To get the Child Genius achievement in Momento, you need to find the scrambled Rubik's Cube in one of the early childhood bedroom levels and solve it. The solution isn't about complex algorithms; you simply pick up the cube and repeatedly press the 'Change State' button (Right Mouse Button on PC by default) until it cycles to its solved state and the achievement pops. It's a test of interaction, not logic.
This guide breaks down the precise location of the cube, the exact interaction required, and how this seemingly complex puzzle fits into the game's broader mechanics. Unlike other secret objectives, this one requires no environmental setup, just direct interaction with the correct item.
Where is the Rubik's Cube Located?
The Rubik's Cube isn't available in the very first playable area (the 'New Beginnings' cot room). It first appears in the next stage, the proper childhood bedroom. The theme of this room—be it the Dino, Teddy, or Unicorn bedroom—depends on which plushie you chose as your first Momento at the end of the previous level. Regardless of the theme, the room's layout and the placement of key puzzle items remain largely consistent.
You will find the Rubik's Cube sitting on the main wooden desk in the bedroom. It’s usually placed near the desk lamp and a stack of books. It’s a standard interactive object, highlighted with a faint outline when you mouse over it, and is present from the moment you enter the level. You don't need to unlock or assemble anything to make it appear.
Checking Your Puzzle Progress
If you're ever unsure which bonus puzzles are available in a level, look for the character's journal or notebook, which is also typically on the desk. Opening this book reveals a checklist of all optional objectives for the current room. You'll see an entry for "Child Genius" here, often with a small sketch of the cube, confirming it's available to be solved in that stage.
How to Solve the Cube and Unlock the Achievement
This is where many players get stuck, assuming they need to know real-world Rubik's Cube algorithms. The game's puzzle design is much simpler and is built around a core mechanic called "State Change." Many objects in Momento can be altered by interacting with them while holding them.
Here is the step-by-step process:
- Locate the Cube: Go to the main desk in the childhood bedroom level.
- Pick it Up: Use the primary interaction button (Left Mouse Button) to pick up the Rubik's Cube. You will now be holding it, and you can move it around the screen.
- Change Its State: While holding the cube, press the 'Change State' button repeatedly. On PC, this is the Right Mouse Button. You will see the cube's pattern shift with each press. It cycles through a few pre-set scrambled states before landing on the fully solved one.
- Unlock the Achievement: After 5-10 clicks of the 'Change State' button, the cube will visually solve itself—all sides showing a solid color. The "Child Genius" achievement notification will immediately appear on your screen.
You do not need to drag it to a specific spot, combine it with another item, or perform any complex rotations. It is purely a repetitive interaction puzzle.
Momento in-game screenshot
Is the Achievement Missable?
Technically, yes, but only on a per-level basis. The Child Genius achievement is a bonus objective, and you are not required to complete it to advance the story. If you finish organizing the room and choose to proceed to the next stage of Sam's life, you will miss the opportunity to solve it in that specific playthrough branch.
However, Momento is designed for multiple playthroughs to see all the narrative paths. You will have another chance to get the achievement by starting a new game and reaching the childhood bedroom again. The puzzle is not locked behind any obscure prerequisite choices from the first room, so it will always be available when you reach the second level.
Momento in-game screenshot
Understanding Momento's Bonus Puzzles
The Child Genius puzzle is a perfect example of Momento's design philosophy for its hidden objectives. They are rarely about complex logic and more about observing your environment and experimenting with the game's simple interaction mechanics. Other puzzles in the same room operate on different principles, highlighting the variety.
| Puzzle Name | Objective & Solution Type |
|---|---|
| Child Genius | State Change: Pick up the Rubik's Cube and press the Right Mouse Button repeatedly until it solves. |
| Animal Farm | Arrangement: Place the toy farm animals (cow, chicken, pig) together on the floor or playmat to create a cohesive scene. |
| Books in their Nooks | Organization: Find all the scattered books and place them neatly onto the bookshelf. |
| Choo Choo! | Assembly: Locate all the wooden train track pieces and connect them on the floor to form a complete circuit. |
As the table shows, each puzzle uses a different core verb: changing, arranging, organizing, or assembling. The key to 100% completion is to test these different interactions on objects that seem out of place or special.
Momento in-game screenshot
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are quick answers to the most common questions about the Child Genius achievement.
Do I need to know how to solve a real Rubik's Cube?
No, not at all. The in-game solution does not use any real-world logic or algorithms. It's a simple interaction puzzle solved by repeatedly pressing the 'Change State' button (Right Mouse Button).
Which level has the Child Genius puzzle?
The puzzle is found in the second main level of the game, the first childhood bedroom you decorate after the initial nursery/cot room. This could be the Dino, Teddy, or Unicorn-themed room depending on your choices.
The cube isn't solving when I right-click. What's wrong?
First, ensure you are holding the cube with the left mouse button before you start clicking the right mouse button. If it's still not working, check your keybindings in the game's settings to see if you have reassigned the 'Change State' function to a different key.
Does unlocking Child Genius affect the story?
No. The Child Genius achievement is a bonus puzzle and does not impact the main narrative branches of Sam's life. These are determined by the key 'Momento' items you choose to keep at the end of each level, not by completing the optional objectives.
What other achievements are like this one?
Many of Momento's achievements are tied to these optional bonus puzzles. Objectives like "Maestro" (arranging piano keys), "Prodigy" (placing letter blocks), and "Fly Me to the Moon" (arranging space-themed items) all follow a similar pattern of finding and correctly interacting with a specific set of items within a level.
Final Thoughts
The Child Genius achievement is a clever piece of misdirection from the developers at Fat Alien Cat and Nomo Studio. It presents an object famous for its complexity and ties its solution to the game's simple, elegant 'State Change' mechanic, rewarding players who experiment with the controls rather than those who overthink the problem. Once you understand this principle, many of the game's other hidden puzzles and secrets will click into place, making your journey through Sam's memories all the more rewarding.