The Problem

The laser lab puzzle in Cascade Labs makes no sense. I keep adjusting reflectors and nothing happens.

The Solution

The Laser Lab is in the Adjustment Wing of Cascade Labs, behind some strange webbing you need to burn off first. The puzzle goal is redirecting a green laser beam into a purple orb to open a portal to Rise. Laser Reflectors redirect the beam based on their position and orientation — you need to place them on elevated surfaces like trash bins, filing cabinets, or stacked crates to get the correct angle. The positioning is fiddly. Now here is the shortcut: if you have an Energy Pistol (see weapon crafting guide), you can just shoot the purple orb directly and it completes the puzzle without any reflectors at all. The puzzle is optional and not required for story progression. Solving it opens a portal to Rise, which has renewable Medkits and healing items.

Step-by-Step

1. Enter the Laser Lab in the Adjustment Wing after burning the webbing off the entrance.
2. Place a Laser Reflector on an elevated surface like a trash bin or filing cabinet.
3. Adjust the reflector angle so the green beam hits the purple orb.
4. Alternative shortcut: shoot the purple orb directly with the Energy Pistol.
5. Solving the puzzle opens a portal to Rise for renewable Medkit farming (see farming guide).

Common Mistakes

• Placing the reflector on the floor where the angle cannot reach the orb.
• Spending 30 minutes on fiddly reflector positioning when the Energy Pistol shortcut is available.
• Assuming the puzzle is required for story progression.