- What to know
- Simple Lock requirements and lockpick
- Location of Simple Lock in RE9
- How to get the Level 1 ID Wristband
- How to access the Lead Researcher’s Office
- How to unlock the Simple Lock in the Chairman’s Office
- Rewards from unlocking the Simple Lock
- Trophy unlocked: Like Mother, Like Daughter
- Rewards summary
- Combat considerations during this process
- Why you shouldn’t skip this lock in the early game
- Progressing with ID Wristband
What to know
- The Simple Lock is located inside the Chairman’s Office in the Care Center.
- You need a Lockpick from the Lead Researcher’s Office to open it.
- Access to that office requires the Level 1 ID Wristband.
- Unlocking it grants Rare Metal and the “Like Mother, Like Daughter” trophy.
During the “Escape the care center” objective in Resident Evil 9 Requiem, you’ll come across a locked drawer labeled “Simple Lock” inside the Chairman’s Office. While it isn’t mandatory for story progression, unlocking it is worthwhile for both crafting and completion purposes. The process involves multiple steps tied to security clearance and exploration, so here’s everything you need to know in detail.
Simple Lock requirements and lockpick
| Step | Requirement | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Defeat or survive Chunk | Alley behind Nurse’s Station | Access corpse with ID |
| 2 | Obtain Level 1 ID Wristband | Dead body in alley | Level 1 security clearance |
| 3 | Enter Lead Researcher’s Office | Level 1 secured door | Access Lockpick |
| 4 | Collect Lockpick | Lead Researcher’s Office | Unlock Simple Lock |
| 5 | Open Simple Lock | Chairman’s Office | Rare Metal + Trophy |
Location of Simple Lock in RE9
The Simple Lock is inside the Chairman’s Office within the Care Center section of the map. It appears as a locked drawer near the office entrance. You’ll likely encounter it while navigating between the Gallery and Central Hall areas as part of the broader objective to unlock the central hall door.

When you first find it, you won’t be able to open it without a Lockpick. This sets off a short chain of backtracking and item collection.
How to get the Level 1 ID Wristband
Before you can even access the Lockpick, you need Level 1 clearance.
Step 1
Head to the Nurse’s Station in the Care Center.

Step 2
From the Nurse’s Station, move into the alleyway located directly behind it.

Step 3
Prepare for combat. This area triggers an encounter with the Chunk enemy. He is aggressive and can quickly overwhelm you if you are low on resources.

Step 4
After dealing with Chunk—either by defeating him or safely maneuvering past him—search the dead body in the alley.
Step 5
Loot the corpse to obtain the ID Wristband (Level 1). This grants clearance to Level 1 locked doors in the Care Center.

The wristband is a key progression item. Without it, several rooms remain inaccessible.
How to access the Lead Researcher’s Office
With the Level 1 ID Wristband equipped, you can now access secured rooms.
Step 1
Locate the Level 1 locked door that leads to the Lead Researcher’s Office.

Step 2
Interact with the security panel. The Level 1 ID Wristband automatically grants access.
Step 3
Enter the Lead Researcher’s Office and explore thoroughly.
This room also functions as a relatively safe area, often including a Save Point nearby. Take advantage of this opportunity to organize your inventory and prepare for backtracking.

The Lockpick is found inside the Lead Researcher’s Office. Search desks, shelves, and interactive objects within the office. Locate and collect the Lockpick item.
Confirm the Lockpick appears in your key item inventory.
This item is required specifically for Simple Lock mechanisms in the Care Center.

How to unlock the Simple Lock in the Chairman’s Office
Now that you have the Lockpick, return to the Chairman’s Office.
Step 1
Navigate back to the Chairman’s Office. Approach the locked drawer labeled “Simple Lock” near the entrance.

Step 2
Interact with the drawer. Use the Lockpick when prompted.

The lock will open instantly without any additional puzzle mechanics.
Step 5
Collect the item inside the drawer.

You will receive Rare Metal.
Rewards from unlocking the Simple Lock
Rare Metal is a crafting material described as a pile of titanium and zirconium. It is used in ammunition crafting.
Specifically, it can be combined with infected blood to create 12.7x55mm ammo. This ammo type is particularly valuable for high-damage weapons later in the game, making Rare Metal a useful resource rather than simple vendor trash.
If you are conserving materials for stronger encounters, this item has real long-term value.

Trophy unlocked: Like Mother, Like Daughter
When you successfully open the Simple Lock, you will also unlock the “Like Mother, Like Daughter” achievement.
This trophy carries narrative significance, referencing the connection between Alyssa and Grace. It reinforces story elements tied to lineage and shared traits between the characters.
For completionists aiming for 100% achievements, this lock is essential.
Rewards summary
| Reward | Type | Function | Importance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rare Metal | Crafting Material | Used to craft 12.7x55mm ammo | High |
| Like Mother, Like Daughter | Trophy | Story-related achievement | Required for 100% completion |
Combat considerations during this process
The most dangerous part of this sequence is the Chunk encounter in the alley behind the Nurse’s Station. If you’re low on ammunition or healing items, consider preparing before triggering that area.
Because you will already be working on unlocking the Central Hall door, it’s efficient to complete this objective during that same exploration loop. This minimizes unnecessary backtracking and enemy respawns.
You should also take advantage of the Save Point near the Lead Researcher’s Office before returning to the Chairman’s Office. That way, if something goes wrong, you won’t need to repeat the entire chain.
Why you shouldn’t skip this lock in the early game
Although optional for progression, the Simple Lock provides:
- A valuable crafting material
- A trophy tied to story lore
- A satisfying exploration payoff
If you’re playing methodically and clearing rooms as you go, this is an easy objective to complete with meaningful rewards.
Progressing with ID Wristband
Unlocking the Simple Lock in the Care Center is a straightforward but layered task. You must secure the Level 1 ID Wristband from the alley behind the Nurse’s Station, use it to enter the Lead Researcher’s Office, collect the Lockpick, and return to the Chairman’s Office. In return, you gain Rare Metal for crafting and the “Like Mother, Like Daughter” achievement, adding both mechanical and narrative value to your playthrough.
If you’re aiming for full exploration and completion, this is one side objective you definitely want to finish.