The Red Idol puzzle in The Sinking City 2 can be confusing because the statue contains several unusual figures and objects, while the riddle deliberately describes each one indirectly. Rather than simply shooting the visible targets in any obvious order, you need to interpret the clues and follow their sequence. The game released on August 18, 2026, and continues Frogwares’ shift toward a more focused survival-horror structure built around exploration, combat, investigation, and environmental puzzles.
| Puzzle detail | Solution |
|---|---|
| Puzzle | The Red Idol |
| Main objective | Solve the Cryptic Riddle |
| Number of targets | 5 |
| First target | Kneeling mother |
| Second target | Octopus |
| Third target | Kneeling guard |
| Fourth target | Hourglass |
| Fifth target | Laden jar |
| Main reward | Ice Heart |
| Next objective | Place the Ice Heart in the icy basement statue |
| Additional item | Depleted Leyden Jar |
How to read the Red Idol’s cryptic riddle in Sinking City 2
The clue appears as a document titled Cryptic Riddle. It tells you that the person seeking the prize must prove they are the one Jessamine spoke of, then describes the Red Idol through a series of deliberately obscure references.
The important part of the riddle is the sequence of objects it describes. Each line points toward one of the interactive targets attached to the statue. You do not need to work out a numerical code; instead, you need to identify what each poetic description represents and shoot those targets in the same order they appear.
The statue can look especially intimidating because several of its limbs hold different figures or objects. The accompanying image makes the intended targets easier to distinguish, with five locations marked around the idol.
Red Idol puzzle solution in Sinking City 2
The first clue refers to the mother’s prayer. The line describes calling upon the mother’s prayer, which corresponds to the small kneeling mother figure positioned on the left side of the idol. This is the first target.
The second clue describes the sea and how it “did only glare.” This points toward the octopus attached to the upper portion of the statue. Shoot the octopus after dealing with the mother’s figure.
The third clue mentions a god being asked to bend the knee. This is the kneeling guard figure on the lower-left side of the statue. It is the third target in the sequence.
The fourth clue says that time itself would prove the key. This is a direct reference to the hourglass, which is positioned on the upper-right side of the statue. Shoot it fourth.
The final clue describes holding the spark and finding a sister in the ice. This points to the laden jar on the right side of the idol. It is the fifth and final target.
The sequence shown in the puzzle walkthrough is therefore:
| Order | Riddle clue | Target |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mother’s prayer | Kneeling mother |
| 2 | Sea’s glare | Octopus |
| 3 | Bend the knee | Kneeling guard |
| 4 | Time’s key | Hourglass |
| 5 | Spark sacrifice | Laden jar |
How to get Ice Heart and Leyden Jar in Sinking City 2
Step 1
If the targets were shot in the correct order, the Red Idol will react and crumble apart. Once the statue has collapsed, search the remains and collect the Ice Heart.
Step 2
Take the Ice Heart to the icy basement area. Locate the corresponding statue or receptacle and interact with it to place the Ice Heart inside.
Step 3
After placing the Ice Heart, collect the resulting Depleted Leyden Jar. This item is needed to continue your progression through the area and advance the story.
The Red Idol is a compact example of The Sinking City 2 combining its Lovecraftian atmosphere with environmental puzzle solving. Once you understand what each line of the Cryptic Riddle represents, the solution is Mother, Octopus, Guard, Hourglass, Jar. Completing that sequence gives you the Ice Heart and opens the way to the Depleted Leyden Jar in the icy basement.
Red Idol puzzle rewards in Sinking City 2
| Reward | How to obtain it | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Ice Heart | Complete the five-target statue sequence | Used with the basement statue |
| Depleted Leyden Jar | Place the Ice Heart in the corresponding icy basement statue | Progression item |
The Red Idol puzzle does not require a complicated combination or hidden inventory item to solve. The key is simply interpreting the five riddle clues in order and shooting their matching targets without changing the sequence.
Video help:
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