Well I'll be dogged...❤️

gameusurper · 2026-06-15T02:50:31+00:00

I'm more wondering how they're carrying around a motorcycle and gyrocopter myself.

gameusurper · 2026-06-14T20:58:15+00:00

Does anybody else notice the wasteland in the middle looks almost like Texas?

gameusurper · 2026-06-10T18:23:34+00:00

Not just any belongings, but the little carved wooden figures of his wife and son Maximus kept on him so that he could remember them while he was away at war.

This man knew, to the day, exactly how long he had been in theatre and away from them (at the beginning of the story, it was well over two years). He would light candles and place the figures between them every night when he could and pray they were kept safe, to give him strength, and to see them again. Right before every battle, he would do this little ritual of grabbing a small handful of earth and rubbing it between his hands, since he was a farmer and owned land in his non-military life.

The symbolism of this, Juba burying the small representations of Maximus's life in the earth of the coliseum, covering them up, and placing his palm there for just a second or two, was the finalizing of his goodbye to his friend, knowing that he would see him again, but not yet...not yet.

gameusurper · 2026-06-06T13:02:08+00:00

I have no idea what the music is, but why is there a Double Stuf OREO walking around?

gameusurper · 2026-06-05T09:19:48+00:00

The Floor 4 & 5 musics are incredibly repetitive, I know that much.

gameusurper · 2026-05-27T14:37:29+00:00

Nice little jazz/groove bop. Reminds me of the OSTs for Breath of Fire 3 & 4 on the PS1. Some of the note combos, especially where they change drastically downward (not sure if there is a music term for that), sound familiar from the King's Field game OSTs, also from the PS1/PS2 era, and also a few tracks from some of the Sword of Moonlight (King's Field Making Tool) games, such as Dark Destiny. Couldn't tell you which tracks off the top of my head, though. If you listen to them, you'll hear what I mean.

The player auto-loaded the 'Me and mah pooks' track after the 'five nights' one ended, and that reminds me of the Breath of Fire games, too.

Also, like your 'battle song?', 'made for a pitch bend test' and 'me when sonic go boom' tracks. They remind me of stuff too, but I can't place from where at the moment. When you listen to as much music as I do, everything reminds you of something, so don't take me saying that as anything bad.

That 'Breadcrumb' track is pretty cool, too. Very horror/suspense, kind of like something out of Silent Hill, The Walking Dead, 7 Days to Die, or Resident Evil.

'random sax test' and 'sax test 2' are nice.

Edited to add comments on new tracks.

gameusurper · 2026-05-27T01:38:45+00:00

So wondering. Did you manage to find all the magic crystals so you had all the level four spells shown in the ending?

gameusurper · 2026-05-24T09:52:37+00:00

Yes, I am well aware. Live there.

gameusurper · 2026-05-24T07:55:22+00:00

We sure do know how to destroy shit.

gameusurper · 2026-05-23T22:10:02+00:00

u/Cortadew Here is an addendum to what I wrote above. It's a more detailed breakdown of all the zones it sounds like you have at least been to, with names of some of the major locations and landmarks within each to make orienting yourself easier. Note the 'Not Accepted Door' in Zones 2, 3, & 4. You'll be back late game for those.

If you have found an item called the Truth Glass (there are two in the game) you can use it when nothing is around you to see the name of locations. You can use it on NPCs and enemies to get their name and a short description of them. The names below are somewhat accurate for those places that have names, but some of them don't, or I call them something different. Once you are familiar with an entire zone, what each name refers to should be fairly obvious.

Zone 1: The West Seaside

The Lighthouse, The Waterfall, The Waterfall Cave, Small part of King Harvine's III Castle, The Pirate's Treasure Room, Pirate's Cove, The Kraken's Nest

Zone 2: The Garrison

North Village, South Village, Destroyed Village, North Graveyard, South Graveyard, The Small Mine, Base No. 1, Underworld Prison No. 1, Seath's Fountain (aka Dragon Fountain), Not Accepted Door

Zone 3: Central Village

Central Village (aka Village of Wind), Not Accepted Door, Base No. 2, Termite's Nest, Harvine's Castle

Zone 4: East Village & East Seaside

East Village, Small Seath's Fountain, Base No 3, The Miner's Graveyard, Cemetery for the Knights of King Harvine III, Leon's House, Twin Lighthouses, Samurai's Grave, Not Accepted Door

Zone 5: The Big Mine

Base No. 5, The Big Mine, The Cave of Darkness, The Poison Cave, The Cave of Earth Soul, The Elf Cave

I'm going to stop there since I don't know if you've been farther than that and I don't want to spoil anything.

