Hints for Jeffrey Jetsam
The following are hints for when you are stuck on my game Jeffrey Jetsam. I've tried to make the game as fair as possible so I hope you don't get stuck. But if you can't figure out how to progress, get a hint below. The hints are hidden until you click the "Gimme a hint" button to ensure it doesn't spoil the game by showing you only the hints you want to see.
Tasks
Miscellaneous
Jetsam? Flotsam? What are those?
"Flotsam" is something left floating on the water after a shipwreck or accident. "Jetsam" is something deliberately thrown overboard when a ship is in distress.
How did I end up on this island?
Jeffrey had so annoyed his fellow cruise passengers that he got tossed overboard. Now you know why he's called "Jeffrey Jetsam"
What is that disembodied voice?
That's the narrator of the game. Jeffrey can't resist arguing with him. Did I tell you Jeffrey could be a tad annoying?
What do I need to do to get off this island?
Write a message in a bottle, and toss it into the ocean.
And how can I accomplish that?
As Jeffrey said during the opening cutscene, you'll need four things: a bottle, some paper, a pen, and ink to write with.
Why am I carrying a mallet?
Why not?
How is it needed?
It's not. Every one of the things you can use the mallet for have alternate solutions. But I firmly believe any adventure game can soar to absolute greatness through the inclusion of at least one gratuitous blunt instrument.
What do I do when I have all these items?
Jeffrey will write his letter, and you will have won the game. Enjoy the ending, and be sure to stick around for the credits to get one final gag.
Why is there an abstract painting sticking out of the sand?
I've placed a reference to Piet Mondriaan's artwork "Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow" in all of my adventure games as a bit of an easter egg ever since Mission: SPECTRUM. At this point, I'm legally obligated.
Can I just take the sword?
It belonged to the pirate before he expired. Just take it. He won't object... much.
That (Formerly) Mighty Pirate™ looks familiar.
He's an obvious homage to Guybrush Threepwood from Monkey Island 2.
That's awful! You can't just kill off a beloved iconic character like that!
If it makes you feel any better, we'll just say this was some dweeb cosplaying as Guybrush. The sort of person who leaves empty milk cartons in the fridge. A true menace to society.
Can I die in this game?
Only from embarrassment if you end up needing all of the hints on this page.
Obtaining paper
Where do I find a sheet of paper?
You might want to check the crate floating off the island shore on the right side of the island.
How do I reach that?
You can't swim over there, but you could fashion yourself an item to help you pull it to shore.
What item would that be?
A makeshift grappling hook would be useful.
And how do I make one of those?
A grappling hook is literally a hook tied to a rope. Those are the two items you'll need.
Where do I get a magnet?
There is no magnet in this game. This is just a bogus hint to make it a bit less obvious what the real answer is just by skimming the questions.
Where do I get a rope?
There isn't a rope as such, but if you could get your hands on the pirate flag, Jeffrey's clumsiness might prove useful.
Where do I get a rake?
This is another decoy question. There are no rakes in this game.
Where do I get a hook?
The (Formerly) Mighty Pirate™ has a hook for a hand. You can simply take it off him..
How do I get the flag?
You can't reach it from the ground, not even with the sword. Get a bit closer.
How can I get closer?
You can topple the big rock, then stand on it.
How does one form a ramp?
Topple the big rock by pushing it or giving it a big ole whack with the mallet.
How does any of that get me paper?
There is a packing slip in the crate. Once you have created the grappling hook by combining the string and the hook, use it to bring the crate to shore and take the contents. This also yields you an umbrella.
Obtaining a pen
So where is my Sharpie?
No such luxury here. You might be able to obtain a quill though.
How would I source one of those?
Quills are feathers. They're commonly provided by birds. Did you notice the seagull that keeps circling over your head?
How do I bring that down?
Nothing attracts seagulls as much as food does. They're known to steal fish from others. Catching one could help lure the seagull down to you.
But I don't have a net?
Indeed you don't. But there's other ways of catching a fish. Most people would use a fishing rod.
Let me guess, I need to craft one?
You're catching on. And if you have a hook, some string, and something rod-like, you might catch a fish too.
Where do I get those items?
If you have retrieved the paper from the crate, you will have what you need.
How does having the paper help me?
What other object did you retrieve from the crate the paper was in?
What can I do with that?
Try attaching the grappling hook to the umbrella to combine them into a makeshift fishing rod.
Then what?
Use the improvised fishing rod on the ocean. Somehow, even without bait, Jeffrey manages to catch a fish. The seagull swoops in to grab your freshly caught fish, dropping a feather in the process. There's your quill.
Obtaining ink
Ink? Where do I find that on a desert island?
Not actually on the island, but just off its shore. You did see the octopus, didn't you?
Okay, that was obvious, but how do I get it to volunteer some ink?
That's easy enough, as it is quite ill-tempered and will squirt ink in your face at the slightest provocation. You just need to find a way to catch it
Catch it? How?
You would need a container of some sorts. Something bowl-shaped would be good.
There is nothing like that on the island... Let me guess... I need to make it myself?
Of course you do. Half of a coconut would make for a nice bowl shape.
How do I get a coconut?
As luck would have it, there's a palm tree on the island. A big whack with the mallet or the sword will do it, and literally break the fourth wall.
Got it. Now what?
Use the sword to chop it in half.
Can I somehow fill that with ink?
Use it to provoke the octopus. Jeffrey will do the rest.
Obtaining a bottle
I see the bottle, but how do I get it down?
Notice there is an opening just behind it.
Yes, I saw, but how does that help?
Did you also notice that you can play whack-a-mole with the gopher, using either the sword or the mallet?
That doesn't bring down the bottle
No, because the gopher keeps going to the other hole in the sand. As long as it can, it has no reason to go to the higher opening.
So how do I stop it from going there?
Put a plug in the unoccupied hole. Then the gopher has no choice but to go to the higher opening.
What could I possibly use to close that off?
You could use something large and round to plug the hole.
There are no melons on this island.
No, but there are coconuts. THere's no way you can have overlooked the palm tree on the island.
So how do I get one of those?
Give the palm tree a good whack with the mallet or the sword and take the coconuts. That'll fit nicely.