Ascension
Head up the envelope and follow the path until you see the cutscene where you meet the Nightmare again. He is the Fear of Loss. Waves of depression start rolling in from the right. Make your way across the papers and up the tack path in between the waves, as these will harm you if you touch them. Follow the path until you reach a junction with an upturned tack path and an eraser leading off. Cross the eraser and make your way across the next island, using the books as pausing places. The books block the waves of depression, creating gaps for you to take shelter in as you cross. Take the eraser path at the bottom left and kick the switch.
Make your way across the book instead of trying to get back across the eraser, as the waves of depression will catch you out with your speed if you try the latter. Make use of the gaps, conveniently marked by the stone slabs, and cross the now downturned tack path. Cross back in front of the books and take the tack path on the left. Take the platform up to find an abandoned house.
This is the final memory needed for the following two achievements:
Take the platform up. You'll be ambushed by three Tentacles, which is another perfect time to try and get the Deadly Spin achievement if you haven't done so already by killing two with the same charged strike, as well as the Blade Master achievement for hitting three at once with a charged strike. Once Tentacles #1, #2 and #3 are defeated, pick up the endorphins they drop and take the path created by the post-it notes.
At the top is a Shell Creature. You'll need to move it as shown in the diagram below. Hit it with your sword and it will scuttle forward. Wait for the wave of depression to pass, quickly walk up to it, kick it once to turn it so it's facing downwards, hit it with your sword and quickly stand behind it as the next wave passes. Kick the creature once so it is facing left, then hit it to move it. Stand behind it as the next wave passes. Kick it so that it faces upwards, move to the side, hit it again so that it moves and then stand on the eraser behind it to wait for the next wave to pass. Kick the creature once more so it faces right, and then hit it so that it scuttles to the end of the path. Quickly follow it and stand in front of it this time -- the waves are coming from the opposite direction. Kick it three times so that it faces upwards, and then hit it so it moves forwards. Follow it and wait for the next wave to pass. Grab the
metal disc and make your way back down the book behind the Shell Creature. When it's clear, take the stone walkway.
Place the metal disc on the broken elevator and take it up. Keep following the path until you get to a battery socket. Two Spiders will appear. Follow the stone walkway, defeating both of them and picking up the endorphins they drop, before picking up the
blue battery at the end. Place the battery in the socket. You'll be ambushed by four Tentacles (#4, #5, #6 and #7). Again, this is another perfect time to try and get the Deadly Spin achievement if you haven't done so already by killing two with the same charged strike, as well as the Blade Master achievement for hitting three at once with a charged strike. Pick up the endorphins they drop, and then take the tack path.
Here is another Shell Creature. You'll need to move it as shown in the diagram below, all while avoiding the waves of depression. Kick the creature twice and then hit it to move it up. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it left so that it collides with the eraser. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it down. Kick it once and then hit it to move it left. Kick it once and then hit it to move it up. In between waves of depression, come out from behind the creature and kick the top orange switch. A book will fall from the sky and will create a bridge to the next section of the puzzle.
Kick the creature twice and then hit it to move it down. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it right. Kick it once and then hit it to move it down. Kick it once and then hit it to move it left. Kick it once and then hit it to move it up. Kick the bottom green switch to lift up two of the stone slabs. Now kick the creature twice and then hit it to move it down. Kick the bottom green switch again to lower the slabs back into place. Kick the creature once and then hit it to move it left across the book bridge. Kick the creature once and then hit it to move it up. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it left. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it down. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it right. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it up the ruler bridge. When the next wave passes the creature, make a break for it across the tack path to the left.
You'll encounter the Fear of Loss again, who sinks the eraser bridge across the river. Go across the envelope instead and then take the tack path down to another Shell Creature puzzle. You'll need to move it as shown in the diagram below, but there are no waves of depression to avoid this time. The first creature's (at the top) movements are in black while the second creature's (at the bottom) movements are in blue.
