SIGNALIS is a meticulously designed survival horror experience that brings a fresh perspective to the genre while maintaining the tension and resource management that define classic horror titles. This guide explores crucial gameplay mechanics, offering strategies that will help you survive the dangers lurking in the depths of its world. Whether you’re a seasoned survival horror veteran or new to the genre, these tips will help you navigate the game’s many challenges efficiently.

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The Importance of Manual Saving

Unlike many modern games, SIGNALIS does not feature auto-saves. If you fail to manually save and die, you’ll lose all progress since your last save. The game even warns you that choosing to continue without saving is a decision you’ll regret. Given this, making frequent manual saves is essential.

On Normal difficulty, it is possible to complete a run with zero deaths, but for those seeking a greater challenge, Survival difficulty offers a level of threat that demands precise resource management and defensive strategies.

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Enemy Contact and Positioning Strategy

Enemies in SIGNALIS deal contact damage, meaning that merely touching them—whether they are attacking or not—will hurt you. Unlike in some survival horror games where you can push past enemies without consequence, here, their entire bodies act as constant hitboxes. To avoid unnecessary damage, kiting enemies by keeping them at a distance is crucial, particularly in narrow hallways where movement is restricted.

If you’re trapped in a confined space and cannot maneuver effectively, using aggressive items or firearms may be the only option to clear a path. Always evaluate whether a fight is necessary or if evasion is a better alternative.

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Time Management: When Does It Pause?

Navigating through menus such as the Map, Inventory, or Memory Logs will freeze time, allowing you to plan your next move without pressure. However, there is a key exception—time does not pause when you’re picking up items.

This means that enemies can attack you while you are interacting with an item prompt. If you’re in a dangerous area and need to grab something, ensure that enemies are cleared first to avoid taking unnecessary damage.

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Gunplay and Enemy Engagement

SIGNALIS’s combat mechanics include unique quirks that set it apart from traditional survival horror titles:

• If an enemy is too close when you fire, Elster will shove them instead of shooting. This can be used to your advantage, especially with high-damage weapons like the Shotgun, which can be fired immediately after the shove for a devastating close-range hit.
• Holding the aim button on an enemy causes your reticle to shrink, indicating a Focus-Shot. A smaller reticle means increased damage, so pacing your shots rather than spamming bullets is the key to efficient combat.
• Stealth plays a significant role—undetected enemies take increased damage from attacks. When possible, avoid detection entirely to save ammunition and health.

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When to Fight and When to Flee

Killing every enemy is unnecessary, especially since they do not follow you between rooms. However, enemies stationed in central corridors or frequently visited rooms should be eliminated to reduce long-term risk.

• Killing an enemy is a two-step process: First, shoot them until they collapse. Then, stomp on them using the Interact button. However, even stomped enemies will eventually rise again.
• To permanently dispose of a downed enemy, burn their corpse using Thermite Sticks, which the game introduces early on. Incinerated enemies will never revive, making them ideal for securing high-traffic areas.
• Thermite has a second, lesser-known use—if equipped in your Tool Slot, you can stab an active enemy with it at close range, setting them on fire instantly. This is a powerful defensive option when cornered.

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Using Stun Prods Effectively

Stun Prods are another defensive tool that can be used aggressively. A single Stun Prod will knock most enemies to the ground, allowing for a free stomp.

• The shock effect can also arc to nearby enemies, making it particularly effective in rooms with multiple foes.
• However, its reliability varies—enemies need to be closely grouped for the electricity to chain between them.

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Inventory Management: Surviving with Only 6 Slots

SIGNALIS enforces a strict 6-slot inventory limit, requiring careful planning. Here are some strategies to optimize your item loadout:

• Don’t carry excessive ammo: On Normal difficulty, a fully-loaded Pistol (10 rounds) is often enough to take down two enemies before needing to restock.
• Healing items aren’t always necessary: Since enemies don’t chase you between rooms, you can often return to a Save Room and heal from storage rather than wasting a slot on a Medkit.
• Prioritize key items and puzzle solutions over excessive weaponry to avoid excessive backtracking.

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Puzzle-Solving and Clues

SIGNALIS includes numerous lore notes, many of which contain hints to solving puzzles. If you find yourself stuck:

• Check your Memory Logs—a past note may contain the clue you need.
• The game’s puzzles can be challenging, embracing an old-school survival horror design. It’s entirely acceptable to look up solutions if necessary—don’t let frustration ruin your experience.
• Some puzzles are complex enough that missing a small detail can halt progress. Revisiting areas and re-reading notes can often clarify what you need to do next.

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Final Thoughts

SIGNALIS stands out as one of the most well-crafted survival horror experiences in recent years. By understanding its unique mechanics—such as manual saving, kiting enemies, managing resources efficiently, and using tools strategically—you can maximize your survival chances and fully immerse yourself in its atmospheric world.

Whether you’re diving in for the first time or looking to refine your gameplay, these tips will help you navigate the haunting corridors of SIGNALIS with confidence. Good luck, and may your journey through its horrors be both thrilling and rewarding!