Order of Exploration * Possible Spoilers Kay?*

[oath5]

I must congratulate you guys on the beauty and surprising difficulty of this magnificent game. I have many questions about it, but I'm willing to explore and figure my way around so I won't be too too specific . However, I noticed while there is an underlying linear way of accessing things, (such as the large red flower bud in the Energy Temple, I assume that needs a later power to "bloom", but  I was more wondering about the order in which I should visit certain places before I venture into another for the sake of difficulty. For instance, I can now, after the energy temple, access the Kelp Forest and The lost city, castle, and cathedral of Mithalas ( did I remember that name right?) I've done a few of the puzzles in the castle,  such as dragging the medallion from the organic matter cove, and am now in the cathedral, but I have a nagging feeling I am ill equipped for the level. I currently have only three songs; shield, gravity thing (for pulling rocks) and energy form. I did get a nifty set of armor of the energy people in secret cove in the Energy Temple. Otherwise I have little else besides food items.......

So anyway, I was wondering, should I leave the cathedral and try and find some more songs and artifacts elsewhere in order to continue comfortably where I am, or am I okay and just psyching myself out? ( The cathedral's size and parasitic tunnels are rather imposing!)  I know the game stresses non linear play, but I would appreciate some sort of recommended guidance.

Anybody else find themselves a little puzzled sometimes where to go next? The world is so unbelievably huge! By the way, I also found where Nautilus Prime is, though I didn't really try to pick a fight yet- I tried it once for kicks and she killed me quickly!

[sirsteveman]

I've had similar doubts to myself, but most of the time if I stick with it I'll get through.  Some of the areas I'll get stuck on for a while, and I'm not sure if I should even be there yet, and it's hard to tell.  As for the cathedral.. I think you should continue through.  I don't think there's any particular equipment you need to pass it that you don't have.  Same goes for Nautilus Prime.  The bosses can be pretty challenging to figure out how to beat them, but so far if I've gotten to a boss I've had the proper spells to defeat them. 

But considering how non-linear the game seems to be, it could be possible to reach a boss with improper 'equipment', maybe I've just been lucky?

[oath5]

Well, for an update, I made it to a certain point in the cathedral. I went down a certain corridor- parasitic and our main character said that the water here was getting unbearable and that she should leave, for there were other places to explore. This was a different passage than one where I died at- featuring the, I guess last of three blob monsters. I killed two already, and the third one would free the mouth of this doorway, but I'm unsure if her comment before applies to that area as well, or just the other corridor I entered.

[Shadow]

Well, for an update, I made it to a certain point in the cathedral. I went down a certain corridor- parasitic and our main character said that the water here was getting unbearable and that she should leave, for there were other places to explore. This was a different passage than one where I died at- featuring the, I guess last of three blob monsters. I killed two already, and the third one would free the mouth of this doorway, but I'm unsure if her comment before applies to that area as well, or just the other corridor I entered.

If you can defeat the "blob monsters," you do not need to leave if you do not wish to. However there are a few other areas you can explore if you do not wish to go on, as she says. ^^

[Lambchops]

I had my doubts to but the Cathedral is definitely beatable at this stage. In fact it seemed to be to be more or less essential as it opens up a lot of new areas (you'll see why when you've done it!).

I'd heartily recommend pressing on, plus the last boss of the Cathedral is good fun, very satisfying when you finally fig ure out how to do it and the reward is well worth it.

[oath5]

All right, well then, I proceeded into the big boss of the Cathedral. Do I have to drug him with those poison vents? I tried staying down there but he just kept scooping me up! I know there's some trick to it. I could figure out the Energy Boss, but this area has limited mobility.....

[Shadow]

All right, well then, I proceeded into the big boss of the Cathedral. Do I have to drug him with those poison vents? I tried staying down there but he just kept scooping me up! I know there's some trick to it. I could figure out the Energy Boss, but this area has limited mobility.....

He's very hungry ... he wants to eat something ... maybe you should feed him something a little poisonous ... 

[oath5]

What about the frog thing? If I gravity pull it with me as he scoops me up, will he eat that?

I've been trying to do it, but so far he's not taking the bait.

[Shadow]

What about the frog thing? If I gravity pull it with me as he scoops me up, will he eat that?

I've been trying to do it, but so far he's not taking the bait.

He moves further back into the cave if you're in the right position. 

[Plaid Phantom]

Thanks for this, guys.  I just spent five minutes blasting on that thing (and starting to wonder whether it's the final boss...that thing is huge!) before giving up.    I ought to have known better by now; Aquaria is a better game than that.

I didn't realize I could bind those "frog things".