Important Gameplay Tips

Combat Basics: Utilize universal combos and actions like Dodging and Guarding. Time your guard just before an enemy hits you to perform a counter; press the square button immediately after sparks fly to execute it. This works with all weapons, dealing more damage with higher attack power. Experiment with various square and triangle button combinations, including those performed after dodging or side-stepping, to discover different combos. When an enemy is downed, press the circle button near them to perform a finisher, which deals significant damage and instantly kills most enemies, with only a few enemies on hard difficulty and the recycled vessel capable of surviving.

Weapon Specializations: One-handed swords prioritize speed over power and are most useful in part 1 when enemies are not armored. Two-handed swords offer raw power, with most being effective against non-armored or armor-broken foes. Upgrading two-handed swords at higher levels significantly increases their damage against armored enemies, though their combos have slow movement. Spears are specialized for fast and strong attacks, particularly effective for armor destruction, with stronger spears breaking armor faster on normal enemies and bosses. They also have superior aerial combos, making them ideal for breaking boss armor.

Magic System: Weapon magic attack power affects spell effectiveness, so switch weapons accordingly.

Dark Blast: Your primary ranged magic attack. Rapidly tapping the button is more effective than holding it, as the first blast is the strongest. It can be comboed with melee attacks to greatly increase damage. Dark Blast is also excellent for delivering ailments due to the number of shots landed; using a poison word with a strong level word can be effective against non-story bosses.

Dark Lance: Another ranged attack that costs more MP than Dark Blast. Holding the button creates more lances, proportional to MP used, making it effective against bosses or rows of enemies. It requires strategic thought and timing due to its MP cost and charge time, and is generally not effective against heavy armor. Time slows down when charging and standing still.

Dark Hand: A close-range spell similar to Dark Lance. Holding the button and releasing it performs a powerful close-range attack, effective for knocking away enemies of any size.

Dark Gluttony: Absorbs bright red magic orbs (not purple ones) while holding the button, then releases a powerful beam. Its strength depends on the amount absorbed, limited by your MP. It is good against magic-using bosses but not in part 2, and is a specialized spell.

Dark Wall: The only defensive spell. A partial charge creates limited-strength, short-duration barriers. A full charge creates a spherical barrier around you, excellent against bosses, magic spammers, and swarms of enemies. It allows you to attack freely without taking damage, and can be reactivated instantly if its time limit ends. You can charge Dark Wall while one is active. It is advised to replace Guard with Dark Wall for its defensive capabilities. Time slows down when standing still and charging.

Dark Phantasm: Creates a clone to attack a target, with range increased by holding the button and using MP. It is not considered very strong compared to other options.