Hit Creature 2 so that it moves right and collides with the raised slab. Go to the bottom right of the area and kick the switch so that those slabs sink into the floor but another rises near the top of the area. Hit Creature 1 so that it moves left and collides with the raised slab. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it down until it collides with Creature 2. Hit Creature 2 so that it moves right again. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it up. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it left. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it down until it collides with Creature 1. Finally, kick it once and then hit it to move it left. Take the stone path, using the creature as a refuge to avoid the waves of depression.
The path will fall away behind you, so keep going across the envelope. For this next section, you'll need to move quickly to dodge the waves of depression. Follow as close as you can to the preceding wave and zigzag around to the next blue island. Wait for the next wave and then use the same tactic to cross the book to the adjacent island. The next section has some books that will fall away. They'll kick up a cloud of dust to warn you that they're about to fall. Wait for the wave to pass and then follow on its tail while zigzagging around the books. At the end, take the stone path to the right and pick up the
blue battery.
The path behind will turn around, so you'll need to take the top tack path. Unfortunately this also means you'll need to work your way back through the second and third sections of book maze that you've just done. This time, take the stone path to the left before taking the tack path up. Pick up the
blue battery. Again, the path behind will turn around, so you'll need to take the top tack path. You'll need to redo the third section of the book maze for the final time too. Take the stone path to the left and place both batteries in the two blue battery sockets. Cross the tack bridge and pick up the
drained battery.
Go back across the tack bridge. Take the stone path to the right and place the drained battery in the battery charger. Stand on the purple button to charge the battery, then pick up the now
purple battery when it's done. Cross the stone path again and place the purple battery in the purple battery socket. Cross the newly created stone bridge and kick the switch. Go back across either bridge and pick up the
purple battery. Cross the bridge again and take the path to the left to pick up the endorphins released when you used the purple battery. Follow Piper's instructions and step on the button.
The book floats off to an island we missed previously. Head up the envelope, ignore the tack path to the right and cross the next envelope. Place the purple battery in the battery socket. The eraser bridge will rise again. Cross it and pick up the endorphins that were released. Take the bridge into the next level.
Anchorage Follow the path and go up the elevator. At the top is a switch. When you step on it, it will trigger a memory puzzle to be completed. If you don't get it right, you can't leave the grid. There are three possible solutions:
At the other side is an island where a void will appear. You'll also be ambushed by a Plague Rat. Defeat the Plague Rat, pick up the endorphins he drops, and take the elevator up. You'll watch as the Fear of Loss floats off on a book. Once he's left, turn the handle until the books are aligned and then step on the red button to follow him. You'll fly through waves of despair, so make sure to line yourself up with the gaps in them to avoid harm.
When your book comes to a halt, take the tack path to the right and kick the switch. Follow the glass path and turn the handle twice at the end. There are three possible solutions to the puzzle:
Kick the red switch and turn the handle twice. Stand on the button for a new puzzle:
Go up the elevator and cross the stone bridge. Kick the switch at the end. Go back across the bridge and down the elevator. Turn the handle once. The route that you take will be the reverse of those from the last puzzle.
Kick the red switch again. Take the path away from the area and keep turning the handle at the end until the books align. Pick up the endorphins that are generated by the moving books and then step on the red button. As you approach the solid wave of despair, quickly step off onto the island on the left. Take the elevator up. At the top you'll be ambushed by three Tentacles. It's another perfect time to try and get the Deadly Spin achievement if you haven't done so already by killing two with the same charged strike, as well as the Blade Master achievement for hitting three at once with a charged strike. Once Tentacles #8, #9 and #10 are defeated, you'll have defeated enough Tentacles to earn the following achievement:
Pick up the endorphins they drop. This will be enough to get your final health upgrade and the following achievement:
Turn the handle once. Pick up the
green battery. Go back and turn the handle twice. Use the green battery in the battery socket. Pick up the
handle. Go back, picking up the
green battery as you pass. Turn the handle twice. Put the green battery in the battery socket. Put the handle in the empty handle base and turn it once. Go back, picking up the
green battery as you go. Turn the first handle once and pick up the
metal disc. Return to the first handle again, turn it once and place the green battery in the battery socket. Use the metal disc on the broken elevator and take it up. You'll come to another shell creature puzzle. The first creature's (on the left) movements are in black while the second creature's (on the right) movements are in blue.
