Get your swords at the ready because it’s time for some good old-fashioned hack and slashing! In the rough and harrowing world of Soulstice, take control of sisters Briar and Lute and have them safely reach their objective of the Tear in the Sky to protect all of humanity, but don’t get too headstrong. There are a few things you should know about first before delving headfirst into all the danger and horror! It’s for your own protection after all, and Briar and Lute deserve to be protected at all costs, so here’s how you can be caring guardians to the two tragic souls.
Helpful Tips and Tricks For Beginners to Conquer Soulstice
Explore But Not for Too Long!
The game requires players to quickly and efficiently explore whilst keeping an eye on how long they’ve spent running around. Soulstice requires quick chapter progress to obtain the best score possible for the entire game overall of Diamond. But don’t be too headstrong in getting the perfect score at least on your initial run because other achievements will need your attention.
Outside of combat and running into sudden fights, void challenges are hidden in each level and are effectively tucked away. The challenge is not only within the void but locating them, so keep your eyes peeled on corners the fixed camera can obscure!
Collecting Crimson Tear Residue and Cobalt Tear Residue is also an absolute must in the game to spend on building Briar and Lute into the harmonic killing machines that they have the potential to be. Collecting the latter increases Briar’s abilities, whilst the former increases Lute’s powers and skills. These points can then be spent in Layton’s shop.
Spend time with Layton Conversing and Shopping
Speaking of Layton’s shop, here’s a breakdown of what you can buy from this elusive Observer of Briar and her Shade. Everything costs the points of Crimson Tear Residue other than the Cobalt Tear Crystal which requires Cobalt Tear Residue.
- The Emerald Tear Shard restores a bit of health (can only carry five at a single time) and costs 350
- Emerald Tear Crystal restores a lot of health (can only carry three at a single time) and costs 1,000
- Ashes of a fallen Chimera revives Briar (can only carry two at a single time) and costs 3,000
- Elixir of Clarity freezes Entropy temporarily (can only carry three at a single time) and costs 1,500
- Incense of Harmony maximizes the Unity level (can only carry one at a single time) and costs 2,000
- Forbearance Serum makes Briar temporarily invulnerable (can only carry one at a single time) and costs 3,000
- Sturdy Husk Chunk -increases Briar’s health pool and costs 10,000 (is stocked at 4)
- Iridescent Ethereal Weave decreases Entropy level (affects Lute and her ability to withstand overcharging) and costs 10,000 (is stocked at 4)
Always approach Layton whenever you see him since this does not only grant access to unlocking more skills and spending points in his shop in the middle of a chapter but also allows exclusive conversation and dialogue to occur when talking to him. Never skip doing this since they are heavily related to its story-building and lore.
Remember that You Can Cycle Through Your Inventory
Soulstice has a particular difficulty spike that occurs after beating the second boss and having to crank down on spending some Crimson Tear Residue in Layton’s shop. Fortunately, taking any amount of time exploring outside of battle does reward hidden items in certain crooks and crannies.
Either way, never forget to hold down the RB button and cycle through them, especially because you can hold onto only a few at a time! Passing some items by while being unable to backtrack out of boss fights may just be a minor grievance but it will still be something nagging on your mind. Ensure to utilise them whenever you see fit to make room for more when drastic times call for dramatic measures.
Focus on Utilizing All Weapons in Every Single Fight
For any Devil May Cry ad Bayonetta veteran, they will know what they are in for when they see a glimpse of the chapter results screen of Soulstice. Aiming for perfection across all levels requires dodging and evading attacks flawlessly whilst always dealing damage to increase that all-important Unity level. Another major factor in influencing the Unity level is ensuring to swap out your weapons all the time.
While some will be more beneficial against certain opponents, such as flying Wraiths being easier to take down with the Hallowed Hunter, ensure to perfect locking on and taking down any kind of opponents with an airborne move that brings them down to the ground (this is usually done by one tap of X then Y). It can be tough work to find the right groove for each battle, but keep at improving in performing with all the weapons to make achieving a perfect score all that easier to do.
Don’t be scared of going Berserk and aim for Unity all the time
Pulling off Unity is what you want to be aiming for in every single battle in Soulstice because it’s the clearest indicator of performing well in any given fight, meaning a near-on if not perfect score as a result for its battle and chapter. To successfully pull of Unity you should be hitting hit after hit consecutively without being knocked back or down and prompting Lute’s abilities at the right time, such as having her block attacks towards the right target.
Going Berserk can and will happen, but it does not have to be the end of Briar and Lute as long as you help them through it. Briar loses her composure and control when going Berserk, which occurs when pulling off Unity when Briar’s health is low. The game will prompt you to pull and push Briar in the correct direction when attacking so that she is not in a blind and ineffective range. When the form starts to wean off, players have to button mash the corresponding button shown on the screen as Lute to bring Briar back from the brink of ruin.
Again, do not let this put you off. Making use of Unity whenever possible will save you during battle, and even if a game over is a possibility with Berserker mode, as long as you keep your eyes and fingers at the ready to restore Briar’s humanity, then you’ve got this in the bag.
Related: How to find Malformed Husk Fragments and Feeble Ethereal Filaments in Soulstice
