Welcome to Into Indie Games’ complete walkthrough for Rooster.
It’s a wholesome point-and-click adventure game where you play as a Rooster who gets transported through time to ancient China after making Rabbit cry at the Lunar New Year’s Eve party. Now, he must make amends with all 12 Zodiac Animals as he travels through time, watching a human named Little Dove grow up.
The game features 12 levels, each with a unique puzzle or mini-game that you must complete before you can make it back to the Lunar New Year’s Eve party in your own timeline. In this walkthrough, we’ll guide you through all 12 levels and show you the puzzles you’ll face along the way.
For more information about Rooster, check out its official website here.
Table of contents
Prologue
The game begins with a short cutscene. The 12 Zodiac Animals gather for their annual Lunar New Year’s Eve Party. But because of Rooster‘s unruly behavior, Dragon creates a powerful potion that sends Rooster back to Ancient China.
When the cutscene ends, you’ll find Rooster lying flat on the ground. He doesn’t know where he is yet.
Once the cutscene ends, you’ll have to help Rooster learn about the unfamiliar place by observing the environment. To do that, click on the Scrolls with a question mark on the wall.
Clicking on a Scroll reveals the information contained in it. You can move left or right by clicking on the arrows on the edge of the screen to find more Scrolls.
Once you’ve read enough of the wall Scrolls, a new Scroll drops from the sky onto Rooster’s head. Click on it.
Reading the Scroll tells you all you need to know about Rooster’s current predicament. Close the Scroll when you’re done.
After closing the Scroll, a dialogue event pops up. A couple with a baby in their arms shows up. Head to the center of the area and click on the Rat near them.
The Rat runs off, and Rooster chases after him, ending the Prologue.
Level 1 – Rat
On Rooster’s quest to make amends, Rat is the first Zodiac Animal you’ll encounter.
Rat closes the door on Rooster’s face. When given the option, choose Wait, I have an idea! Rooster’s bright idea is to make an Apology Basket to get Rat to open the door.
This will take you to the pantry. There are a variety of food items spread throughout the pantry. You’ll have to select the ones you need to fill up the Apology Basket.
The items you’ll need for the quest are marked with an exclamation sign at the bottom toolbar. But you can collect the other food items as well. Remember to check all the drawers in the cabinet.
If you find the objects quickly, you can increase the Combo shown in the bottom-left corner of the screen. Once you find all the hidden objects, the section will end.
Next, you have to set up the Apology Basket. To do so, simply click on all the objects on the screen until the basket is full.
With this thoughtful gesture from Rooster, Rat finally opens the door. But he is still mad. Run through their conversation, and Rat eventually softens up. He also gives you a Sticky Tree Sap. You don’t know this yet, but it’ll come in handy soon enough.
Level 2 – Ox
The next Zodiac Animal you’ll have to make up to is the Ox. When you find him, Little Dove has grown up quite a bit.
Let the dialogue play out, and Ox will ask for your help gathering things for Little Dove while his Mother is lying down. Rooster thinks Little Dove is up to something bad, but Ox tells him to get moving.
Your task here is simple:
- Click on the hay around Ox to remove them, revealing the item underneath.
- Click on the objects to collect them.
Once you pick up enough objects, you can either interrogate Ox or keep searching for more clues. To move on, choose the interrogate option.
Eventually, Ox will ask if you figured out what Little Dove is hiding. Choose whichever option you prefer.
Ox accidentally steps on a piece of paper, tearing it into pieces. Your task now is to put it back together. Luckily, the Sticky Tree Sap from Rat is the perfect tool for the job!
For the next section, you’ll have to drag the paper pieces into their correct position. Then glue them together to solve the mystery of Little Dove‘s secret.
You’ll want to glue the pieces as soon as you place them, one at a time. Occasionally, Ox will fart, which will cause the unglued paper pieces to fly off to the edge of the screen.
To glue the paper pieces, pick up the brush, dip it into the Sticky Tree Sap container, then click on the paper pieces you’ve placed down.
Once you fix the page, you’ll learn that Little Dove is arranging a birthday party for his mom. But he couldn’t have done it without your help!
With that, you’ve made amends with Ox. He’ll send you off with a Golden Egg.