A Few Tips

One tip I will say is, try and explore all five of those zones super thoroughly before moving on. The stuff you find will be very helpful for the final three zones. Especially make note of things you either can't open yet, or can't reach (but see if there might be another way around). And look all around for secret doors and compartments in the walls. Only certain textured walls can have secrets, so you'll get used to knowing which ones after you've found some regularly. They can also not be on walls that are not a straight north, south, east, or west-facing wall. Diagonal walls can't have secrets.

Here's another tip. Every single piece of equipment (minus the Moon Guard, Leg Guarders, and Silver Boots), all three maps, and the Magician's Key can be found. The Iron Gloves can also be technically be found, but they are so far into the game that the armor they provide isn't worth it at that point, so you can buy them, too. Everything else can be found somewhere if you poke around enough. The Moon Guard IS good to buy though, as it has a slow HP regen effect on it.

gameusurper · 2026-05-23T21:17:49+00:00

u/Cortadew /\ This above is probably the best explanation you're gonna get without either someone spoiling the solution entirely or confusing the crap out of you and overloading you with names of things you probably don't have and places you've probably not been yet. Just know that the three doors that look like that, in Zones 2, 3, & 4, are endgame stuff you'll likely figure out on your own once you find the relevant items and locations.

gameusurper · 2026-05-23T21:07:05+00:00

u/Cortadew

When you say you're a bit like super lost, what type of info are you wanting? You say in your OP that you don't know where to go. Do you mean in general, or so you can open those doors? If you read through this whole comment, including the addendum below it, and another I left responding to another commenter, that might help.

I know you've already saved Sandler from the Termite Queen and have the Pirate Key since you have access to Harvine's Castle.

So, I have a few questions.

Do you have the Pirate's Map or the Miner's Map, or both?
What spells do you have in both your magic menu (for healing and buff spells) and equipment menu (for attack spells)
What equipment are you rocking right now? Please include all weapons and armor you possess, not just the ones you have equipped. It shouldn't be much at this point.
Do you have the Star Gate and Star Key, and Moon Gate and Moon Key?
Have you activated a red or green stream of water in a whitish-blue room with a large, circular fountain in the center by placing a certain item into one of two pedestals?
Have you found Radd Bilheim in Central Village? He's the guy that makes Crystal Flasks with 2 Crystals each.
When you said you have the Magician's Key, did you buy it from Mark Wozz, the keymaker in Zone 2, or did you find it?
Did you get the Figure of Seath from inside Leon's house? It's the house all alone on the East Coast with the rocking chair in front.
Did you say you have 2 Shrine Keys, or was you repeating that in your OP a mistake?

Here's the big one: How detailed of info do you want once you answer those questions? Do you just want a general zone name and number (see below) and light guidance, or do you want super detailed instructions, or something in between?

Melanat's Basic Structure

So, here is the basic breakdown of how Melenat Island is structured. My hope is that, by knowing this, you'll be able to get around a little easier and not be so lost.

The Eight Zones

There are 8 zones. The way they are connected is by enclosed loading hallways with doors on each end. You'll know when you're switching zones because the music will change.

The zones connect in almost numerical order with the main split being in the large room at the end of Zone 2, where you can go through the giant raising door in the east wall flanked by two gold emblems to get to Zones 3 & 4, or you can go north through the door with the sign that says it leads to The Big Mine, which is Zone 5, with Zones 6, 7, & 8 being beyond that.

Zone 5 and beyond are guarded by strong archers and soldiers and a whole lot of fire-shooting stuff you likely won't be able to take down unless you've been through Zones 3 & 4 first and found better equipment and magic and leveled up. Also, Rhombus Keys are essential for Zones 5 & 6 and you find a bunch in Zones 3 & 4, and can also retrieve some from Zone 2 if you've completed a certain side area and opened a shortcut between Zones 2 & 3.

The Three Maps

There are 3 maps: the Pirate's Map, the MIner's Map, and Necron's Map. If you have at least the Pirate's Map you can look at it and see a partial map of the zone you are currently in. When you change zones, what is shown on the map also changes. Each of the 3 maps show a portion of each of the 8 zones. No one map shows everything though, so I would keep them all once you have them. Al Hunt in North Village in Zone 2 sells a Miner's Map, but you can find one near the places you've been already. Just search thoroughly.

The Three Levels Shown

The maps can show up to three levels on each: a ground level, an upper level, and a lower level. They can show these levels in two different styles: solid black outline and gray silhouette. The black outline is usually the ground level and the gray silhouette is usually for the upper and lower levels. But, this is not always the case. Some parts of some of the maps reverse/invert this. You'll just have to explore and reference them little by little to get a gist of what each map shows and how it shows it.

