Order of the Sinking Star: Directions, Mechanics and Exploring the 4 Worlds

Find the 4 worlds' rules by direction

From the central Overworld, travel in 4 directions to learn different rules. The Japanese labels in the original guide are explanatory, not a complete official Japanese glossary of locations and characters.

Understand one rule before branching out; no fixed route required

If a difficult puzzle stops you, you can backtrack and explore another region. This guide sets no fixed correct order, such as completing the north first.

In a region with actions you understand, first identify what can and cannot move. This helps distinguish unfamiliar controls from routing problems. The following steps are editorial suggestions for organizing exploration, not solutions.

1. Note your current direction and world name.
2. Test one action at a time, checking its target, destination and area of influence.
3. When stuck, distinguish an unclear action, unclear arrangement and unclear next destination.
4. Before leaving for another region, record the unresolved board and actions tried.
5. When you find a new ability or world connection, reconsider whether it works on earlier boards.

Eastern mirrors: work backward from the position after swapping

Mirrors are mechanisms for swapping characters or objects with their reflections, rather than merely viewing them. Consider whether the swap reaches a foothold, as well as your current position.

Changing distance from a mirror changes the reflection's useful position. Check reflections from farther away as well as moving immediately beside the mirror.

1. First identify the island or foothold you want to reach.
2. Check where the character must stand to place the reflection there.
3. Determine whether this situation calls for swapping a character or an object.
4. Check whether the destination allows your next action.

Per-puzzle swap counts and exact solution coordinates are not included.

West and south: organize simultaneous states and travel routes

In the west, light colors and simultaneously active beams matter. Track the light state producing an outcome, rather than only noticing that you can pass through a wall, break a rock or teleport far away.

In the south, stone landing points and the routes of moving lily pads require separate decisions. After changing a waterway, also recheck whether previously valid routes remain.