Level 3 – Tiger
The next Zodiac Animal is the Tiger. You’ll have to play the matchmaker for this task and help Little Dove choose a wife.
There are 11 suitors, and you’ll have to guide Little Dove through a series of Dates until you find the perfect match for him. Click on one of the suitors to get started.
Guide him through the date by choosing the dialogue option you prefer. Only one of the suitors will be right for Little Dove, sparking an instant chemistry.
Keep going through the dates until you find the perfect girl for him. The name of the girl is Shan Shan.
Give the Golden Egg to Shan Shan to prove that she can bring something valuable to the marriage. Tiger will be pleased and give you the Refreshingly Cold Beverage.
Level 4 – Rabbit
After successfully playing the matchmaker, you will reach the Rabbit. Little Dove and Shan Shan just had their fourth baby, and Rabbit is making a soup for the happy family.
You have to help pick the right ingredients. You’ll get the following clues during the conversation with Rabbit:
- Healing, nutritious ingredients like ginger and carrots.
- Aromatics like onion
- Things that will add flavour, like goji berries, jujubes, and salt.
- Water
After the conversation, you’ll be back in the kitchen. Pick the ingredients marked in the image above.
While tasting the soup, Rabbit‘s mouth catches on fire. Offer Tiger’s Refreshingly Cold Beverage to Rabbit.
Despite the minor hiccups, the family loves Rabbit’s delicious soup. You’ve made up with Rabbit and got the Frozen Wontons as your reward.
Level 5 – Dragon
Dragon is already impressed with the progress Rooster has made, but he must complete his journey before he can go back to his time. For Dragon‘s task, Rooster must help Little Dove with cooking dinner for the family.
This is a simple task. All you have to do is keep the temperature of the stove perfect by pressing either the cold or hot button at the top of your screen. But remember, Dragon and Rooster can get chatty if you’re not paying attention to the fire.
Keep cooking the meals with Dragon one after the other. When given the option, give him the Frozen Wontons you got from Rabbit.
He’ll thank you for all your help and reward you with a Jade Feather that grants its user the ability to fly.
Level 6 – Snake
This will bring you to Snake, who is looking after Little Dove’s youngest grandchild. The problem is, the child is overly curious and always getting into dangerous situations, making Snake’s job harder. Your job is to help Snake look after the baby as it moves through the market.
You’ll have to use Snake’s shapeshifting ability to protect the baby from the hazards along the marketplace. Whenever the baby is near a dangerous situation, you’ll have to choose one out of three shapes to protect Snake and the baby.
I’ve listed the correct shapes below along with the hazards:
| Hazard | Correct Shape |
|---|---|
| Falling in with the fish | Hammock |
| Falling ladder | Slide |
| Falling Lantern | Arch |
| Disturbing the Sculptor | Lasso |
| Puddle on the bridge | Ball |
| Riding Turtles | Lasso |
| Broken Tapot | Bridge |
| Hot pan | Lasso |
| Egging | Arch |
With all the hazards completed, the baby steals a plate of food from the restaurant. The butcher chases after the baby as it climbs up the tree. When given the option, use the Jade Feather.
Rooster will carry the baby and Snake and fly off to safety.
You’ve helped Snake fulfill his babysitting duties. He gives you a Magic Lantern before sending you on your way.
Level 7 – Horse
It’s Shan Shan’s birthday and the whole family is here to celebrate. This is where you find Horse, who wants to maintain the joy of the place. You decide to help out.
For this task, you’ll have to craft items requested by the friends and family of Little Dove. You’ll see the request at the bottom of the screen. You’ll have to select a certain number of items from the toolbar to craft an item that fulfills the request.
Since the request changes on each playthrough, you’ll have to figure out the solution to the requests on your own. For example, to fulfil the request in the image above, you’ll need the Tools and Male Carpenter.
Keep fulfilling the requests. When Horse asks if you want to keep going, choose to stop instead.
Eventually the lights will go out. Give Horse the Magic Lantern to keep the party going. You managed to brighten up the party. Take the Wax and Seal Kit from Horse and move on to the next Zodiac Animal.
Level 8 – Goat
You find yourself watching Little Dove from afar with Goat. He’s old now, but has a large family full of children. When given the option, go in and see Little Dove with Goat.