Hit Creature 1 so that it moves to the right. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it up. Kick Creature 2 twice and then hit it so it moves left. Kick it once and then hit it to move it up. Kick it once and then hit it to move it right. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it up so that it collides with Creature 1. Kick it once and then hit it to move it right. While making sure to stay in the shadow of Creature 2, kick Creature 1 three times and then hit it to move it left. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it down. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it right. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it up and get back behind Creature 2. Kick the orange switch at the bottom of the area -- this will move Creature 1 into a new position.
Kick Creature 1 twice so that it faces downwards and hit it once so that it collides with Creature 2. Kick Creature 2 once and then hit it so it moves down. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it right. Return to Creature 1 and hit it to move it down again. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it right so that it collides with Creature 2. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it up. Finally, kick it once and then hit it to move it right. Follow in its shadow and go down the warning sign.
Take the elevator down. You've found the book but it's stuck again. Cross the book and turn the handle twice. You'll need to solve another memory puzzle, so step on the button. The solutions are:
As you cross the bridge on the other side, you'll encounter the Fear of Loss again. As he taunts you, run past him, cross the paperwork at the top and head down the other side. You'll need to avoid waves of despair and the voids that he'll create. Pick up the
drained battery at the end. Head back the way you came. There will be a lot more voids to avoid, and the waves of despair will have changed direction and be moving quicker, so be careful. When you get back to the bridge, the Fear of Loss will float away. Turn the handle once and step on the button. The solutions are:
This path is also covered in voids and there will be Spiders throwing cobweb balls at you. You can't reach any of the Spiders to kill them, so keep pushing forward until you can pick up the
handle at the end of the path. Cross the eraser bridge that has just appeared. Turn the handle once and step on the button. The solutions are:
Put the drained battery in the battery socket. Place the handle in the empty handle base and turn it until the battery floats over to the charger. Let the handle go and pick up the
purple battery. Go back to the green handle and turn it once, then step on the button. The solutions are:
Put the purple battery in the battery socket. Pick up the endorphins that come out of the battery and step on the red button. You'll float off into the next level.
The Summit After crashing the book, continue up the path until you encounter the Fear of Loss again. You'll also find another creature puzzle. Hit the Creature to move it forward and knock the sign over. Hit it again to move it forward once the sign has fallen. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it up. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it left. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it down. Go over to the purple switch and kick it. This will move the book on which the Creature is standing. When it's in its new position, kick it three times and then hit it to move it right to knock the second sign over. Kick it twice and then hit it to move the Creature left out of the way.
Go over to the orange switch and kick it to lower the book that gives access to the next level. Then go over to the purple switch and kick that again to send the Creature back to the largest area. Kick the Creature twice and then hit it to move it right onto the book. Kick the orange switch again to raise the book and the Creature. Hit the Creature to move it right. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it up and knock the final sign over. Finally, kick it twice and then hit it to move it down out of the way.
Head up the steps and eventually you'll encounter the Fear of Loss again. He's standing above another creature puzzle, but this time he sticks around and causes waves of depression to wash towards you, so make sure to avoid these by standing behind the creature or the upright sign posts. Before doing anything else, pick up the
purple battery and put it in the battery socket. This starts the book platform moving.
Hit the creature so that it moves left. Kick it once and then hit it to move it up. Kick it once and then hit it to move it right and knock the sign over. When the book platform moves so that it is attached to the sign that you just knocked over, hit the Creature again so that it moves onto the book and follow it. Kick the creature once and then hit it to move it down. When the book is level with the bottom platform, kick the creature once and then hit it to move it left. Kick it once and then hit it to move it up. Kick it once and then hit it to move it right. Kick it once and then hit it to move it down and knock the sign over. When the book is level with the bottom platform again, kick the creature three times and then hit it to move it right, back onto the book and out of the way. Before following it, kick the purple switch the raise the stone on the top platform.
