/\ ,' `. ,' `. ,-' `-. \ / \ / \ / .--. \ / ,' | | |.-. .--. .-. / | | || \ | |. ,'| ( ) / __| _ _ | || \ | _/ \_/ |.-. .-. | | | ,'__ .--. | \ / | __|_ .--. || \ | \ / || | | | | | | \| || |_ _ | ' |,-' | \ | | || \| \/\| / | | | |__| |__ | | || | \ / || / | \| | || | | |.-| '--' | | \ | || | ' || | .-| | || |\ | | || | |__ __| \ | || | || | | | / | | || | \ | | \| | .--. | | | _,' | `' | || | | | \__| |\ | || | \ | \ | | | | | | | \ | | | ||_\_/_| | | \ | || | \ | |`._| | | | | | | ,'`---'| | | | \ `.__|__| \_| ||__| \_|\__| |_| |_| | | |__,-' |_\_/_| `. | | ,' / | | `. `. | | ,' ,' | | `. `-. | | ,-' ,' | | `. `--' ‘--' ,' \ / `. ,' ' `-. ,-' S W O R D C R A F T `--._ _,--' \ / S T O R Y: II | | | | ( ) '--' FAQ/Walkthrough by Relle getrelle@yahoo.com Winner of the October 2006 FOTM contest! Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Updates 3. Frequently Asked Questions 4. Walkthrough 4a. Prologue - Where Are We? 4b. Day 1: Let's Explore! 4c. Day 2: Seeking Out the Fortresses 4d. Day 3: Summonite Ho! 4e. Day 4: I, Robot 4f. Day 5: Disturbing On So Many Levels 4g. Day 6: It's a...GUNVALD? 4h. Day 7: Is it Cold in Here? 4i. Day 8: Over the Hill and Through the Woods 4j. Day 9: Ninjas! Ninjas Everywhere! 4k. Day 10: The Final Chapter 5. Bonus Dungeons 5a. Goura Labyrinth 5b. Ruined Factory 5c. Subterranean Bay 5d. Glacier Gorge 5e. Oni Hot Springs 6. New Game+ 7. Mini-Quests 7a. Cat Lady's Missing Pet 7b. Little Boy's Lost Items 7c. Trading Quests 7d. Rare Medals 8. Acknowledgements 9. Copyright Info =============================================================================== 1. Introduction =============================================================================== Hurray, the sequel's finally here! And fortuitously, arrived on the one weekend in a long time where I've actually had free time. As before, this is an attempt at being completely spoiler-free (i.e. vague as hell) for the story portion of the game, which is looking much better so far. I basically gutted the FAQ for the first story to make this one rather than copy/paste into a new file, so things might look a little jumbled at first till I fix everything up. Besides that, it's the same general format. Read on and enjoy! =============================================================================== 2. Updates =============================================================================== 1.12 - I won FOTM for October 2006! Yaaaaay! 1.11 - A couple different people have e-mailed me telling me about the escape spell and how you don't really have to walk all the way back to the entrance of a dungeon after defeating the final boss. Sure wish I'd known that the first time I played the game...or the second. Anyway, I finally got around to updating various parts of the guide to reflect that you can, indeed, get out of dungeons much faster than previously believed. 1.10 - Finally finished the rare medals. That's all, folks. 1.00 - Bonus dungeons done. Working on sidequests for my New Game+. 0.92 - Three bonus dungeons done. Working on the Glacier Gorge. 0.80 - Main game complete. Next stop: the bonus dungeons. 0.76 - Some fixes to the format. I won't be including a weapon forging section, as there's already a complete FAQ on that up already, and anything I wrote would just be redundant listwork (and I HATE listwork!) However, I'll likely be writing up sections for the daily sidequests, and a little mini-guide for the rampage rabbit when I start my New Game+. 0.75 - Almost done. On the last day, anyway. 0.01 - Just started. Expect the section numbers and headings to change around as I work through just how much of the game I'm going to cover (i.e. do I bother hunting down all the techniques and whatnot). =============================================================================== 3. Frequently Asked Questions =============================================================================== Q. Is this game a continuation of the first Swordcraft Story? A. No, it's all different characters/locations/etc. The game mechanics are the same, though. Q. Is this game even better than the first? A. Oh, hell yeah! Q. Have the weapons changed? A. Sort of. Axes are a little better if you can stand the agi hit. Spears don't work as well for anything but spamming the midair spin move against flying enemies. Swords are still the best in terms of general use. Drills are great for dealing with multiple monsters, but they're typically very slow for the later bosses. Knuckles are quite good, if only for the agi boost. Q. How about crafting? A. There are two important changes regarding crafting. First, there's no more breaking down materials and using the elemental properties. Second, you're limited in how many of each weapon type you can make by how many shapestones you have. Very early in the game you gain the ability to disassemble weapons, which restores the shapestone you used to craft it, but not the actual crafting materials. Q. Upgrading weapons? How does that work? A. Any item that's used to craft a weapon can also be used to upgrade its stats once your craftknight rank reaches a certain level. However, until you upgrade a weapon with a particular item, you won't know what sort of stats will come as a result. You only need to use a certain item once to know how it will affect any future weapons. Q. I heard using the same shapestone to craft new weapons makes the new one stronger? A. True. Using the same shapestone gives bonus stats to whatever weapon you make next with it. This carries over into each new weapon. The bonus retained by the shapestone is based on that weapon's tech stat and the weapon's base stats. Q. How do you raise your craftknight rank? A. Craft weapons. It does up faster if you make weapons using the latest and strongest materials you've collected (as opposed to just making one weapon from ordinary iron ore and disassembling/reforging it repeatedly). You can tell if you're using the good stuff by the size of the sparks that appear when you're hammering the weapon. Q. Can you still break boss weapons? A. Yes, but rather than the specific weapon technique, you gain a craftable item that will result in the weapon having a special attack as well as much better stats. However, with the new craft system, it's not always worth breaking their weapons, unless you fish a lot. Q. OMG! Breaking boss weapons is too hard! A. At one point in the game you'll be able to buy the hard shell craft item from the fishing rewards. Upgrading a weapon with three hard shells will give that weapon the Arm Breaker special attack. This will reduce a boss's weapon durability by 10 each time you hit them with it (unless they have weapon guard active). Q. Can I get a boss weapon back after forging and disassembling it? A. Yes, the items show up as prizes for fishing. You can buy multiple copies as well, if you have the points. However, some of the end-game crafting items can't be bought and have to be acquired from the monsters that drop them. Q. Does it matter which character I choose? A. As far as I know, no. Q. Does it matter which Guardian Beast I choose? A. Not that I know of, but they all have different dialogue, and they're all pretty funny. Your Guardian Beast doesn't determine what weapons you can and cannot forge, so just pick whoever you like. Q. Is there still lesbian joy in this game? A. Yes. Yes, there is. All hail Lynn the Horny! Q. Which dialogue option should I pick? A. If I don't specify in the guide, it's just flavor text and has no overall bearing on the game. Q. What's the 'tech' stat? A. This is your ability with that particular weapon. A higher tec stat means that weapon will take less durability damage from attacking/blocking, and will lose less durability when using special attacks. Q. Does the tech stat carry over onto new weapons? A. When you disassemble a weapon, that shapestone retains half the tech stat you built up, and will carry over to the next weapon. Also, a higher tech stat will retain more of the original weapon's stats. Q. What's with durability? A. Rather than replenish after a battle, durability is like a second HP bar. You can replenish it with items and by visiting the forge. Items used to restore durability are extremely common, and are often found in the various destructable objects and as battle rewards. You can also buy or create them in the shop. Q. Are the sidequests the same? A. Not really. Every day an old lady in the southwest part of the village will be missing a cat, and if you find it, she'll give you an item in return. Also, a small boy will be missing...something. Finally, every day you can fight the rampage rabbit you first encounter when you begin the game. These sidequests just give regular items rather than weapon techniques, but they take very little time to do, and free stuff is free stuff. Q. How do I Mono Shift? A. At a certain point in the game your gem will be recharged. When it is, you equip it to your guardian beast as an item and use it in battle. However, it only works once before it needs to be recharged again, so use with caution. Q. What stats should I put points into? A. My personal preference is to boost strength and agi so that they're mostly equal. Early on, it's best to raise strength and maybe a little defense, but later on it becomes more important to have at least some agility, or you'll get squished by bigger and faster bosses. However, when your agility starts going over 200 total (base stats + equipment + weapon stats) you're pretty much able to jump over everything in the game and run around like a ninja. Going from 200 to 250 shows a slightly noticeable difference (you jump a little higher, move a little faster) but in practical terms, it's not a big improvement. Once you start topping 200 total agility, you don't really need to dump any more points into it, so just focus on strength and/or defense. Personally, I never touched defense after the first few parts of the game and I did all right. I had to heal a little more, but with the increased agility, I didn't get hit as much. =============================================================================== 4. Walkthrough =============================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4a. Prologue - Where Are We? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'd like to know why the hell our hero(ine) is standing on the edge of what appears to be a bottomless cliff. Ignoring that, follow the dialogue till you get to the next screen. Here you choose your guardian beast for the game, and you won't have to do any crazy personality test first, either. Choose whoever you like, they're all pretty funny. Follow along until you have control, then go downstairs. More cutscenes, then you'll have to go to monument square. It's the first path north after you leave the craft house. More scenes, then you can either wander around talking to villagers or return to the craft house and make your first weapon. Do whichever you like, there isn't much to get out of speaking with everyone besides the dialogue. More cutscenes at the house, and you'll get your first weapon. After even more text, you can have your first walk with your guardian beast. