Is there any kind of guide for how to actually progress in this game?
I've played on and off on the free version for years since it first launched and was just a small sandbox, and although I DLed updated versions a couple times I never actually got anywhere in the game or followed development/the community at all.
Lo and behold I check the (seemingly abandoned) wiki and the scene guide from OP and it talks about shit I've never even seen. There are quests and companions in this game? There are more than the two basic towns with nothing to do in them? Wild.
I just got to the Black Knight, saw that she whooped my ass, and decided the last thing I wanted to do in this game was grind to try and WIN a fight of all things, I mean that's hardly what I'm playing this game for...never even tried to win that fight. Nor found any other direction to progress. Is it just all locked that way?
In Story Mode: The Dark Knight is the zone boss of the Ironia zone (the only zone currently in-game for this WIP Mode). To defeat her is a matter of game-experience and having the right skillset + resources to stack damage on her.
In Adventure Mode: You can entirely ignore the Dark Knight since most seeds have her cornered into a section of the Mossy Expanse. There's TONS of content and places to explore in Adventure Mode (Mossy Expanse, Waking Lands, Demon King's Realm and the Goddess Valley) as well as quests to complete (Isla's Codpiece, Kylira's Cleansing Ritual, Alma's Town Portal Training, Cindy's Errands & the Zone Bosses of Ironia & DKR)
All battles can be won, except against the Giantess, plus the Zone Boss of Ironia can be defeated at Level 1 (there's an achievement for it)
Grinding only helps you gain more Skills & Perks, it doesn't outright make the game easier except getting you upgraded skills. You still need to learn game-knowledge about the Combat and Mechanics. I'd suggest practicing the combat in Ironia zone and then moving onto the Mossy Expanse once you've played enough to comfortably defeat Ogres, Dullahan and the Drow.
That's my advice, hope it helps, there's also a much better updated
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