Help- Hibiscus Heights - stuck trying to find the number

[reillyd]

I'm just playing the demo, and am blown away by the story, graphics, and gameplay.
But I'm finding parts of it very difficult, and not very intuitive (I may be stoopid!)
I've called the ship using my communicator, and I need the number for the Hibiscus Heights hotel, as I can't get a room number out of the clerk. I tried for nearly twenty minutes knocking and talking to every door, but no-one would answer except for a guy on the top floor, who only kept saying "is somebody there?"   There doesn't seem to be an option to say "yes, i'm here, open the door" :;(

Can someone help me out, or alternately is there a walkthrough for the NEXT time I get stuck? I'd buy this game in a heartbeat, but don't want to start a game I'll never be able to finish. I'm kind of bright, and never had this problem with Sierra 

[DaveGilbert]

Spoilers below!

There are some business cards on the lobby desk

That should help you get the phone number.

If it's any consolation, Steve Ince (of Broken Sword fame) got stuck here too.

-Dave

[reillyd]

Thanks for the tip. I'm feeling doubly stupid though, as even with the correct room number no-body is home, lock picks don't work, and I can't see what "Maybe there's another way I can get into his room" is hinting at.

I don't know whether its just me, or that the difficlty of this is greater than say a Sierra classic. But gee I'm enjoying the atmosphere of the game, the graphics, and the old point and click style interface

[SamCarterX]

Hint:
I've found balconies are a useful point of entry.


Another Hint:
Maybe those lock picks will work next door?

[reillyd]

Thanks for the hint. I'd already tried the window "I'm not that desperate", but never thought to try next door. After climing over the balcony, I broke in with a stick, only to be shot by the police before I ever reach Matthius's data console.

The game is excellent first rate, I just seem to be really struggling 

[DaveGilbert]

There are a few ways past this.

You can:

Hide behind the door so you are blocked from their view when they come in

or:

go back outside and hide on the balcony above

[reillyd]

Thanks Dave, that worked a treat

This game is getting better and better.

[Rognik]

I guess I got lucky here, then. After randomly trying to find the apartment, I found the cards in the lobby and out of desperation, tried calling my buddy. It's kind of funny if you make the call while in the lobby, too. Only place I got stuck in the demo is after the stick got stuck in the door.

Also, I ran all the way next door when they tried to break in. Maybe I'll reply and try those other solutions.