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4b. Day 1: Let's Explore! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The next day, go see Ryouga. He's at the house in the southernmost part of the village (just keep walking down stairs). Afterwards, return to where the game first started and take the first left as you go north. More cutscenes abound, and eventually you'll have to fight...a Tonka Tank? Whatever. Easiest way to beat it is a three-hit combo and jump over it. Don't just stand there, because the shells it fires hit for a lot of damage. Once it's down, cue more cutscenes, and...holy Snapple! Skipping ahead to when you regain control, you need to go back to monument square. Afterwards, return to the craft house and remake your amateur knife. It doesn't matter what dialogue option you pick, the end result is the same. Eventually, you'll be free to go into the forest via the door on the west side of the village. Your objective here is pretty simple: get the sword shapestone from the chest in the first screen south. If you happen into any random battles, just be careful, since you only have the hammer. Go back and re-re-reforge the amateur knife to move on. Return to the forest. On the first screen south, use L or R to change your field weapon to the sword and cut down the grass. On the next screen, grab the axe shapestone from the chest. If you want, fight around for a bit till you encounter a Spirit. Defeat it for a charged ore, which will create a slightly stronger axe. Either way, return to the workshop and craft said axe to proceed. Once more to the forest. On the second screen, chop down the trees to the west with your new axe to proceed. You'll find a spear shapestone in the chest behind more tree stumps. Go back and forge one. You should gain a new craftknight rank, and the ability to disassemble weapons. Since your weapon inventory is limited in this game, this is a good thing. Return to the forest one more time. Go back to where you got the spear and continue on. A Hound blocks your path. It's the same as all the dog monsters in the first game, so take it out and continue. Enter the wind fortress and explore around for a cutscene. After more scenes, it's back to the workshop... again. Repair the broken sword (just select Repair, it does it automatically, no materials needed) and take it back. Once you return the fixed sword, head out of the fortress by the north exit. Follow the path till you see a chest. Circle around and use the spear to poke it open (don't ask how you get the item out, though). There's a slightly hidden path to the northwest. Through it you'll find three chests, one with a drill shapestone! Go back and exit the screen to the southwest to continue. Here you'll find the blue recovery triangle, which will restore your HP (but not your durability). Move along to the next screen, which will introduce you to your first boss battle! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Grass Dragon + Kabuto x2 HP - 500 (+100) This one can be tough if your durability's low. Try to ignore the Kabutos, the boss will continuously spawn new ones if you kill them. If you rush in to attack the boss, he'll counter by spitting a cloud of poison. Either use a sword and take one swing, then jump away, or stop short, wait for the poison to go away and jump in with the axe. The spear has the reach to get in past the poison, but it's weaker than the other two. Don't be afraid to use your Guardian Beast if you need a heal, or if a weapon is about to break. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Afterwards, cue the reunion, then examine the grass on the east side of the screen to cue another scene. When that's over, return to the wind fortress to talk with everyone. When that's all done, go back to the village. Visit the spot where you first met your guardian beast, and you'll find the Rampage Rabbit and a kid who is apparently its manager. You can fight the rabbit every day, and it'll be a little stronger each day. It's a good idea to fight it at the end of the day, as it does become much tougher and more aggressive on each successive day. Anyway, go back to the workshop and the day will come to an end. You can now visit Tatiana at the monument square on your nightly walks. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4c. Day 2: Seeking Out the Fortresses ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- View the cutscenes and head upstairs. Regardless of your choice, Tatiana will join you and you'll be off to the Wind Fortress. Before you go, check in with the old lady and find her cat for a bandage. Also, the salesman will sell you an aqua ore for 300b. Buy it up and use it to craft whatever you like. I'd recommend disassembling your amateur knife and using the shapestone and aqua ore to create a new weapon. Make whatever else you want, then go back to the wind fortress. A new fortress, you say? Exit the wind fortress to the north and return to where you fought the grass dragon. Climb down the vine and exit east. Here you'll find the entrance to the roaring cavern. Fight your way through to area 3, where the path splits slightly. Take the southern path to find a rare medal and a recovery triangle, and fight around for a bit. Try to get to level 7-8 or so. When that's done, move on to the next screen for a cutscene. Afterwards, choose to follow the...ghost? She'll lead you along until it becomes apparent you need to find another route. When you go back to the screen with the four-way crossroads, go south. On this new screen, head left and climb up to reach the chest that was behind the wall for a new sword shapestone. Then go right and up the ladder. If you've forged a drill, use it to break through the wall to reach a new axe shapestone and a rare medal. You can also use the knuckles to punch around the boulder, but there's nothing you can do with it. Return to the crossroads and go north. Before you proceed further than the grass, make sure your weapons have enough durability left. You're about to go into a boss battle. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Black Swordsman HP - 450 Weapon - 150 Your first battle against a weapon user! He's not as tough as the grass dragon, to be honest, especially if you've played the first game. Just take in any weapon and watch his movements. It's pretty basic stuff: dash in, attack, block his counterattacks, and keep moving. If you want to break his weapon, the best method I've found is to just block and absorb his hits. He doesn't block very often, and it's a very slow process even with a drill. Heal yourself or use weapon shield if needed. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Afterwards, you'll be back at the workshop. You'll need to retrieve Tatiana, but before you do, repair your stuff and forge whatever you like. If you broke the boss's weapon, disassemble your sword and use his beast crest to make a stronger tusk saber. At this point you should be well-equipped to defeat the rampage rabbit for the day, so head over and kick his bunny ass. Now go back a screen and take the first left to find Lynn. Gee, I wonder what she's doing there? Anyway, after the scenes, return to the roaring caverns. Follow Nina to the north at the crossroads and just continue on the path. Once you emerge from the caves, you'll be right near a teleporter. Give it a whack and use the opportunity to return to the workshop and repair/rest/save. Return to the forest and take the teleporter to the water fortress. Make sure you have an enchant: element spell equipped to your guardian beast. Head inside and you'll find yourself under attack. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Iron Horse HP - 600 Its biggest advantage is high defense and HP, but it's pretty predictable. It can shoot bullets across the screen, or fire a machine gun at the ground in front of it. It'll also jump and do a diving attack from the air, which is easily blocked. Enchant your weapon with whatever element your guardian beast provides (doesn't matter which) and give it a couple whacks, then dash/jump away. If you managed to craft a tusk saber, this'll be over very fast. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ After it's over, head to the next room and talk to Nina. Then return to the wind fortress and pick up Tatiana, and go back to the workshop. The day will end, and you can now visit both Gabriel and Lynn! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4d. Day 3: Summonite Ho! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As the day begins, Orin will ask to see you by the waterfall. It's the place with that big red scarf tied to a rock and blowing in the wind. Before you go, if you got the beast crest from the black swordsman, forge a drill with it. The special attack it has is ridiculously powerful. Anyway, go find Orin when you're ready. When you get there, there's trouble afoot! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Orin HP - 600 Weapon - 180 This guy's not much tougher than the black swordsman, though be cautious, because your attacks won't daze him (i.e. you can hit him and he'll still wind up an attack in the middle of your swing). He'll use a special attack, a wave beam that drains his durability significantly and has a long range. If you want to break his weapon, wait for him to use that attack and take his durability down to 20-30 before blocking your way to victory. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Once that's over with, head to the water fortress. After the scene with Lynn and Nina (she's a ghost, she's not a ghost, make up your mind, lady!) exit the fortress to the north. The Lost Woods? Nintendo's going to pitch a fit. Walk along till you find a cave. Head inside and explore till you reach a chest with a blaze ore inside. Return to the woods, then go southeast. Ignore the first hole in the ground and go to the next screen, then jump in. Go north and head up the stairs and you'll be back above ground. A little further on you'll find the next fortress and a warp point. Return to your workshop and repair/reforge if needed. If you're at level 11-12, you can probably beat the rampage rabbit now as well. When you're done freshening up, return to the thunder fortress. You'll be greeted by a mechanical defense force. It doesn't matter how you answer, you won't fight yet. Instead, it's a much funnier outcome, especially if you're playing as Aera! Watch the cutscene, and...go Super Saiyan! ...sorry. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Clock Knight HP - 1000 This battle is actually more reminiscent of Super Sonic. Your durability will slowly go down on its own in addition to your attacks and blocks. You'll use whatever weapon you previously had equipped before this fight, and be unable to change to a different one. However, it's a very easy fight. Just do the standard attack/block combo and try not to get attacked from behind. Also, do note you have a new special attack, conveniently named 'ultimate move.' It'll do a wave attack that deals about 100-120 damage regardless of which weapon you have, but it sucks up 20 durability per use. I like to use it as a finisher. ;) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Enjoy the cutscene, more proof whoever translated this game was smoking something. And I want some. Anyway, retrieve the summonite gem from the back room (it's the little sparkly thing in the righthand room) and go back to the workshop. You'll need to find Orin, so go back to the woods and warp to the water fortress. Enter the roaring caverns and go back to where you first met Nina. After the scene with Orin and Bruno, warp to the water fortress and go to the back room for a scene with Lynn, the eternally horny. Anyway, back to the lightning fortress. Install the third summonite and you can finally leave by the back exit. In the forgotten woods, first go east to find a rare medal, then north. You'll have another case of holes, but first enter through the cave door and follow the path. You'll find another rare medal in the midst of some cave moss. Return to the surface and fall down the northern hole, then just walk along till you find the stairs going back up. And through the woods we go! Keep moving till the path splits. North you'll find a hole that will drop you back into the caves, but you'll appear near a chest with a fist shapestone. You will, however, have to drop down and walk all the way back. To the south at the split, you'll run into Gabriel. After you're done talking, go east till you reach a chest with a spear shapestone. Afterwards, exit north and keep going till you fall down a hole. Head right. Here you'll find two boulders blocking two narrow tunnels. Punch the west one till you can get through the horizontal passage and snag the gale ore from the chest. Leave and re-enter the room and punch the east rock so you can reach the stairs. Once on the surface, just walk along till you come across another teleporter. If ever there were a time to go back and rest/repair, this would be it. If your rank is high enough to upgrade your weapons, attach an aqua ore to the weapon of your choice to help with the upcoming battle. When you're ready, return to the fire fortress and head inside. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Durahan HP - 1280 There's a trick to this boss. Attacks made against his chest will do less damage, so you'll have to jump and hit his head. Play this one defensively. Make one attack and dash away (don't try jumping away, his sword has a big range). The best time to attack is when he raises his sword above his head. When he does this, he's preparing to slam it into the ground, but there's a good 2-3 seconds before he actually does it. If you have the enchant aqua spell, use it. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ With that out of the way, retrieve the summonite gem from the back room and return to the thunder fortress. For some silly reason you'll have to visit Nina again, so head back there for a brief chat. Afterwards, return to the workshop. After some shocking (not really) news, you can take another nightly walk. Orin and Nina will now be on the list. Lynn continues to be horny. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4e. Day 4: I, Robot ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here we go again! Head out when the talking's done. Make sure to pick up a fulgar horn from the salesman, and try forging a weapon or two. Go to the forest, but before teleporting to the thunder fortress, visit the water and fire fortresses. The salesman at the water fortress will give you spices you can pass on to the woman who's been trying to cook curry for what seems like a week now. The one at the fire fortress will sell you a leafwyrm thorn for 600b (he disguises it as a lecture). Take the spices to the crazy cooking lady, and try your hand at the rampage rabbit before you go. It's not that much stronger, but it now wields a carrot. Scary. When you're all set, go to the thunder fortress. After all the talking, you have the option of recharging your gem (which you should do) and teleporting down to the machine dungeon. Zap yourself on down, it'll be fun! Go and explore. When you reach the first set of conveyor belts, ride across and hit the green glowy thing. Go right and ride the vertical belt down to a pair of chests, and then ride the conveyor to the left back to solid ground. Head down the nearby stairs to B2. Down here, first head left and across the conveyor. Use the spear to stab the crates as you go. Continue south via the belts for two chests, then ride back to where you started. Now take the southern conveyor belt once and then the one to the left. Drill through the cracked wall for a couple chests and a rare medal off to the right. Return to the beginning and take the south conveyor twice. Keep going till you find a door. Make sure your weapons have sufficient durability and your summon beast is equipped with some good attack spells. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Charger HP - 1600 This guy's got some hard defense. Magic tears through it pretty well, though. If you're using Dinah, you can use splash and aqua tornado to kill him off. If not, you're in for a long fight. He has two apparent attacks, one being a punch he telegraphs by reaching back and charging up his fingers (Shining Fingers!). He also fires off a ball of electricity after charging both sets of fingers. They're easily avoidable, the only tough part is getting through his armor. If you're having trouble, Mono Shift and beat him up. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Unfortunately, after the battle you end up falling down a hole. When you wake up...oh look...IT'S A GUNDAM!!! I am eternally disappointed that no one thought to jump in and pilot it. Anyway, when the cutscene's over, head right. The left side's blocked off. Head up the stairs and use the recovery triangle, then go back down and walk through the door on the right to hit B4. First off, take the middle vertical conveyor belt. Walk along till you reach a switch and a rare medal. Hit the switch and go back to the beginning. Take the middle conveyor again and ignore the switch. Take the next belt to a chest with a fulgur horn. Return to the start and take the middle belt again. Hit the switch this time and take a ride on the same belt you came in on. Ignore the conveyor to the right and go to the next screen. Moving on to the next screen, you'll find a recovery triangle and another chapter of dungeon adventures. Don't bother reading it, just switch to the drill and break the wall. Make sure you're ready for a fight before you go in. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Black Swordsman HP - 1000 Weapon - 200 He's much tougher than before, and he'll block a lot more often. However, it's not easier to break his weapon, as his durability goes down very slowly. Otherwise, he does a spin attack that'll knock you back, and he'll use magic against you. Definitely be careful here, he can take out a lot of your HP very quickly. The tornado attack is a little hard to avoid, but if you have a good sword, you can do a combo, block through his attacks and combo again before having to move. Magic works to a point, but you'd be better off saving a couple spells to heal yourself. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ After the battle, you'll be safe...for the moment. If your guardian beast has the escape spell, use it to be transported to the entrance. Once you do, do whatever you need to and return to the workshop to end the day. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4f. Day 5: Disturbing On So Many Levels ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craft up some new stuff if you want. If you got the beast king crest, use it to make a sword. The spin attack is ridiculously powerful if you use it when you're right on top of an enemy. Try to go to the forest to see this stranger everyone's talking about. After a short scene, you'll be on your way. Return to the thunder fortress. After a brief chat with everyone, go to the back room and speak with Bruno. Recharge your gem if needed and teleport to...??? Apparently it's the beach. Examine the glowing stone for another account of dungeon adventures if you want. It just tells you the same as the last one: hit lots of switches. Move along till you encounter...a mermaid! Snazzy! Keep going to find...a pirate! He calls himself a treasure hunter, but he's no Locke. Hit the switch and follow him! There's a chest on the island he was on, but it's empty. Keep going till you find three colored switches. First hit the green one and follow the path to the next screen, where you'll find a chest with sandstone ore. Go back and hit the red one and exit to the left. Take the leftmost path up to find two chests, and the rightmost path to proceed. Before going anywhere, hug the left side of the screen and exit that way for a rare medal. When you're ready, go check out what's going on with that big blob of water. Cue funniest sequence in the game (if you chose Aera). After it's over, go back to Bruno and teleport back to the fortress. After the ensuing cutscene, return to the water elemental. Cue another funny scene, and this time you're in for a fight. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Aqua Element HP - 2000 He's not too tough if you have a strong weapon. A sword tends to work best, as you can do a standard combo/block maneuver. He does a short-range water bullet attack and causes geysers to come out of the ground, but you can stand between the latter and block the former. He's actually one of the easier bosses yet. Must be due to heartbreak. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Just past the elemental is a recovery triangle. Use it and move on. You'll come across another set of colored switches. The blue leads nowhere and the red just takes you to a bunch of bushes. Hit the green and take the upper path first to spear a chest, then the lower to reach the next batch of switches. The blue leads to a bunch of crates and barrels to smash, the green leads to a chest. The red takes you to the sword you're looking for. Okay, I take it back, this is the funniest sequence in the game. The developers had to be drunk or high or both. Anyway, when you can move again, walk along to meet Passeau again, and further are a red and green switches. Hit the red one to reach a chest, and the green to proceed. Smack the blue switch and keep going left across the platforms for a chest, then head north to find Queenie and Passeau again. Unfortunately, they also have a friend with them. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Lobsta Dragon HP - 3000 This definitely ranks up there on the "Oh bugger" meter. However, despite it looking big and mean, it's fairly simple. Rush in, do a two-hit combo (three hits will get you smacked) and run away. It'll try to strike you with its heads, or spit water globs at you, but they're pretty easily avoidable. If you've saved your Mono Shift, bust it out and take this thing down quickly. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Afterwards, go back and grab the sword you came for. Escape and return to the workshop after all the talking's done to end the day. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4g. Day 6: It's a...GUNVALD? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craft up some new weapons after the shaking is done, then head out. Check the item shop and buy the diffusion device from the salesman before going to the gate. Hmm, unlucky day. Make your way through the talky-talks and back to the woods. Stop by the wind fortress to check on the critters, then visit Nina and Borgrim. Much trouble ahead, but something very promising results... For future reference, you can now buy the hard shell item from the fisherman. Once you're able to upgrade a weapon with three items, put three hard shells on for the arm breaker special attack. It'll make breaking enemy weapons much easier. Anyway, return to the village and talk to Rocky to get a kitty badge for running his errand. Beat the rampage rabbit if you haven't already. Head to the gate to pick up Orin so you can fix that Gundam! When the scene's over, return to the thunder fortress and teleport down into the factory. Walk all the way back to the Gundam (falling down the hole is still the fastest way). Apparently it's called a...GUNVALD? Yeah, that won't have Bandai sending in the lawyers... Head left and through the previously locked door when you're able. You'll be down on B5. First head right and grab an axe shapestone from the chest, then return and go south. Keep going till you find a cracked wall and drill it open. The stairs down are to the northeast on the other side. Go left and you'll come across three conveyor belts. Take the rightmost one down and drill through the door you come across. Inside are two chests and a rare medal off to the right. Return across the same belt and take the middle belt. This one leads to some crates and another rare medal. Hit the switch and go back to start. Finally, take the leftmost conveyor. Walk along and ride the next conveyor belt you come across and you'll eventually reach the droid you're looking for. Unfortunately, he disagrees. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Scanner Eye HP - 3200 This guy's an easy kill if you have a decent weapon. The best way to get rid of him is to stand about at the maximum range of your sword and swing at him. He'll smash the ground and cause a very short-range shockwave which is easily avoided if you take a couple steps back (or jump). He'll also fire a pair of bullets which can be blocked, and do an aimed explosive shot which needs to be avoided. Both are pretty obvious, and if you keep the right range on him, he'll keep on hitting the ground and damaging nothing. Feel free to Mono Shift on this guy, you can recharge on your way out. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Once the droid's dead, head back to the GUNVALD to deliver the part. Once again you'll have to trudge back to Bruno to get out of here. When you reach the surface, head to the village and speak with Toumei at the sealed gate. For some stupid reason you need to make a sword out of anti-demon ore...right. They cost 350p, so go fishing till you have the points. When you craft the sword, make sure to use a blank shapestone, one that hasn't been used to make any other sword. When you hand over the weapon to Toumei, it becomes a quest item rather than an equippable weapon, so if you happen to use a shapestone that has stats on it, it'll be lost forever. Talk to Toumei after he enchants your sword, and show him the red daemon gem. This does nothing for the moment. Now return with the sword to Nina and Borgrim. What follows is quite possibly the greatest battle of all time. I'm not even going to say anything about it. Have fun! Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Blade Wing HP - 3400 This can be tough, because this guy's fast and his attacks can't be blocked fully. Aside from a standard stabbing with his tail, he'll dash across the screen. Even if you block, it'll still do half damage. The best way to avoid it is, as soon as you see him rise into the air, run underneath and behind him. If your agility is high enough, you can jump over him, but it's tough if you haven't been putting points in there. Mono Shift if you're having trouble, or spam attack spells and heal if you're getting hit too much. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Those sick bastards! They blew up the Gundam! Err, anyway, scenes a'plenty, and the day will end automatically. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4h. Day 7: Is it Cold in Here? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your first stop today is Tormei at the gate. After that, you've got your marching orders: find another daemon edge. Go to the thunder fortress and chat with Bruno to be sent to the next dungeon. However, before going there, head to the subterranean bay and talk with Sarin. Rescue Bryan (he's on the same island you met him at) to get a shiny seashell. Take it to a woman in the village on the bridge by the waterfall to the left of the chief's house for a pair of enduro boots. Now go to the glacial gorge. Head down till you run into a couple kids. After scaring them off, move on until you come across a big ice patch. Stand at the very top against the wall and walk diagonally down and to the right to hit a snowy patch in the middle of the ice. From there, go right to reach a chest and a rare medal. After that, just take the upper or lower path to the next screen (they both lead to the same place). Head right and you'll hear a voice. Depending on what kind of voice you say you heard (man or woman) you'll fight a different boss. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Nesty (Man/Woman) HP - 1500/1400 Weapon - 250/150 Item - Hero's Badge/Mark of Courage Nesty's weapon is determined by the way you answered, actually. If you chose male, he'll use a big two-handed sword. If you chose female, he'll use a smaller shortsword and be much faster. The choice also affects what item he drops if you break his weapon. Neither one is very difficult, and can be beaten with a simple combo/block strategem. Granted, if you want to break his weapon, you'll have a much easier time if you answered a woman's voice, so go with that. Note: Regardless of which option you pick, if you break his weapon, you'll be able to buy both boss items from the fish rewards list. However, the female one has a longer combo and thus can take you out a lot faster, so be careful. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Much misunderstandings ensue. Recover at the blue triangle and move on. For this next patch of ice, slide your way over to the snowline along the north wall, then slide down on the right side to hit another snow patch. From there, just go right to the next screen. Here, go right to the ice and slide right, up, left against the boxes and up again. Break the boxes from the top side and go up to the next screen. After more misunderstandings, you'll fight a trio of regular monsters. Use an attack spell to defeat them quickly. Afterwards, it's back a few screens to the "glacier." Drop off the kid and go back where you found him. Use a diagonal movement to get through the final ice patch. Two screens later you'll be introduced to even more ice, and multiple exits. The one second to the right has a bunch of barrels and three chests, while the second to the left and rightmost are connected, and lead to a rare medal and some things you can poke with your weapons. The leftmost exit will take you on your way. Walk along till you stop and say the daemon edge is nearby. Heal up and repair your weapons, then go to the next screen. Why must we fight? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ice Golem HP - 4500 This thing's pretty slow and clumsy, but it hits hard. If you're close up, it'll either pound the ground or breathe ice that causes icicles to fall. The ice breath won't hurt you unless you jump into it, and if you stay put, the icicles will miss you. However, be ready for him to try and smash you. His third maneuver is really stupid. He grows a pair of wings, flies into the air, hovers a few feet toward you and buttstomps the ground. Big deal. It'll stun you if you're on the ground when he lands, but he doesn't do anything in that time, so it's not even a remotely dangerous move unless you intentionally walk underneath to peek up his ass. So...yeah, beat him up, Mono Shift if you want, etc. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sweet potatoes are seventeen kinds of awesome! No, really. After retrieving the sword, escape back to Bruno to get back to the civilized world. Head back to the workshop to end the day. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4i. Day 8: Over the Hill and Through the Woods ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- More trouble awaits as you greet the new day. Gabriel will be in bad shape, but enough about him! You're after Passeau! Make sure you fight the rampage rabbit (if you want) before you go exploring. When you're ready, warp to the wind fortress and exit north. Head through the woods till you run into the body snatcher herself. She'll conjure up a friend for you to play with. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Death HP - 5200 Despite the name, he's not that scary. His three attacks are a simple swing of his scythe, creating a void sphere in front of him and launching a floating will-o-wisp. The first two are easily avoidable simply by getting out of the way (blocking reduces damage to half, so only do that if you're not quick enough). The will-o-wisp travels across half the battle map, but you can easily jump over it. The trick to this boss is agility. I was able to take it out simply by jumping back and forth over it and doing airborne sword swings at its head. Completely dodged his scythe attacks and didn't even trigger his other two until I stood around and waited for him to do something. I actually pulled a flawless victory out of my ass simply by jumping around like I had a pogo stick up my butt. If your agi isn't high enough to leap over tall monsters in a single bound, just resort to the standard attack/run away tactic, and throw in some magic if needed. Simplistic, I know, but it's not a complicated boss. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ After the taunting and whatnot, return to the village posthaste. Upon arriving, you're given the silent treatment. Well, fine! Screw you ingrates! I never wanted to save the world anyhow! Err...I mean, go to the workshop to get an explanation. Yeah, they're all idiots. Just because you've been busting your ass to save the world all this time means you're secretly in league with the forces of evil. Oh, the humanity! All sarcasm aside, you won't get any answers sitting around. Rest/repair/save and head out! Warp back to the wind fortress. In the same place you found Passeau will you also find the black swordsman. And damned if he's getting away without a fight! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Black Swordsman HP - 1650 Weapon - 250 Among his attacks his time is a spinning dash, alongside a magic tornado. He'll also enchant his weapon with wind, making him hit that much harder. But he still has a relatively low amount of HP, and if you break his weapon, you get nothing for it. Fight him as before, and Mono Shift if you want a real epic battle. ;) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ This time the mask will fall off and reveal the Black Swordsman as...! Yeah, like I'd really tell. Anyway, after all the hubbub a path to the south will be revealed. Head down into a brand-new part of the forest. Walk one screen east and one south. Here there will be a hole in the midst of some trees. Walk up to it and snag the rare medal on the ground, but don't fall down. Go one more screen east. Here there are two holes, one in the trees and one to the north. Fall down the northern hole first and smack open the chest. Go left one screen, then south. Punch the rock out of the way and go left to find a cracked wall. Drill through it. Here you'll find a rare medal up and to the right as soon as you enter, and a couple chests to the left. Leave, go back the way you came and head left to find the exit. There will be another cracked wall just above the ladder. Return to the screen with the two holes and fall through the one in the trees. Follow the path till you reach a dead end (don't fall down the waterfalls) and drill through the wall. Head through the opening and just keep walking. Eventually you'll hit the surface, and a little further on you'll find an old...friend? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Orin HP - 1700 Weapon - 250 He's actually not that tough, as long as you block anything he throws at you. His weapon doesn't hit for very much unless he tries to 'drill' you, and due to its short range, if you use a weapon like a sword, spear or axe, you can hit him at max range and avoid retaliation easily. The really hard part is, of course, breaking his weapon. At 250 durability and a drill, no less, it'll take quite a while. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Not ten seconds after you knock some sense into this kid you're thrust into the fray once more! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Gedharm + Gedharm Gunner HP - 1700/1500 Weapon - 260/NA Hey, two on one isn't fair! Not to mention the gunner is a real pain the ass. You can beat Gedharm without touching the gunner, but it's annoying to have it shooting at you. It'll frequently splash shells across the battlefield both in front and behind it, but they're easily avoidable. The problem is, when it does this, the background darkens and it counts as casting a spell, so you can't hurt it. Get in close to make it counterattack with a fist or short shots rather than the spell and take it out as fast as you can. Once it's gone, Gedharm is just a slightly stronger version of the previous battle. However, don't let up on him even for a second! If he gets time to cast spells, he can resurrect the gunner. This is easily interrupted by attacking him, so don't let up. The item he drops for breaking his weapon is the same as Orin's, so if you got it in the last fight, don't bother breaking it again this time. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ With all that messy business out of the way, make your way back to the village. Hurray, the townsfolk aren't stupid anymore! Return to the workshop and the day will come to a close. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4j. Day 9: Ninjas! Ninjas Everywhere! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apparently you're just now getting around to saving Bruno, ignoring the fact that he's been in danger since yesterday. Anyway, head out, do whatever sidequests need doing (beaten the rampage rabbit lately?) and warp to the thunder fortress. After a lot of chatter, you'll warp to the oni hot springs. If you showed Toumei your red daemon gem a couple days earlier, he'll give you a second one to use as you please. Walk around, smashing stuff up, till you get to an area which is periodically filled with steam, obscuring your view. Go up the ladder (wait for the steam to fade if you can't see) and head left to find the source. Smash the geyser with your hammer to stop it (wait, is that even physically possible?) and snag the nearby rare medal. Go back downstairs and open the chest, then exit to the right. Keep walking till you find a nude woman. I'm not kidding. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Kuuya + Kohina HP - 1750/1700 Weapon - 150/130 What's with all the two on one? Just so you know, if you break both their weapons, you get two different items. However, it's not that difficult to do both of them. They have certain special attacks that drain off their durability. Kuuya will do a dragoon-esque jump attack if you stand far enough away from him, and Kohina will do a quick strike. Each one drains 10 durability per use, and they use them fairly often. This is actually one of the few battles I recommend breaking weapons, since they do most of the work for you if you're patient. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Afterwards, recover and head right. Take the first path up and smash the geyser, then go left from there to get a couple chests. Exit right. Hug the bottom of this next screen to find a set of stairs going down. The geyser is nearby and to the right. Snag the rare metal and head up to the next screen. Here, go up past the stairs, then right and down another set of stairs to find the geyser. Go back up and left. Drop down via the waterfall for the chest, then exit down. Keep going till you run into Kohina again. After a brief conversation, hit the next screen for the final daemon edge. And yes, you guessed it, you won't get it easily! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Shaman Monkey HP - 6700 I've always wondered what the obsession was about monkeys on monk's clothing. Depending on your distance, he'll either do an uppercut, throw his beads at you, or cast a spell and cause...poison cherry blossoms to fall from the sky. O-kay. When he looks like he's casting a spell, quickly run and jump behind him to avoid being hit. When he whips his beads out, jump back instead of running, you won't make it. If you stay at max sword range and combo/jump back, he should do almost nothing but swing his beads. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Afterwards, you'll return to the hot spring...without the daemon's edge. What, you couldn't just carry it on your back or something? Run back and get it, and once again, you're interrupted... +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ryouga HP - 2500 Weapon - 150 Like the siblings, he has a special attack that drains his durability. It's a rapid-fire combo that's exceptionally damaging, and to make matters worse, his weapon continuously restores durability during the battle. The best way to trigger the special attack is, of course, to get in close and hope he uses it. I had the most success running at top speed either right past him or right in front and jumping over him. If breaking his weapon gets to be too annoying, just beat him up like any other fist weapon user. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Fortunately, after this battle you're at least partially transported back to the beginning. Halfway, at least. Use escape and return to the thunder fortress, then to the workshop to end the day. Be careful who you choose to walk with tonight, it will mean the difference for the ending. It also affects the course of events for the next day. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4k. Day 10: The Final Chapter ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regardless of who you walked with the day before, your guardian beast will wander off. Technically this will count as a day, so if you've been doing the mini-quests (the cat lady, the boy who can't hold onto his stuff) then make sure to check in with them, because they will give items for finding their things. If you chose someone other than your Guardian Beast, go to meet with them (if it's someplace outside the village, you'll automatically go there and back for once). If you chose your Guardian Beast, they'll be at the monument square, so snag them and enjoy the next few scenes. When the next day begins, there's more trouble afoot. Like that's anything new. When you're free to move, get going toward Nina's place. Head right two screens when you're able to find Toumei. The crafting item you'll need is a vortex crab claw, which you can find off monsters on the beach. When you've crafted the vortex sword, take it to Tormei at the fishing pond and then head for the woods. You'll automatically be taken to the thunder fortress, where Passeau waits. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Passeau + Bone Knight HP - 1500/1200 Weapon - 270/NA Like the Gedharm Gunner, the bone knight is really only there to make things difficult. It's much easier to kill, though. It does have a massive spin attack, so watch out for that. Passeau is an easy kill, so if you're going to break her weapon, you'll have to be patient. The item given for breaking Passeau's weapon (and any future boss items) won't show up on the fishing list, so be very careful how you use them. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Well, glad that's taken care of. Return to the workshop. The daemon edges are right where you left them. Examine the lower-right side of your bed (if you climb into bed, you're not low enough) to retrieve them. Head back upstairs to learn how to get in to seal Goura, then head for the gate. But before you can actually get on your way, it's round 2! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ryouga HP - 3000 Weapon - 180 He's the same as before, but with more HP and durability. He'll do the same sort of special move, which drains 20 durability per use. If you're going to break his weapon, dash in close and jump away at the last second to make him use it until he gets down to about 20-30 durability. After that you'll have to break it normally. If you're not trying to break his weapon, it's a much easier fight. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Afterwards...plot twists! You'll end up back at the workshop. Go downstairs and talk to Blaire. Despite warnings to the contrary, go right back to the gate. Unfortunately, some big know-it-all thinks he's better than you. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Blaire HP - 2500 Weapon - 260 Ah, an axe user, how novel. His special move is a tornado spin attack, and it's quite painful. You can jump over it with very high agi, but otherwise just block through it or run away. Otherwise, it's the same as any other battle with a non-monster boss. You can dash in, block his initial swing and combo him before he knows what's coming. Repeat that and don't let up on him when he's low on health, otherwise he'll heal himself. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Return to the workshop to rest/repair/save. If you broke Blaire's weapon, use the item to craft something, as it'll be the strongest weapon you can create at this point of the game. When you're ready, head back to the gate. Step through the glowy part to reach the labyrinth. Bust the crates on either side of the room, then use the knuckles to punch the rocks out of your way. Go down the stairs and follow the path till you find a couple more boulders. Punch them both straight up onto the tiles with the eyes to open the way forward. Keep going till there's a split to the right with a trio of floating scanners...or something. Head down that way for a bunch of boxes and a couple chests. Return to the scanners and go down to find... something even stranger. Apparently it's either red ice or some sort of slippery strawberry Jello. Anyway, you can't do anything here, so stand at the very top-left corner of the Jello and slide right. You'll end up at a spiky-looking hole in the ground. Fall through and you'll land in a maze. Go up and take the first right for two chests. Return and go left, then take the next right to get to the next screen. Here, go up and then take the first path down to the maze to pick up a rare medal. Go back up and take the leftmost route down. Follow the road and you'll end up back on B1, behind the rock near the Jello. Punch it all the way up, then slide right. Punch the second rock up until it's on the edge of the red stuff. Slide left, up, right, and punch it in front of the eye tile. Slide down and back up behind it to knock it onto the switch. Head back down to B2. Go left to find a recovery triangle. Slide up via the leftmost patch of red Jello, then slide right and down to the boulder. Punch it down through the tunnel till you can slide left. Slide up to two chests, then down the right side to a safe spot. Finally, slide up the middle tunnel to reach the stairs. As soon as you hit B3, head around the left corner and go downstairs for a rare medal. Go back up to B3 and fall down the southern of the two holes. Keep walking till you find another pair of holes. Go south past them both and go down the stairs for a chest in the lower-right corner. Return upstairs and fall down the left hole. Head left to find the stairs going up. Immediately fall down the hole to the right. Grab the chest and punch the rock out of the way, then go back up the stairs. Now fall down the left hole. What follows is a series of holes and stairs you have to climb up and fall down respectively. Wait...strike that, reverse it. Anyway, when you get a message saying you're close to Goura, take the path up for a pair of chests, then climb the stairs. Fall down the first hole to the right and go back up for a chest, then fall down again. Take the first set of stairs you see to the right, then fall down the hole to the south. Walk along till you see a hole to your left and a boulder to your right. Punch the boulder away and go right, then down to finally reach the stairs leading to Goura. Well, almost. First go up to the door (ignore the switches for the moment) to have another seizure, and receive a clue. The solution is as follows: the switches are numbered 1-5 left to right. You need to activate switches 1, 3, 4. So the leftmost, the middle and the one to the right of the middle. Head through the door down to B5. And here we have a rock puzzle! It's really very simple. Go right, up, right, up, right to the next opening (don't punch it against the wall!) then up till it's directly left of the two red crystals that are right on top of each other. Punch it right to those crystals, then up five spaces (so it's one space away from the wall and you can get above it). Punch it onto the Jello, then start heading down till you can slip in to the next rock. Punch it out of the way and go up through the door. Make sure all your weapons and HP are maxed out. Watch the cutscenes. When you get to the point where you can choose to unseal the daemon edges or signal your guardian beast, give the signal and watch what appears over its head. When a ! appears, don't give any more signals, just unseal the swords. Just before the last one is unsealed, help arrives! Unfortunately, you have to deal with Miss Pris yourself. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Spoiler Boss (A) HP - 3500 Weapon - 300 Just because I'm finicky about this sort of thing. Anyway, I don't know what the hell kind of weapon she's using, but I want one! Like other bosses, she'll trigger a special attack that drains durability, but as you can see, she has a lot of it. Fortunately, it doesn't regenerate. Be very, very careful how you fight here, because her weapon has a crazy range on it. Think of your spear's poking range, but with the arc of a sword. Yeah, like that. Whatever you do, do not get hit by her special attack, as it'll take off 700-800 HP depending on your defense. If you happened to break Blaire's weapon and forged something with it, it should have the Arm Breaker special ability. Use that to get her weapon down to zero, but if she has the weapon protect spell active (i.e. her weapon is glowing) wait for it to go away before beating her down. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Plot twists upon plot twists...sorta. Anyway, this next battle is impossible to win. You do 1 damage regardless of your weapon and stats, and he has 12800 HP. Just equip knuckles if you have them (for the agi boost) and dodge his attacks. Eventually, the battle will end automatically. Just don't die, it'll mean game over. After more cutscenes, head back to the workshop. Use the Gem of Light to forge the weapon of your choice (it doesn't have to be a sword). Also, if you want a complete weapon techniques list, you can craft something from the Gem of Light, disassemble it, and get a new one from Glacier Gorge. You'll find it at the very end, at the crystal formation where the daemon edge used to be. You can do this for every weapon type, and this only works during this stage in the game. Once you beat Goura, the crystal formation stops giving out Gems of Light. When you've crafted the weapon of your choice, head back upstairs. Apparently, the contingency plan for the village is to die of asphyxiation in space rather than be killed by Goura. Anyway, with the noble weapon in hand, head back to the gate. Speak to the bot to teleport (almost) directly to Goura. Head up to initiate the final battle. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Goura HP - 12800 Now this is a whopper of a battle. Don't worry about durability, your weapon will continuously regenerate like Ryouga's. However, it won't regenerate if you Mono Shift. Goura is the same as he was in the 'hopeless' battle, with the same attacks: a charge, a pounce, and a stab with a couple of the swords floating around him. Stay mobile, and hopefully you have enough agility to jump over him during the charge (and for pretty much all of the fight). Since you lose durability during Mono Shift, save it for the last 5000 HP or so and just use your Guardian Beast to heal if needed before then. Anyway, when he paws at the ground, he's about to charge, so jump over him immediately and run back to him to get in a quick combo while he reorients himself. He'll hunch up a little when he's about to pounce, and he'll try to stab you with the swords if you're close up. Otherwise, he's big, slow and clumsy, and his only real advantage is his HP. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Cue more cutscenes! Not to spoil anything, but this is where you really go Super Saiyan. And of course, because no RPG boss since FF4 has ever had less than two forms... +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Goura HP - 40000 No, that HP count is not a typo. This Golden Mono Shift not only lets your weapon regenerate durability, but you'll also hit much, much harder. Goura in this form has several elemental attacks, which you've probably seen used by your more human opponents earlier in the game. Tornadoes, water geysers, a meteor shower, and a rain of swords, all designed to ruin your day. The color of the swords is the key to their attacks. Green brings a tornado, red is either a ball of fire on the ground in front of him (which you can easily avoid) or the meteors, purple is a series of lightning bolts from the sky, and blue is the water geysers. Rather than jump through him to avoid his attacks, dash through him and you should avoid most of his spells entirely. Frankly, this fight is more fun than difficult. You have full access to your Guardian Beast abilities (attack spells WILL work against him), and because your durability regenerates, you can spam your ultimate move special attack. Just have at him, and heal when needed. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Aaaand the game gets even more silly. Anyway, watch the cutscenes, and the... uh...pantomime, I guess. Regardless, congratulations! The main game is now complete! Enjoy the credits, save your game, and prepare for the next set of bonus dungeons! =============================================================================== 5. Bonus Dungeons =============================================================================== A quick note before we begin. The bonus dungeons have to be done in order, as you'll only find the item to access the next dungeon by defeating the boss of the previous one. Secondly, the items dropped by the bosses can be acquired as many times as you like. Simply leave and re-enter the dungeon, and the boss will respawn. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5a. Goura Labyrinth ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As you saw from the ending, you'll have to go all the way back to where Goura was to access the lower levels. Refer to the previous section if you need directions. When you finally reach B6, slide diagonally along the red Jello to reach the chests and the stairs leading down to B7. Take either one, they lead to the same place. Down here there will be three boulders, one to the left, right and middle. Punch the middle one to the right a couple times, then punch the rightmost one left, up, right, up, left, and up to the switch. Now punch the middle boulder all the way right and go to the leftmost rock. Punch that one up, right, up, left and up to the switch. Head down to B8. Here, utilize diagonal movements to reach the safe spots in the middle of the Jello and slide over to a small alcove to the left to get a rare medal and a tyrant soulstone in a chest. Head right to find the stairs to B9. This here's another maze. Go left, take the second path up, then left and the second path up again for the first chest. Go back down and head right as soon as the road splits, then up. In area 2, go left at the intersection for the second chest (no splits on this route). Return to that crossroads at area 2 and go up to find a rare medal, then down to return to area 1. Head back around to get to area 2 again. Loop back around once more for the third chest. From there, go all the way up and left when you can. You should spot a recovery triangle behind a wall. Bust through the crates and heal yourself up. Use an anywhere diary if you want, just in case. Head down. B10 is pretty simple. At the split, right will be a chest and left is the way forward. In area 2, the left and right paths will lead to the respective chests you see on either side of you. Pick them up if you want and take the middle stairs down to B11. Make sure everything is at max durability and you're fully healed. Here, you'll find one hell of a boss. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Death Reaper HP - 22000 Nice HP count. He's almost exactly the same as the Death boss, except with four times the HP. He'll do the same will-o-wisp and void rift attack, but instead of simply swinging his scythe, he'll charge at you. This is easily avoided by just jumping over him after a combo. If you still have your noble weapon, I'd highly recommend using it just due to the longevity of this fight. Like the previous Death boss, if your agility is high enough to make sport of his dash attacks, just keep jumping over him and hitting him in the head with your weapon of choice. It'll take a while, but it's the safest way considering how often he charges. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Upon his (ha-ha) death he'll drop an onyx lifestone, and you can take the items from the chest he was guarding, including a startup switch. This will be used to access the next bonus dungeon. Cast escape and get on to the next dungeon! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5b. Ruined Factory ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As with before, you'll have to walk down to the bottom level. Your destination is where you fought that crazy robot for the GUNVALD part earlier in the game. Once down there, you'll find the scanner eye and a little Tonka tank that tries to blow up the factory. Examine the little console near the tank to extend the bridge leading to the lower floors of the factory. Whack the teleporter and head down. Ride across the conveyor belt and go up and around to the vertical belt. Ride it down to area 2. Take the first belt right, then go left over the next two belts to reach a chest. Ride the nearby conveyor to area 3. Already there's a blue recovery triangle! Anyway, head down and go right at the intersection to area 4. Here, ride the vertical conveyor up and hit the switch, then go back and ride the horizontal one to a rare medal and a chest. Hit the switch to return and go back to area 3. Go up at the previous intersection. Here, follow the conveyors till you reach a switch. Hit it and return to the beginning, then just ride the belts till you reach area 5. Just head forward to reach B8. Whew, big factory. Take the right conveyor belt down, then go up the left one once and ride the belt to the right. Just keep going along the belts till you hit area 2. Once there, hop down the first conveyor belt and whack the chest for an onyx lifestone. After that, there's only one path to take till you reach area 3 and the boss. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Satellite Eye HP - 32000 Yeesh. This boss has the same moves as his color swap, he just hits much harder. Stay mobile, as he'll smash the ground and create a small shockwave around him that'll hurt you if you're nearby. The aimed shot and bullets are easily avoided and blocked respectively. This boss is actually easier than the reaper, since he doesn't charge you and actually lets you manage a full combo occasionally. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Your prize for this one is a mechanical box, and a water bell from the chests. Bash the switch and make your way out of the factory. Next stop, Subterranean Bay! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5c. Subterranean Bay ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Once again you'll have to go to the very end of the dungeon. When you do, hold the water bell up to the waterfall to open the way to area 16. Hit the teleporter and head up to area 17. Whack the red switch to reach a pair of chests. The green and blue both lead to a second set of switches. Hit the red one again to find a rare medal, then go down to area 18. Keep going till you find another batch of switches. Smack the green and left and up to reach area 19. Here, hit the red switch and keep walking till you find a second set. Bonk the green switch to reach area 20, but before you exit, hit the last blue switch to reach a chest with a mechanical box inside. Getting closer, at least. Activate the green switch and go right first for a chest. Now go left and hit the blue switch, then follow the path it creates to find the red switch. Whack that and you'll create a bridge near the blue switch leading to the boss. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Lobsta Supreme HP - 42000 Yep, you guessed it, it's the same as the lobsta dragon way back when, except with more HP and more power. He'll try to take a bite out of you with his heads, and fire a stream of bubbles at you. When he does the latter, quickly jump over him and you can get a free combo without retaliation. This is mostly just a very long battle, not really difficult per se. As long as you have weapon shield ready to go, patience will win the day. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Your reward from the chest is the Snowmelt Powder, and the boss will drop a Cat Paw Figurine. The latter makes weapons with pretty hefty agi bonuses, and gives a whopping 30 agi to a weapon if used as an upgrade. I'd recommend returning and getting a few more, they're pretty nice in combination with items that give high str and def, but bring a penalty to agi. Our next fabulous destination will be Glacier Gorge! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5d. Glacier Gorge ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Same song, different verse. Back to the daemon's edge hiding place. Examine some cracked icicles to the right of the crystal formation that gives out spare Gems of Light to break through. In area 15, you'll have to do a diagonal slide up and to the right to reach the exit. About in the middle of the ice there's an indentation of snow. That's where you slide from. Go up to area 16. Here, stand near the rightmost patch of ice and slide diagonally up and right. You should come to a stop against a bit of the wall. Hold right and press down to slide right to the exit. In area 18, slide down on the left side of the ice to reach a recovery triangle and a rare medal. Go back up and slide down on the right side, using the crates as a guide. Go down to area 19. Here, walk down till you see a couple tree stumps near the ice. Stand directly beneath them and walk right to get the chest. Go back and stand above the trees and slide right, then down, then diagonally up and left to reach area 20. Slide diagonally up and right to get a rare medal, then up and left to reach the chests, then stand on the very edge of the ice and walk up till you end up sliding right. Go up, left, down, left, then hold up to slide diagonally into the exit. In area 21, you can either go up or down, they both lead to the same place. For 22, slide to the small island with the grass and over to the chest with a cats paw figurine. Slide down to another island, then diagonally down and right, then up to area 23. Make sure you're fully recovered. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ice Doll HP - 52000 Exactly the same as the ice golem, i.e. big, slow and stupid. Stay in close to avoid being stabbed by the falling icicles from its frost breath, and be ready to back away when it tries to...clap you. Be sure to use enchant flare for this fight, it makes it so much faster. Also, whenever he flies up and attempts to buttstomp you, stay a few paces away, otherwise the shockwave will cause a huge amount of damage. It doesn't have a big range, but if you're right next to where he lands, it'll hurt. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ This time you'll pick up an unlock talisman and aqua ring from the chests, and the boss will provide an angel ice statue. On to the final dungeon! