The Phase Emitter Quest Line - Dr. Navarro's Research
Dr. Navarro was an Async physicist who became trapped in the Backrooms. Rather than succumb to despair, he spent his time researching the nature of this place and developing technology to escape. His logs, scattered throughout the Backrooms, guide players through a major quest line - the discovery and assembly of the Phase Emitter.
Following Navarro's trail is one path to progression in Transliminal, ultimately leading to The Heart of Electrics and the Gateway that may offer a way home.
The first encounter with Dr. Navarro's work occurs in Level 0, in a hidden room accessible only through a crawlspace.
While exploring Level 0, locate a crawlspace entrance - a small opening near floor level. Crouch and enter to reach a hidden chamber below.
This room is also one of the first places where players commonly find The Sketchbook.
If you haven't already obtained the Sketchbook, grab it here. You'll need it to collect the document that explains how to operate the Phase Emitter.
On a computer monitor, there is a note taped to the screen. With the Sketchbook in your inventory, interact with it to collect the document.
This note explains that the Phase Emitter needs power - specifically, you must use the computer's console to supply the capacitor with power and execute a test fire.
There's a problem: the Phase Emitter has no Navarro Ultra Capacitor installed.
Look around the room. In the corner, there is a dead Duller slouched against the wall. In its hand is a gold pocket watch. Loot it.
"Must be broken..." - Victor, examining the pocket watch stuck at 3:33, the same second repeating endlessly.
Between the dead Duller's legs, there is a glowing electrical component. This is the Navarro Ultra Capacitor. Collect it.
Install the Navarro Ultra Capacitor into the Phase Emitter. Then interact with the computer keyboard to initiate the test fire.
After the test fire completes, you can collect your first Phase Gun module.
There are two ways to exit:
There is a pitch-black hole in the floor blocked by two barricades. These can be removed with:
• A Hammer (if you have one)
• The Phase Gun (shoot the boards to dissolve them)
Jumping into the hole will drop you into a random level.
Across from the hole, there is a wall covered in spiral drawings. Shooting this wall with the Phase Gun will dissolve it, revealing an exit door.
This door leads to a random level accessible via the standard door entry method.
Once you have collected your first Phase Gun module, a critical change occurs in the game world: the Electrics Key will now begin spawning on key racks throughout the Backrooms.
Keys spawn on Key Racks located in:
• Level 0 broom closets and small offices
• Loot nooks in The Pipes
• Side rooms in Level 1
Once you have the Electrics Key, travel to The Pipes. Your compass will point toward the Electrics gate. Follow it, unlock the gate, and enter The Electrics.
Once inside The Electrics, your compass will update to point toward The Heart of Electrics - Dr. Navarro's hidden laboratory and the central hub of the game.
For complete information about The Heart of Electrics, including the Gateway, Quantum Anchor, and all hub amenities, see: The Heart of Electrics
The Gateway requires 7 Phase Emitter modules to fully power. Each module is found in a different location throughout the Backrooms, often guarded or hidden behind puzzles.
Installing all 7 modules and activating the Gateway with maximum power unlocks the true ending.
See also: Endings for information about all possible conclusions to Victor's journey.