Detective Duck The Hideout Walkthrough Guide (Chapter 1)

Detective Duck throws players straight into a late-night mystery where Detective James has suddenly disappeared and escaped prisoner Denim Dan is somehow involved. The Hideout chapter combines stealth mechanics, puzzle solving, item collection, and multiple endings, making it easy to get stuck if you miss a crucial step.

If you’re struggling to find an item, solve a puzzle, or unlock the different endings, this complete walkthrough will guide you through every objective from start to finish.

Starting the Investigation

The chapter begins at 2:59 AM when Detective Duck receives an emergency call from James. After arriving at the police station, something immediately feels wrong.

James is nowhere to be found, his office is in chaos, and Denim Dan appears locked inside a nearby cell.

Before doing anything else, speak with the nearby officer and obtain the Steel Keys.

Use the keys to unlock the prison cell.

Inside the area, pick up:

• Sponge
• Steel Keys (if not already collected)

The sponge seems unimportant at first, but you’ll need it much later, so don’t forget to grab it now.

Avoiding the Security Cameras

After opening the cell, you’ll notice red zones on the floor. These are active camera detection areas.

Walking into the red light will expose your position, so stay clear of them whenever possible.

Head toward the computer terminal and interact with it.

You’ll need to answer a simple question:

What animal is this?

The answer is:

Raccoon

Complete the short minigame to gain access to the system.

Once successful, the security cameras will temporarily shut down, allowing you to safely explore previously restricted areas.

Finding the Batteries

With the cameras disabled, begin searching nearby rooms.

Collect:

• Battery #1
• Battery #2
• Wrench

Be careful because Denim Dan patrols parts of the area. When he gets close, your heartbeat sound increases dramatically, warning you of danger.

Once both batteries are collected, head to the electrical panel.

Insert both batteries to restore power.

After restoring power, a nearby door slowly opens.

Inside you’ll find several important items.

Opening the Maintenance Area

Enter the newly opened room and collect:

• Pipe Wrench
• Steel Rope
• Sledgehammer

You may also notice instructions explaining the upcoming pipe puzzle. While you can read them now, we’ll cover the solution later in this guide.

Equip the sledgehammer and smash the damaged floor section nearby.

Drop through the opening to enter the underground area.

Exploring the Underground Area

Once below, collect the Apple sitting nearby.

Continue through the tunnels while avoiding the laser traps.

Touching the lasers causes damage, so move carefully.

Nearby you’ll also find:

• Shears

After collecting them, return to the upper level.

Disabling the Electricity

Use the wrench to remove the electrical panel cover.

Once open, equip the shears and cut the exposed wires.

Keep cutting until you hear the electrical shutdown sound effect.

Many players think they’ve completed this step after cutting most of the wires, but the puzzle only finishes when the shutdown sound plays. If you don’t hear it, continue interacting until the electricity is fully disabled.

Getting the Pickaxe

Now you’ll reach an area containing a rope mechanism.

A tempting interaction nearby acts as a trap.

Using the wrong rope setup grants a badge but almost always results in getting caught by Denim Dan.

Instead, place the Steel Rope into the correct mechanism.

Pull the rope.

Doing so opens a compartment containing the Pickaxe.

Pick it up immediately.

Breaking Through the Wall

Take the pickaxe to the cracked wall and destroy it.

Behind the wall is one of the chapter’s major puzzles.

You’ll find several colored pipes that must be rotated into the correct positions.

Pipe Puzzle Solution

Set the pipes as follows:

• Yellow: Left
• Red: Left
• Blue: Down
• Green: Right

Once the pipes are correctly aligned, use the Pipe Wrench on the valve.

The mechanism activates and clears the way forward.

Getting the Wheel

You may notice an item submerged in a puddle.

You cannot collect it yet.

Equip the Sponge and clean up the water first.

Once the puddle disappears, you’ll be able to pick up the Wheel.

Although it looks like a wheel, it functions as a door handle.

Install it on the nearby door.

The path ahead will open.

Solving the Bird Puzzle

Climb the ladder and enter the next area.

Here you’ll find:

• Scissors
• Bird

Feed the Apple to the bird.

In exchange, the bird drops a Door Key.

Next, use the scissors on the bottle.

Doing so rewards you with a Plastic Shim.

Use the shim to unlock the nearby door and complete the associated lockpicking minigame.

Obtaining the Handcuffs

After entering the next room, use the Door Key to open the cabinet.

Inside you’ll find the Handcuffs.

This item serves as the final objective needed to confront Denim Dan.

Pick them up and begin heading back through the hideout.

Capturing Denim Dan (Good Ending)

Return to the restricted room marked “No Entry.”

Now that you possess the handcuffs, you can finally confront Denim Dan.

Approach him and use the handcuffs.

A short cutscene follows where Detective Duck successfully arrests the escaped criminal.

Despite Denim Dan promising he’ll return, Detective Duck and James close the case and complete the chapter.

This unlocks the primary ending and officially finishes Chapter 1.

How to Get the Gone Missing Ending

The game also includes an alternate ending.

For most of the chapter, follow the exact same steps as the main walkthrough:

• Obtain the batteries
• Restore power
• Collect the sledgehammer
• Gather the apple
• Disable electricity
• Get the pickaxe
• Solve the pipe puzzle
• Obtain the wheel
• Feed the bird
• Get the key

The major difference comes near the end.

Instead of immediately rescuing James and completing the investigation, continue progressing without properly dealing with the situation.

Eventually a radio broadcast will play.

The news report reveals that both Detective Duck and Steve Chains have gone missing, with authorities naming Denim Dan as the primary suspect.

Detective Duck then realizes he completely forgot about James.

This humorous sequence unlocks the Gone Missing Ending, serving as the chapter’s bad ending route.

All Important Items in The Hideout

To make tracking progress easier, here is every key item you’ll need throughout the chapter:

Item	Purpose
Steel Keys	Open the prison cell
Sponge	Removes water and reveals hidden items
Batteries	Restore power to the electrical system
Wrench	Opens electrical panel
Shears	Cut wires and disable electricity
Steel Rope	Opens pickaxe compartment
Sledgehammer	Breaks the floor
Pickaxe	Breaks the cracked wall
Pipe Wrench	Activates pipe puzzle mechanism
Wheel	Functions as a door handle
Apple	Used to feed the bird
Scissors	Cut bottle to obtain shim
Plastic Shim	Opens locked door
Door Key	Opens cabinet
Handcuffs	Required to arrest Denim Dan

Tips for Completing The Hideout Faster

Watch Your Heartbeat

Whenever Denim Dan is nearby, your heartbeat becomes noticeably louder. Use this audio cue to avoid being surprised.

Disable Cameras Early

The security cameras block access to important areas. Getting computer access should be one of your first priorities.

Keep Every Item

Almost every item collected during the chapter is needed later. Avoid assuming something is useless simply because it doesn’t have an immediate purpose.

Listen for Puzzle Sound Effects

Several objectives, especially the wire-cutting puzzle, rely on sound cues. If you don’t hear the confirmation noise, the objective likely isn’t complete.

Don’t Fall for the Rope Trap

The game intentionally includes a misleading interaction that can earn a badge but often leads to getting caught. Use the Steel Rope in the proper mechanism if you’re trying to complete the chapter normally.

The Hideout is a surprisingly clever opening chapter that mixes detective work, stealth gameplay, and environmental puzzles. Once you know where every item is located and understand the order of objectives, the entire chapter can be completed fairly quickly while unlocking both the good ending and the secret Gone Missing ending.