The Serpent’s Chest stands as one of the most intriguing side mysteries in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, pulling players back to familiar locales for a treasure hunt spanning continents. This optional quest rewards dedicated adventurers with an ancient relic and valuable Adventure Points, but it demands precise exploration and the right equipment. Triggered in Sukhothai’s Voss Camp, the challenge requires collecting three ornate keys hidden in The Vatican, Gizeh, and Shanghai. Our guide breaks down every step, ensuring you navigate flooded chambers and hidden passages without missing a beat.
Discovering the Mystery’s Origin
Your journey begins in the hostile environs of Voss’s Camp within Sukhothai. As Indiana Jones infiltrates this Nazi stronghold—perhaps while pilfering gold—you’ll spot an elaborate chest on a table inside a tent near the southeast entrance. A nearby note from Voss himself hints at the puzzle: the container demands three lost ancient keys from prior expedition sites. Reading this document activates the mystery marker in your journal, setting the stage for global backtracking.
Pro tip: Acquiring the Royal Army uniform disguise simplifies camp traversal, minimizing enemy encounters. However, the quest remains accessible even without it. Before embarking, prioritize purchasing the Rebreather (also called Breathing Device) from Tongdang’s Hut near the village. This gadget is non-negotiable for the submerged sections ahead, allowing extended underwater stays without surfacing.
Essential Preparations Before the Hunt
- Rebreather Acquisition: Head to Tongdang in Sukhothai village. This tool enables deep dives in all key locations.
- Travel Mechanics: Use the Journal’s Travels tab to fast-travel. Always return to a blue revisit point before leaving an area to save progress securely.
- Visual Aids: Toggle visual assistance in settings to highlight interactive objects like movable logs or jars.
- Disguise Utility: The army uniform eases movement in guarded zones, though stealth and combat work too.
With gear in hand, plot your course. The keys aren’t time-sensitive, but methodical collection prevents frustration from forgotten checkpoints.
Retrieving the Vatican Key: Delving into Forbidden Depths
The first key lurks in The Vatican’s excavation site, southeast on the map. Fast-travel there and seek the expansive chamber dominated by a murky pool, overlooked by a crumbling bridge and patrolling guards. A chandelier dangles nearby, hinting at descent routes.
From the site’s entrance, follow this path meticulously:
- Crawl beneath the gate marked with Roman numeral II.
- Descend stairs twice, veering left each time.
- Crawl through a wall hole, then whip-swing to an elevated platform.
- Pass through the door topped with IV.
- Drop down, turn right, and wade cautiously through shallow water, then left.
- Crawl another hole, jump down, veer left under a cross, and continue left to the underground dig site with Blackshirt foes.
- Exit toward the grand chandelier by the shattered bridge; leap into the pool below.
- Dive leftward, activate the Rebreather, and swim the dark tunnel.
Inside, a broken jar cradles the Ancient Vatican Key. Shatter it to claim your prize. The area’s dim lighting challenges visibility—your flashlight and Rebreather prove invaluable here.
Hunting the Gizeh Key: Secrets of the Funerary Temple
Next, venture to Gizeh’s southern dig site at the Funerary Temple of Khentkawes I. Enter the underground temple via the elevator section. Post-elevator, ignore the door with blue cables; instead, climb stairs to a blue power source, then pivot left into the flooded room.
Plunge into the dark pool and scan underwater for a displaceable wooden post blocking a narrow passage. Shift it aside, dive deeper through the revealed hole into a concealed chamber. The Ancient Gizeh Key rests atop a sandy mound, gleaming faintly.
| Landmark | Action | Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| Elevator Corridor | Electrocution room adjacent | Partially submerged navigation |
| Power Source Stairs | Head left to water | Darkness requires light source |
| Underwater Hole | Move wood, dive | Rebreather mandatory |
This retrieval emphasizes puzzle-solving over combat, rewarding observant explorers.
Securing the Shanghai Key: Rooftop River Dive
Shanghai’s key demands rooftop agility culminating in a watery plunge. Retrace paths across broken houses, through flames, and over rooftops toward the fractured bridge by the river. From this vantage, hurl yourself into the currents below.
Dive to the corner, where a wooden barrier obstructs entry. Remove it, slip inside, and snatch the Ancient Shanghai Key. Precision jumping and fire evasion heighten the thrill, echoing Indy’s acrobatic flair.
Returning to Claim the Treasure
Armed with all three keys, fast-travel to Sukhothai’s Voss Camp. The quest marker guides you to the ornate chest in the tent. Interact sequentially: insert each key as prompted, twisting to align mechanisms. The lid springs open, revealing the Ancient Relic—a stunning artifact boosting your Adventure Points tally and marking mystery completion.
Congratulations! This feat unlocks deeper lore ties, enriching the campaign’s narrative tapestry.
Common Hurdles and Pro Tips
Players often stumble on these pitfalls:
- Missing Rebreather: Impossible without it—buy early.
- Progress Loss: Hit blue points before traveling.
- Dark Waters: Max flashlight brightness; use visual aids.
- Enemy Patrols: Disguise or stealth-whip distractions.
For 100% runs, integrate this with main quests to minimize backtracking. Videos confirm these paths work on Very Hard difficulty.
Why Pursue This Mystery?
Beyond loot, the Serpent’s Chest exemplifies the game’s masterful blend of adventure, puzzle, and nostalgia. Revisiting locales breathes new life into chapters, unveiling secrets missed in initial passes. It hones skills in whipping, diving, and stealth—core to Indy’s ethos.
Collector’s editions and patches haven’t altered these steps, ensuring longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need the Rebreather for all keys?
Yes, every key involves underwater sections. Purchase from Tongdang first.
Can I start without Voss Camp infiltration?
The note triggers upon discovery, accessible anytime post-Sukhothai arrival.
What reward awaits?
An Ancient Relic plus Adventure Points for upgrades.
Is there a map for keys?
Journal marks approximate spots; our paths provide exact routes.
Works on all difficulties?
Affirmed on Very Hard; scales universally.
Advanced Strategies for Completionists
Pair with nearby collectibles: Vatican note scraps, Gizeh artifacts, Shanghai letters. Time dives to evade patrols. Speedrunners note elevator skips in Gizeh for efficiency.
This mystery elevates Indiana Jones and the Great Circle as a premier action-adventure, demanding wits over brawn. Embark now and etch your name in archaeological legend.
References
- How to open The Serpent’s Chest in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle — GameSpot. 2024-12-06. https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/indiana-jones-great-circle-serpents-chest/2900-6061/
- Indiana Jones And The Great Circle: The Serpent’s Chest Mystery — GameRant. 2024-12-06. https://gamerant.com/indiana-jones-great-circle-the-serpent-chest-mystery-vatican-gizeh-shanghai-ancient-key-location/
- The Serpent’s Chest – Indiana Jones and the Great Circle — YouTube (Video Guide). 2024-12-06.
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Serpent’s Chest Guide — Hardcore Gamer. 2024-12-06. https://hardcoregamer.com/indiana-jones-and-the-great-circle-vosss-serpent-chest-mystery-guide/
- The Serpents Chest Guide in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle — YouTube (Video Guide). 2024-12-06.