Run through the conversation, and eventually, you’ll have to collect items for Little Dove before he falls asleep. You’ll have to be quick and find the item Little Dove wants.
If he falls asleep, click on him to wake him up, and he’ll request a new item.
Once all the requests are fulfilled, you’ll have to help Goat finish Little Dove‘s will. Grab the items on the right and place them in the blank spot under the object names in the will.
Give Goat the Wax and Seal Kit to seal the will.
With that done, we’re ready to move on to the next Zodiac Animal. You’ll get the Extraordinary Cutting Tool from Goat.
Level 9 – Monkey
Little Dove has reached the end of his earthly journey and is surrounded by loving family members. Monkey needs your help crafting Joss Paper Offerings to prepare him for the afterlife.
This task is straightforward. Just grab the Scissors and click on the paper to craft a Joss Paper Offering.
When given the option, say you want to stop here. Monkey will take over, and you can move on to the next section.
Run through the dialogue and let Little Dove pass through the doorway.
Use the Extraordinary Cutting Tool from Goat to make the doorway bigger so that Little Dove isn’t alone as he steps to the other side.
Burn the Joss Paper Offerings by grabbing the matchstick and clicking on the paper objects.
When given the option, choose “I can’t do this anymore“. Click on the Magical Blanket left on Little Dove.
Level 10 – Dog
After the emotional farewell, Rooster starts walking. He’s sad and just wants to go home at this point. Soon you’ll hear the sound of someone barking. A few steps past, you’ll find Dog waiting for you. Run through his dialogue, and soon he’ll ask for your help.
He’ll take you to Lin Lin, the baby that you protected with Snake. She’s all grown up now, but is sick. Dog wants your help to clean out her garden in hopes of lifting her spirits.
To clean the garden, simply click on all the weeds, dirt, and twigs scattered around the location. You’ll have to be thorough. Some of these can be easy to miss.
When the garden is spotless, you’ll have to plant flowers and trees to make it look beautiful. Buy plants from Meow Meow’s Plant Shop and place them around the garden.
Lin Lin is very happy with how the garden turned out. But as the night falls, she starts to get cold. Give her the Magical Blanket you found earlier.
Dog gives you some Fireworks as thanks, and you can move on to the next Zodiac Animal.
Level 11 – Pig
Pig is arranging a party for Lin Lin, celebrating her great-grandbaby. All her family will attend at night. After making all the preparations and getting some rest, the family members start showing up.
But Pig wants to hold them off so that Lin Lin can get some much-needed rest. This is where you come in.
You’ll have to use the four Zodiac Animals, Tiger, Horse, Goat, and Ox, on the ground to keep the family members away from the house.
Place the Monkey (in a coat) on one of the lower floors to keep the guests from reaching the resting family of Lin Lin.
You can also click on the presents inside the house to collect them and prepare Gift Traps. Place them on the lower floors to distract the guests and prevent them from disturbing the hosts.
Survive the wave of guests till night falls and the party can officially get started.
When the lights go out, use the Fireworks to kick off the celebrations.
Level 12 – Rooster
You’ve shown that you’re capable of growth. Now is the time to prove it as Dragon sends you back to the present. Rabbit is crying in front of you, and you need to choose your words carefully to calm him down.
Choose the appropriate Cue Cards to deliver your apology to Rabbit. If the Cue Card in your hand isn’t the right thing to say, decline by clicking on the cross at the bottom.
The correct thing to say has a number on the top left of the Cue Card.
Make sure you decline all the rest, and Rabbit will eventually calm down.
Rabbit forgives you because of your heartfelt apology. Now you can enjoy the Lunar New Year’s Eve part with your friends, after which the credits will roll.
Congratulations on completing Rooster! For more interesting articles related to indie games, check out the links below:
- Into Indie Games Homepage
- Cosmic Fear Walkthrough Hub
- The Blood of Dawnwalker – How To Save Your Family
- Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault – Guides And Walkthrough Hub
- Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy Walkthrough Hub
Muhit Rahman lives off two things: gaming marathons and endless cups of tea. He writes guides, reviews, and occasionally forgets that real life doesn’t come with checkpoints. His favorite genres are Soulslike and Metroidvania, with Dark Souls III, Hollow Knight, and Dota 2 forever holding top spots on his all-time list.
