In Blue Prince, unlocking the Orchard is one of the most rewarding upgrades you can earn and it’s permanent. It might take a little work to get there, but once you open that gate, you’ll gain 20 extra Steps each day, which can make a huge difference in your progress. If you want to solve the puzzle and get that gate open, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through it.
How to Unlock Orchard for Permanent Upgrade
If you head west from the manor, you’ll come across a locked gate near the campsite. To open it, you’ll need to enter a four-digit code. Solving this puzzle involves completing three tasks:
- Find a Magnifying Glass
- Turn on the Dark Room using the Breaker Box
- Examine the photo in the Dark Room
You can do the first two steps in any order, but you’ll need the Dark Room set up before analyzing the photo that’s where the real clue lies. The image holds the unique code you’ll need to unlock the Apple Orchard gate.
As for the Magnifying Glass, you might get lucky and spot one on a desk in either the Parlor or Archives. It’s not guaranteed, but worth checking. Otherwise, you might come across one as a random drop, a reward, or something available in the shop.
How to Unlock Orchard
Once you’ve finished setting up the Dark Room and Utility Closet, head over to the breaker box in the Closet. Turn all the V.A.C. indicators purple to activate them. Then flip the Dark Room switch to turn on the lights in there.
Now, go into the Dark Room and use the Magnifying Glass on the Orchard photo. Look closely you’ll spot a date carved into the tree in the foreground: 1128. That’s your four-digit code for unlocking the Orchard Gate. Opening the gate is a big deal it boosts your daily Steps by 20, which is a huge upgrade.