Rhem II is a game for visual puzzles and the occasional audio puzzle. There's no real dialog, just puzzles and pictograms (which might be a clue to another puzzle). If you need a partial map and more hints, check out my guide. Most of the fun is figuring out just what the puzzles are in the first place. Each puzzle brings you a little bit closer to re-starting the systems in this strange, deserted complex and finding a way to get out. The Rhem series was released over the past decade and a half. There is a loose plot that links the four Rhem games together, but you don't have to play them in order. I'd recommend skipping Rhem I and trying any of II-through-IV first (the game play of Rhem I is not nearly as smooth as the others, if you like the series you can always go back). Although Rhem II is as good a place to start as any to see if you really like the series. The general thread is that you are searching for some items in a mysterious, hidden complex (and have to find your way back out!) This game doesn't support SteamSynch. The graphics are simple and in a limited color palette (Rhem II dates to 2005). The colors are muted (it is an abandoned, dilapidated complex) and there is limited animation but this doesn't detract from the game.

This is a game for puzzles. There's very little hand holding here -- you really need to walk around and explore the game world. Taking screenshots, notes and mapping are essential (I use a smart phone). The puzzles do not have directions spelled out -- most of the fun is figuring out just what the objective of puzzle is , or even if something is a puzzle (why is there a button there?). I recommend taking screenshots of the puzzles because sometimes you will find a clue and realize that it relates to a puzzle all the way back on the other end of the complex (I've had issues with the steam in-game screenshot hotkey with this, so I just use the Win snip app or a smartphone). Other times a puzzle needs a clue that you just haven't reached yet. Even the slightest detail in a scene might be a clue, like numbers, buttons or wires (where do they lead?). Look everywhere for clues -- up, down, behind doors... nothing is off limits.

You need to have your sound on because when you push a button or enter a code it helps to hear the difference between the "it doesn't work" buzz (like a game show contestant getting the wrong answer) and the "it works" ding (like a microwave). Also being able to differentiate a small green light from a small red one helps too (later games have color pickers to help with this).

There are no jump scares, nudity or violence in any of the Rhem games. They are puzzle entertainment for all ages.

I spent several weeks stumped on a particular puzzle. There were three parts to it, and even though two were staring me in the face it didn't click for a long time. This is why it's best to resist the urge to go to the walkthrough. This is a game to be savored, for puzzle fans everywhere.

Just when you solve a puzzle and open what you think is the final door... you see a whole new wing of the complex with puzzles waiting to be solved. By the time you are done, you'll know the layout of the complex better than that of your neighborhood and have typed in some passcodes so many times that you know them better than Jenny's number 867-5309. By the time you've solved everything, the achievement will leave you full of relief and excitement like you won the Stanley Cup. This is again why I recommend avoiding the gameboomers.com walkthrough until you have been puzzling as much as you can.

I've completed three play-throughs (one from when I got the game on CD, twice with the Steam edition). Highly recommended and a few dozen hours of enjoyment for a decent price!

I played this on Win 10 and had no issues.
If you need a partial map and some hints to get you started, check out my guide!

Edit for the Steam Special Edition (Rhem II SE): There's an additional area that wasn't part of the original Rhem II but has been added for the SE. Towards the end of the game it may not be entirely clear if you are getting clues that you need to solve the game, or ones for the optional SE area. There's a "Gameplay Hints" discussion thread that might be useful.

Edit: True story, I am playing this again and loaded a saved game after a break. I went to a location where I had to enter a code to get something, and each time I entered the code the door wouldn't open. I checked things again, went over my notes in case I had made an error, typed the code again, but still nothing. I ended up starting the game from the beginning, only to realize that the code had worked the first time I entered it and got the item behind the door (I did this before I saved, and promptly forgot that I had done it already). Because I had the item already, the game wouldn't let me open the door anymore. Oops. YMMV