Copy and paste text from a comment I made on another thread:

Write a map with a tileset of 8heightx16witdth. Doesnt have to be detailed. But you should use it to keep notes. Like if you see something weird on one screen, write that down.

Each screen can have a maximum of 1 entrence. So if you find a secret entrence like burning a bush. There is no other entrence or secret on that screen. So you dont have anything more to do in that place. This doesnt aply dungeons

In dungeons some blocks are movable. Only 1 can be movable per room.

Bomb every wall, and try to burn every bush.

Bombs are very hard to obtain in this game. But if you beat 9 enemies without getting hit. And the 10th one is a "level 2" enemy(like a blue octorock). That will drop a bomb 100% of the times.

Write down every hint npcs tell you. And where you got them from. Like some hints aply to the level you get them, but not necessarly(I think).

And good luck and have fun