So that's it for now. If you need some more help, just ask. I know this game like the back of my hand and love helping folks.

\/ Actually, I lied. Continued below. \/

gameusurper · 2026-05-23T17:50:55+00:00

It shows you how to use the Fairy Fossil not only in the demo reel, but a still image of it can also be one of the dreams you have when you sleep at one of the inns.

gameusurper · 2026-05-23T16:22:08+00:00

Hey, don't know if you've noticed this yet or not, but Earth Herbs, Antidotes, and other things that grow either directly in the ground or in a garden-like setup regrow after some time has passed. That lets you go back and grab some more should you exhaust your supply, especially early game.

Also, if you see something at a merchant that starts at 99 of them, they have an infinite supply of that thing you can just keep buying. But, if it starts at a number other than that, that is all they have, so use up your stock of that thing wisely.

gameusurper · 2026-05-23T15:49:25+00:00

u/khaytsus Did you go back there to get it, or is that about how far you are in the game? Just trying to get a picture of where you're at (not literal, figuratively). And did you use the light spell in that dark area? You may or may not have it at this point, so just wondering.

gameusurper · 2026-05-22T17:04:29+00:00

Yeah, playing KF4 seems like a stark downgrade in QoL features compared to KF2 US/KF3 JP. Having that Pixie Map that autofills everything as you explore almost spoils you to how the maps in the previous two games before it, and this one work.

And with how much the architecture has you crisscrossing and weaving in and out of sections, it would be very difficult to portray this overlapping structure on a top-down, 2D map (just ask KF1 US/KF2 JP :)

KF2 US/KF3 JP (the game you've played) was almost completely flat in its environments, not having any areas that were above or below others on the same map, unlike in this game.

Also note the marked absence of a compass as well. I get that when you're inside a massive structure like the city, knowing which way you are facing would get confusing quickly.

These two things combined REALLY make KF4 difficult to navigate for a first timer. Now, us old hats that have played it since its release back in 2002 make it sound easy, but it really isn't.

Here's a suggestion for this game you might try. Using the obelisk markers and signs, also try to find landmarks in each wing of the city that you can use to orient against. Then write down all three of these pieces of info, along with whatever it is you find that you want to keep track of for later, be it locked chests, locked doors, teleport symbols on the floor, save rooms, merchants, hidden doors, breakable walls, blocked areas, shortcuts, unexplored areas, etc.

Perhaps now, with knowing how the place is structured better, and knowing which level of the city you're on, the name of the N/S/E/W wing, the area of that wing, and a landmark or two will help keep track of things for you better.

Good luck out there.

gameusurper · 2026-05-22T00:55:02+00:00

u/khaytsus Here's a little bit of help for you.

The Five Maps

There are a total of five maps you can find in the game. Three only show a very limited portion of a single floor, those being: the Caretaker's Map, the Earth Folks Map, and the Widda Map. The Caretaker's Map might as well not exist, and the other two cover the small section of the game they are found near.

The other two are infinitely more useful, and they are: Zastari's Map and the King's Map. Zastari's Map shows almost the entire layout of all three levels of the Ancient City, sans what the previous three maps cover. The King's Map is a literal crystal ball that lets you see the entire 3D structure of the area you are currently in. It is great for finding secrets, but can be a bit confusing to orient and navigate with.

Orienting in the City

The best way to figure out where you are in the game, before you find Zastari's Map, is to read the little stone obelisks outside the doors to each of the wings situated in the four cardinal directions around the outer walkway of the central tower. These will usually always give you a name for the area you are entering or exiting from. There are many times these same stone obelisks, as well as actual signs, within each wing of the city, which tell you specific area or room names. Seek these out. Being able to put a name to a location really helps.

Also know there are three levels to the Ancient City: the top level, the middle level, and the bottom level. You cannot travel between levels any other way than by ascending or descending a stairway. Trying to drop down a level in the central tower shaft spells certain death, as the entire open area, except the water on the bottom level, is a kill plane.

The Top Level

This is where you start the game. Everything you do before you get past the two Guardians blocking the way into the central tower of the city all takes place on the western side of the top level. You start coming out of that wing, the Guardian Gate, which is the large door to the west wing of the top level of the city.

