When is the actual soft point of no return to the initial village areas?

[McJaylyn]

I've read numerous instances of people all stating that the point of no return to the initial village areas is either after entering the church or after rescuing Ashley. However, upon returning to the church from the lake area, even without entering it, the gate in front of the church that leads through the graveyard and back to the village is closed and I am unable to open it.

When does this gate become locked? What is the actual criteria for not being able to return to the first half of this zone?

[veryepic]

the merchant tells you when

[HeeRoTH]

you can return to the village in chapter 3 and met ashley in chapter 5

[teeb_thoj]

There are various points of no return for certain areas throughout the village but the big one is the cabin fight. After that it is a linear path to the castle.

[McJaylyn]

Originally posted by veryepic:

the merchant tells you when

The merchant's first hint that I heard was when I was in the lake cave by the shooting gallery after acquiring the key to the church. I immediately went back through the quarry, finished the big guy there, and went straight to the front of the church and the gait was locked. Can I get through the gate after rescuing Ashley and then go back to the first village? I thought this would be the case because in that village there's at least one spot where it shows you need a second person to boost up to get into one of the buildings, but all the comments about not being able to go back there after rescuing her make this seem confusing.

Originally posted by HeeRoTH:

you can return to the village in chapter 3 and met ashley in chapter 5

So are you meaning to imply that you can go back to the first village anytime during chapter 3 but not during chapter 4?

[McJaylyn]

Originally posted by teeb_thoj:

There are various points of no return for certain areas throughout the village but the big one is the cabin fight. After that it is a linear path to the castle.

I don't recall if I have had any major cabin fight. Is that before you go through the lake and get the church key?

[Dr. Atrocious]

The first point of no return is after entering the Village Chief's house and triggering the cutscene which then cuts you off from the previous area. The merchant doesn't tell you about this one. The second point of no return is after retrieving Ashley from the church which then cuts you off from the lake. After rescuing Ashley, you can then return to the main village area. The final point that cuts you off from the rest of the village entirely is crossing the bridge and beginning the cabin fight.

[veryepic]

Originally posted by McJaylyn:

Originally posted by veryepic:

the merchant tells you when

The merchant's first hint that I heard was when I was in the lake cave by the shooting gallery after acquiring the key to the church. I immediately went back through the quarry, finished the big guy there, and went straight to the front of the church and the gait was locked. Can I get through the gate after rescuing Ashley and then go back to the first village? I thought this would be the case because in that village there's at least one spot where it shows you need a second person to boost up to get into one of the buildings, but all the comments about not being able to go back there after rescuing her make this seem confusing.

you cant go back through the gate but you are about to go back to the village with ashley after that you will go to the farm do not go across the bridge past the farm until you done everything you want to do where you are at because after that you cannot go back

[McJaylyn]

Originally posted by Dr. Atrocious:

The first point of no return is after entering the Village Chief's house and triggering the cutscene which then cuts you off from the previous area. The merchant doesn't tell you about this one. The second point of no return is after retrieving Ashley from the church which then cuts you off from the lake. After rescuing Ashley, you can then return to the main village area. The final point that cuts you off from the rest of the village entirely is crossing the bridge and beginning the cabin fight.

Originally posted by veryepic:

you cant go back through the gate but you are about to go back to the village with ashley after that you will go to the farm do not go across the bridge past the farm until you done everything you want to do where you are at because after that you cannot go back

I think I understand now. Thanks for helping clear up this confusion. I don't like to go to guides for questions like this because they often have too many spoilers for a good first playthrough.

[Icecreammouth]

The church gates leading to the graveyard was just temporarily closed since the game is forcing you to take Ashley before proceeding any further. Unlike in the original game where you could actually run past the church and kill everyone in the Village Square & the Farm before returning and taking Ashley with you.

[kzzyrbqez]

Don't forget to open those chests with Small Keys before you leave the lake.