Starting a new game in a fast-paced action RPG like Valkyrie Elysium can be overwhelming, especially when you realize later on how much time you could have saved with just a bit of extra knowledge. This guide dives into ten essential insights that will not only improve your first playthrough but also spare you from frustrating backtracking and missed opportunities. These are the things I wish I had known before diving in.
1. Check Your Map—Religiously
It’s easy to get tunnel vision and follow the main path through a chapter, but your map is more than just a general navigation tool—it’s your key to full completion. Every blue dot represents something important, like blossoming flowers, which are easily missed if you’re not actively checking the map. Miss one, and you might find yourself replaying the entire chapter just to grab what you skipped.
Don’t forget the scroll icons either—those mark side quests. These quests are only activated by visiting specific NPCs on the map, so skipping over them means missing out on powerful loot and valuable story content. Always take a moment to study your mini-map before you rush forward.
2. Upgrade as You Collect
The game showers you with different colored gems—yellow, violet, magic, and more—but they aren’t infinite in storage. Letting them pile up without spending them is a waste. The moment you pick up enough to unlock something, head to the upgrade menu.
Upgrading isn’t just about getting stronger—it’s about tailoring your Valkyrie to your preferred playstyle. Whether you lean into heavy damage, mobility, or spellcasting, investing early and often is crucial to making each battle smoother.
3. Break Everything for Gems
This might sound like a basic RPG tip, but in Valkyrie Elysium, smashing crates, benches, carts, and even seemingly random wooden debris yields a generous supply of gems. These aren’t junk—they’re the resources that fuel your upgrades.
Even if it means detouring a bit, destroy everything. These objects often reset, so returning to earlier areas for gem farming is a solid strategy when you’re preparing for a tough chapter or boss.
4. Look Up—Secrets Are in the Sky
Traversal in Valkyrie Elysium isn’t limited to the ground. Keep your eyes on the skies and the surrounding architecture. Blue grapple hook icons often indicate access to hidden paths or elevated platforms. These routes usually lead to hidden chests containing rare gems or gear.
Some of these spots are tucked away so cleverly that without actively looking up and around, you’ll miss them. Vertical exploration is rewarded, so treat each level like a puzzle waiting to be unraveled.
5. Lost? Use the Double Thumbstick Trick
If you ever lose your sense of direction (and you probably will), don’t panic. Clicking both thumbsticks (L3 + R3) on PlayStation triggers a guide in the form of a trail of butterflies. These guide you back to your objective without making you feel like you’re relying on a GPS.
It’s a small feature, but incredibly helpful when you’ve been sidetracked smashing boxes or climbing ledges for treasure and forget where you were headed.
6. Unlock Double Jump Early
Double jump is an absolute game-changer. Don’t wait—grab it as soon as possible from the skill tree. It dramatically expands your ability to explore hidden areas, reach floating enemies, and execute evasive or aggressive aerial maneuvers.
Many players focus solely on attack upgrades at first (understandably), but missing out on double jump means sacrificing a lot of mobility and missed exploration opportunities early in the game. You’ll thank yourself later for unlocking it early.
7. Don’t Overlook Weapon Runes
Some weapons allow you to equip rune effects—others don’t. It’s easy to miss this detail if you’re not comparing weapon stats closely. If you notice an empty space below your weapon’s name, it likely means it can house a rune.
Applying runes to your weapons enhances them significantly, giving added elemental effects or boosting stats. It’s a mechanic that’s subtly introduced but incredibly effective in giving your playstyle more punch. Always check your inventory to see which weapons support runes and equip them strategically.
8. Pay Attention to Enemy Element Icons
Yes, the tutorial covered it, but it’s easy to forget once you’re knee-deep in action. Every enemy has elemental icons above their heads, indicating their weakness. If you want faster kills and smoother progression, match your Divine Arts or weapon type accordingly.
Fire for fire, lightning for lightning, ice for ice—sticking to this system turns bullet sponge enemies into fragile targets. Ignoring it leads to long, punishing fights that waste your time and resources.
9. How to Earn S-Rank Clears
Want that S tier rating at the end of a chapter? Speed matters more than you think. The faster you clear a level, the better your score. Yes, exploration is tempting, but for rank purposes, time is your biggest asset.
You don’t need to kill every enemy. Skip optional mobs when you can, especially if they don’t block progression. If you miss an S rank, don’t sweat it—you can always replay chapters on easy mode to fly through them and grab that elusive high score.
10. Prioritize Attack in Your Early Skill Tree
Once you’ve unlocked double jump, your next focus should be the attack tree. Support skills are useful, but you won’t gain full access to your Einherjar (assist characters) until later in the game. Early on, raw offensive power will make the biggest difference.
Killing enemies faster means clearing levels faster and taking less damage. Defense is also worth investing in, but support can wait until the difficulty spikes. A strong offense early will make your journey significantly smoother.
Final Word
Valkyrie Elysium is rich with hidden systems and layers that reward attentive players. From learning how to use your map effectively, to mastering upgrades, elemental combat, and hidden exploration paths—being proactive pays off. With these ten tips in mind, your journey will be not only smoother but far more satisfying.
Missed a tip that helped you early on? Drop it in the comments and let the community grow stronger together. Happy hunting, and may the Valkyrie guide your blade!
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