Hidden Messages & Symbols

Discover hidden messages and symbols in ULTRAKILL's first mission, 1-1: HEART OF THE SUNRISE. Learn about secrets, lore, and more with this beginner-friendly guide.

Hey there! So, you're diving into ULTRAKILL and want to know about any hidden stuff in the first mission, "1-1: HEART OF THE SUNRISE"? While this level doesn't really have any hidden messages or symbols in the way you might expect, it's packed with secrets and important lore drops that are totally worth keeping an eye out for. Think of it as the game laying the groundwork for you. This mission, the very first one in the LIMBO layer, is a big change from Prelude. Instead of gritty industrial vibes, you're greeted by a serene, almost garden-like outdoor area. It's where you'll meet the Drone, your first Lesser Machine enemy, and grab the Nailgun), your third unlockable weapon. Let's break down the key areas and where you might find some neat secrets: ### Fountain This is the first room you'll see. It's got trees, a half-buried Malicious Face, and a Cerberus fountain. You'll need to grab the Blue Skull from the door on the right to progress. Keep in mind, after you get the Blue Skull and return here, some Strays and Filth will pop up. ### Waterfall Arena This is where you'll first encounter Drones. After you clear out the initial enemies, more Drones will appear. Later, when you return with the Blue Skull, a couple more Drones will spawn. Keep pushing through, and you'll find another arena with a river and a bridge. Be careful, as approaching the bridge triggers more Drones, and reaching the end of the river spawns Schisms and more Drones. ### Castle Interior Inside the castle, you'll find the Nailgun) in a central garden area. Picking it up summons a Malicious Face for you to test your new weapon on. Watch out for Strays that appear near the stairs as you move forward. ### Magnet Hallway This hallway introduces you to the Attractor Nailgun's magnetic properties. As you advance, more Filth and then Strays and Drones will spawn. The room after this holds the Blue Skull and a Checkpoint. Grabbing the skull opens a shortcut back to the Waterfall Arena. ### Church Once you place the Blue Skull on the pedestal, the rest of the level opens up. The first room here spawns a bunch of Strays and Drones. The final room starts with Strays and Schisms, and after you clear them, more Drones will appear. Defeating them all opens the Level Exit. ## Secrets While there aren't any secret messages, there are definitely secrets to find, mostly in the form of collectibles: * #1 (Soul Orb): Near the Red Pedestal, look for a collapsed pillar. A discolored wall panel behind it hides a Soul Orb. * #2 (Soul Orb): Head through the left door from the Red Pedestal. Jump up the layered tower to find another Soul Orb. * #3 (Blood Orb): In the Waterfall Arena, go through the holographic waterfall. You'll find a Blood Orb there. Keep an eye out for these, especially if you're aiming for a high rank! The game's full of little things to discover, and this first mission is a great introduction to that.