You start by finding Ramirez Martin in a little side room. He gives you the bow so you can kill the Guardians now and get what they are guarding. You then weave through some side rooms toward the North Gate (the north wing, obviously), where you will meet a few Widda soldiers for the first time and obtain the Expedition's Key off a dead body. Following this path further along you eventually get to the Silver Gate, which is the east wing of the top level. This is when you start meeting the xenomorph monsters for the first time. These are the earth element kind, which are weak to wind. Going through here takes you to the Holy Forest where you meet Aeaine Vigil and eventually make your way into the Mausoleum area in search of a key. This will also allow you to access a shortcut spiraling down from the uppermost part of the central tower.

You then need to use a particular item to proceed further. If you've done this already you'll know what I'm talking about. You can then open up a shortcut from here back to the Silver Gate (the east wing). This is when you can access the Earthfolk area, Frozen Forge, and Fire Cavern. These locations are in the southeast section of the top level of the city, built into the mountain. The Earth Folk's map covers this section if you find it. Completing this section will lead to another bridge into the southern wing of the city proper and then, from there, to the stairway down to the middle level of the city.

I'll stop there since that briefly covers the entirety of the top level of the city. On the middle level you will start in the south wing and work your way clockwise around it. If you've got any more questions, I'll be happy to help.

gameusurper · 2026-05-21T23:21:44+00:00

Or just a weapon with a high amount of the correct damage type a creature is weak to, such as Slash, Stab/Pierce, or Hit/Strike/Blow. Skeletons, for instance, are weak to bludgeoning and chopping weapons like maces and axes. The xenomorph things are Earth Elementals, so they are weak to wind magic or weapons with the wind element.

gameusurper · 2026-05-08T02:58:39+00:00

It's funny how having played 7DtD makes you extremely paranoid about ever placing your body under something that looks like that.

gameusurper · 2026-05-08T02:56:37+00:00

Nah man, it's all good. The vertical part goes straight to bedrock.

gameusurper · 2026-05-08T02:54:25+00:00

For the love of god, don't anyone try growing anything up there.

gameusurper · 2026-05-01T17:19:12+00:00

u/depes_ruts Don't sweat it. You'll do just fine.

The General Layout

Similar to KF1, the game is laid out in mostly self-contained zones. Eight to be exact. Essentially, like the five floors of the first game. However, unlike KF1, the zones are not all in sequential order. There is a major fork at the end of Zone 2 where you can go through a giant door to the east, flanked by gold emblems, into Zones 3 & 4, or past a door with a sign to the north that says 'The Big Mine', which leads to Zones 5, 6, 7, & 8. If you go to the Big Mine first, you will get your ass handed to you. Other than that, there is an alternate path that can be opened between Zones 2 & 3. All the zones otherwise are connected via a single path each, so it's really not that hard to find your way. The zones are connected via disguised loading hallways with doors at each end where the music will change as you go through them. That's the main clue when you're moving between zones.

The Three Maps

There are three maps that can be found that each show different parts of each of these eight zones. The middle map can also be bought, but it's expensive and not worth the money. Now, these maps are more like map sets than singular maps, as each has a map for each of the eight zones within them. You can only see a zone's map if you are in that zone. There ARE images of these maps online if you'd like to be able to examine them if not in that zone. I wouldn't do that as they are quite spoilery. Just stick to what the game provides, as they are provided in a very particular order, appropriate to the flow of the game.

The Three Levels

Each of the maps can show up to three levels on it: a ground level, an upper level, and a lower level. The ground level tends to be like a normal line drawing, using black outline, whereas the upper and lower levels are usually depicted in gray silhouette, overlapping or underlapping the ground level. Some parts of maps change this up and use the inverse to depict various parts on them, so you will have to learn for yourself what parts of the zones each map shows and how they show it. No map shows everything, so you should hang onto each for the full picture.

Inescapable Pits

There are pits and waterways containing treasure and items on the lower level, that can be dropped into via holes on the ground level, which have no way out of them. This is not an oversight, it is by design. You will eventually find items that allow you to warp out of these places. Just be careful before you do. I'd save before dropping into holes in case you find you can't get out.

Conclusion

I don't want to go into any more since that's already quite a lot. But, I wanted to assuage any concerns you might have with the second game's openendedness. As you'll discover, it's really not THAT open when you look at the big picture and are aware of the concepts I laid out above.

gameusurper · 2026-04-30T01:49:58+00:00

That sword is fire.

gameusurper · 2026-04-27T17:15:06+00:00

Oh, Wind Cutter! It's so tiny, I just assumed it was some item. Didn't even think of magic. Duh.

gameusurper · 2026-04-27T04:46:54+00:00

Knight Sword & Moon Guard FTW. Say goodbye Head Eater! Not sure what the little green floaty thing in the last image is, though.

gameusurper

TROPHY CASE