Follow the creature onto the book. Kick the creature three times and then hit it to move it up. When the book is level with the top platform, kick the creature three times and then hit it to move it left. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it down. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it right so that it collides with the raised stone. Kick it three times and then hit it to move it up and knock the sign over. Finally, kick it once and then hit it to move it right and out of the way.
Go up the sign. As you approach the Fear of Loss, he'll leap out of the way but also drop a number of endorphins. Pick these up and follow the path down to the warning triangle. When you step on this the island will move to the next book. Go up the steps until you reach a circular platform. Guess who's here again. Kick the switch. The two metal bridges that lead off the platform will lower and rotate. Step back onto the circular platform when you can. When one of the bridges lines up with the bottom island, step on the red button in the centre to stop them. Pick up the
green battery and step back onto the circular platform. When one of the bridges lines up with the top island, step on the red button in the centre to stop them. Put the battery in the battery socket and climb up the steps that form.
Carry on until you reach a switch. Ignore it for now and move onto the large circular platform. The Fear of Loss is here again. He'll throw waves of despair at you, all while the metal bridges around the platform are lowered and rotate, and the platform itself also rotates. When one of the bridges lines up with the left island, stand on the red button in the centre. Pick up the
orange battery and step back onto the circular platform. The platform will rotate while waves of despair come towards you. Dodge these and eventually the metal bridges start rotating again.
When one of the bridges lines up with the centre island, stand on the red button in the centre. Put the battery in the orange battery socket and kick the switch. Step back onto the circular plinth. When one of the bridges lines up with the right island, stand on the red button in the centre again. Pick up the
green battery and return to the circular platform. Again, the platform will rotate while waves of despair come towards you, so dodge these as best you can. Eventually the metal bridges start rotating again, and when one of them lines up with the centre island, stand on the red button in the centre.
Place the green battery in the battery socket. Get back onto the circular plinth. Like before, the platform will rotate while waves of despair come towards you, so dodge these as best you can. When the metal bridges start rotating again, wait until one of them lines up with the right island before standing on the red button. Climb the newly created steps and watch as the nightmare leaps through a broken windscreen and escapes again. Pick up the endorphins he dropped and follow him around the windscreen and up the steps on the left.
There are no surprises for guessing who's ready to serenade you at the top of the steps again. As he does this, dodge the waves of despair that come across the island from all directions. As the final unavoidable waves of despair approach the pair, Piper finally snaps and takes some drastic action. The nightmare disappears again, but so do the waves of despair. Climb up the newly formed steps and take the lit island away from here. Climb the steps to reach your final showdown.
First some areas of the arena will disappear and the Fear throws four bubbles of despair at you. When they hit the floor, they send multiple waves of despair flying towards the edge of the area. Avoid all of these and the pools they leave behind. After this, the missing areas of the arena return and he leaps towards you three times. Every time he lands, he creates a void and sends waves of despair flying towards the edge of the area. After the third leap, he'll jump into the centre and start spinning towards you. Lure him towards one of the voids he just created but try not to let him hit you, as the whole cycle starts again if he does. When he hits the void, he becomes stunned, so hit him as many times as you can. He'll recover from his daze and leap back onto the dashboard.
This pattern will repeat again, only different areas of the arena will disappear. Lure him into a void and hit him as many times as you can again. Repeat for a third time. He'll leap back to the dashboard but will be fatally wounded. A cassette is ejected from the dashboard -- use this to approach him. Hit the Fear of Loss once more. You'll get the following achievement:
Pick up the endorphins dropped by the Fear of Loss. A new path will open up to the left, so follow it. Step on the sign at the end of the path and the island will float off to a new area. Keep following the path and step on the sign to travel to another island. Here you'll need to cross onto another moving island. Finally you'll reach one with a button. Stand on the button and take the newly created path onto another floating island. Keep going until you find another button on which you need to stand. This allows access to another floating island and the chain continues.
Eventually you'll reach a faded grey island with a red phone at the top. This is the Cortex Connector. Speak into it. You have reached the end of the game and the final achievement:
Congratulations on your latest completion!
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