GET YOUR BEARINGS
Plan your next 9 Years of Shadows session
Our independent guide offers deeper observations on the core pillars of 9 Years of Shadows, helping players appreciate narrative depth, companion dynamics, elemental traversal, musical integration, and platform conveniences without promising hidden shortcuts or exclusive rewards.
01 / THE GUIDE
Story Immersion
Compare early narrative moments with later revelations to see how Europa’s motivations evolve, noting how environmental storytelling reinforces the curse’s impact on the world.
- Observe environmental details for hidden passages that lead deeper into Talos.
- Note enemy designs; recurring motifs can hint at upcoming challenges.
02 / THE GUIDE
Apino Utility
Track Apino’s projectile usage across different enemy types, noting which attack clears dark crystals most efficiently and how his shield timing affects hazard navigation.
- Activate Apino’s shield when navigating areas dense with environmental danger.
- Try each projectile type to see which clears specific obstacles most efficiently.
03 / THE GUIDE
Armor Transition
Experiment with rapid armor swaps in a single area to observe how each element alters movement, then record which combinations feel most fluid for platforming sections.
- Equip water armor before entering areas with strong currents for smoother navigation.
- Match armor elements to boss attack patterns to increase damage effectiveness.
04 / THE GUIDE
Musical Note Collection
Map locations of musical notes and correlate them with health restoration opportunities, assessing whether note density aligns with tougher combat zones.
- Gather musical notes whenever possible to keep the healing lullaby available.
- Pay attention to the soundtrack as you explore; the music is closely tied to gameplay and storytelling.
05 / THE GUIDE
Controller Comfort
Play identical segments using the controller, noting any comfort differences in combat combos or traversal, and decide which setup best suits personal playstyle.
- Use family sharing to let friends try the game without buying another copy.
- Try playing with a controller to find a comfortable setup for combat and traversal.