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5e. Oni Hot Springs ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All the way to the end again. Stop and talk to Kohina and Kuuya. It's startlingly incestuous! Aaaaanyway, moving on. Break down the cracked wall and smack the teleporter, then go up to area 18. Ignore Toumei, he's not doing anything special. Up here, keep going until you pass the first waterfall. Along the southern part of the cliff will be a row of bushes blocking some stairs. Head down the stairs to find the geyser causing the steam, along with a rare medal. Go back up and fall down the waterfalls to the right for a couple chests. Go south for area 19. Just walk along the non-steamy path to area 20. More steam, great. Go up the stairs to the left and carefully make your way right. Don't get caught in the water. When the path splits, head down to bash the geyser, then open the chests before going up to the next screen. The next couple areas are straightfoward, just keep going till you hit the steam. In area 23, the geyser is all the way in the northmost part of the area. Once you clear out the steam, there's two routes. Go right first to area 24. The geyser here will be to the right, and there's a rare medal and a pair of chests in the northeastern and northwestern corners of the map. Now return to area 23 and go left. Here you'll find the final optional boss. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Monkey Extreme HP - 62000 It just keeps getting better and better, huh? As with the previous monkey, he will claw you if you're up close, swing his beads at you (and his range is very long) and cast a spell that causes cherry blossoms to fall across the screen. The best place to be when he does the latter is behind him. Like the others, this is more long than overly difficult, unless your weapons are underpowered. Enchant aqua works well here, as does any water-based attack spells you may have available. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The monkey drops a bushido scroll, the most powerful crafting item available. You'll also get a rare medal, and in the chests behind him are a flare bracelet and...another bushido scroll. That's it for bonus dungeons, but not quite it for the game. Read on! =============================================================================== 6. New Game+ =============================================================================== Yes, that's right, you can use your saved data to start a new game with many things carried over. Here's what you keep: * Craftknight rank * Techniques * Bestiary * Stored weapons * Money * Fishing points Now, before you start your new game, go to the fire fortress. See those five open chests in the back room? Those will store five weapons of your choice to be picked up in your new game. Among the five, I'd recommend crafting one weapon specifically with the arm breaker special ability (upgrade a weapon with three hard shells) in case you missed breaking a boss's weapon this time around. If you didn't (or if you don't care about having a complete techniques list) just craft up five of your choice, upgrade them with whatever you like and stick them in the chests. Bear in mind you won't retain any items you got the first time around. This includes crafting materials, consumables, equipment, rare medals, etc. You also won't start the new game with your stored weapons. You'll have to reach the fire fortress legitimately before you can pick them up. =============================================================================== 7. Mini-Quests =============================================================================== I say mini-quests because they have no real bearing whatsoever on the game, they're just there for free items. They can be done starting on the first day (the day after you first meet your Guardian Beast, and after you visit Goura's Gate for the first time). For each of these quests, you have to speak to the person involved before you can start it (i.e. you must talk with the little boy before you can return his lost item). Note: For day 10 with the cat lady and the lost boy, the day where your guardian beast wanders off will be when they give you the best reward, but you can do the same quests the next day (when you go to seal Goura) and get a regular item. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7a. Cat Lady's Missing Pet ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An old woman's cat will be out and about. The key to finding said cat is talking to the dog which is standing behind her house on a little hill. He'll bark a clue as to the location of said cat. The reward on the second to last day will be a fire ring, then a ninja scroll on the day you go to seal Goura. Day 1 - Down the stairs south of the item shop, in plain sight. Day 2 - Behind the stairs near the workshop. Day 3 - Inside the chief's house, by the fireplace. Day 4 - Near Ryouga's house, right by the rare medal freak. Day 5 - Cliff Road, by the blue-haired boy. Day 6 - In Monument Square, in plain sight. Day 7 - Inside Ryouga's house. Day 8 - Inside the chief's house on the second floor. Day 9 - At the fishing pond. Day 10 - Inside the item shop, then outside the craft shop. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7b. Little Boy's Lost Items ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Every day there will be a boy around town who's lost something (it's never said explicitly what). That item will always be where he was standing the previous day. Just wander around the general area spamming the A button to find it. Your final reward will be a water ring. Day 1 - In his house, south of the barrel. Day 2 - Outside the cat lady's house. Day 3 - Across the bridge to the left of the item shop, near the southern weathervane. Day 4 - Near the transshift monument, south of the fence on the left side of the stairs. Day 5 - To the left of the curry lady's house on the road. Day 6 - To the left of Ryouga's house, between it and the stairs. Day 7 - Outside the cat lady's house again. Day 8 - On the left edge of the bridge to the right of the cat lady's house. Day 9 - Just outside the item shop near the cliff, to the right of the sign. Day 10 - Near the cliff outside the house to the right of the cat lady's place, then to the left of the curry lady's house, like day 5. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7c. Trading Quests ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day 1 - Broken watch - Deliver it to the curry lady's husband. Day 3 - Eerie mask - Pick up from the lumberjack. Deliver it to the man in the house next door. Day 5 - Wheatgrass Juice - Pick up from the curry lady. Give it to the gatekeeper. Day 6 - Kitty Badge - Check on the summon creatures in the wind fortress for Rocky, then return to him to get the badge. Deliver it to the girl who hangs around with the kid who loses things. Day 8 - Mild Spices - Talk to the salesman at the water fortress and give them to the curry lady. Day 10 - Tablecloth - Pick it up from the kid on the far side of the bridge left of the chief's house. Give it to the old woman outside the chief's house. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7d. Rare Medals ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *** Woods and Caves *** 1 - Entry Woods Area 3 - Just down the hill, near a tree. 2 - Entry Woods Area 4 - Southwest corner, behind some bushes. 3 - Forest Outskirts Area 2 - Southernmost part of the area, in the midst of some trees. 4 - Forest Outskirts Area 3 - Climb down the vine and it will be to the right past a tree blocking your view. 5 - Roaring Cavern Area 3 - Beside the blue recovery triangle. 6 - Roaring Cavern Area 6 - In area 5, go right and drill through the discolored wall to reach a hidden chamber. 7 - Lost Woods Area 2 - Almost directly south of the cave entrance, behind the trees. 8 - Lost Woods Below Ground 2 - Near the waterfall on the lower level. 9 - Forgotten Woods Area 3 - Southern end of the screen, behind some bushes. 10 - Forgotten Woods Below Ground 2 - Between a pair of waterfalls. 11 - Vanishing Forest Area 3 - Near the hole in the ground. 12 - Vanishing Forest Below Ground Area 8 - Behind a cracked wall in area 7. *** Ruined Factory *** 13 - Ruined Factory B2 Area 2 - Behind a drill-able wall, on the right side. 14 - Ruined Factory B4 Area 1 - Take the leftmost conveyor belt as you enter. 15 - Ruined Factory B6 Area 1 - Ride the rightmost conveyor belt and drill the cracked wall at the end. The medal is in the small room to the right. 16 - Ruined Factory B6 Area 3 - Hop the middle conveyor belt and it will be at the end of the path. 17 - Ruined Factory B7 Area 2 - Take the right conveyor belt from the exit. 18 - Ruined Factory B7 Area 4 - Use the southmost exit from area 3 and follow the conveyor belts. *** Subterranean Bay *** 19 - Subterranean Bay Area 8 - Go left from the aqua elemental. 20 - Subterranean Bay Area 14 - As you enter, hit the red switch to reach it. 21 - Subterranean Bay Area 17 - Hit the first blue switch, then the red when when you reach the second group of switches. 22 - Subterranean Bay Area 20 - Hit the green switch to reach a chest and the medal in the upper right corner of the area. *** Glacier Gorge *** 23 - Glacier Gorge Area 5 - From area 4, slide right from the snow patch in the middle of the ice. It will be behind a chest. 24 - Glacier Gorge Area 12 - Take the rightmost exit from area 10. 25 - Glacier Gorge Area 18 - Slide down the ice on the right side. 26 - Glacier Gorge Area 20 - Slide up and right from the middle of the ice. *** Oni Hot Springs *** 27 - Oni Hot Springs Area 4 - Right by the geyser causing the steam. 28 - Oni Hot Springs Area 10 - Left and down from the geyser. 29 - Oni Hot Springs Area 18 - Right next to the geyser. 30 - Oni Hot Springs Area 24 - In the upper right corner of the area. 31 - Oni Hot Springs Area 25 - Received after defeating Monkey Extreme. *** Goura Labyrinth *** 32 - Goura Labyrinth B2 Area 1 - Take the middle exit from area 2 and go south. 33 - Goura Labyrinth B4 Area 2 - From the entrance of area 1, go left and down the stairs. 34 - Goura Labyrinth B8 Area 1 - In a cubby on the left of the red slime. 35 - Goura Labyrinth B9 Area 2 - Take the right exit from area 1 and go up and left till you run into the =============================================================================== 8. Acknowledgements =============================================================================== Thanks to you, the reader and gamer, for taking the time to read my faq. Much thanks to GhostOfLegault for the nice ASCII art up top. Yes, I reused it. Thanks to Atlus and the development team responsible for creating this masterpiece. Thanks to CJayC and Gamefaqs for hosting it. =============================================================================== 9. Copyright Info =============================================================================== This file is Copyright (c)2006-2007 to its respective author, namely myself. All rights reserved. This file may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed publicly without advance written permission, except www.gamefaqs.com. Use of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright. To contact me for permission to use my FAQ on your website, e-mail me here: getrelle@yahoo.com.