To unlock all maps, is it enough to simply beat the other ones, without runes?

[toastkid.williams]

I'm working my way through this excellent sequel, currently i'm at level 125. I'm confused by the map-unlocking mechanic though. I get that when you complete an Ethereal map, it disappears, and that (sometimes) beating one map will unlock a new map next to it. Questions:

1) To unlock a map, is it as simple as just finishing the map next to it on any XP multiplier? Eg, finishing the map without any runes?

2) are uncompleted maps always a different colour, ie not red?

3) What are the rules for how many axes appear on a completed level? Is it a set xp multiplier that you need to beat for each "axe level"?

4) What is the yellow border on completed maps? At first I thought you got it by completing all the bonus objectives but I have some with a yellow border where i've completed 1 out of 2 bonus objectives for example.

Sorry if this is all explained somewhere! I couldn't find it. The in-game explanation's pretty lacking. thanks

[omega]

I'm afraid I can only answer some of your questions:

Originally posted by toastkid.williams:

1) To unlock a map, is it as simple as just finishing the map next to it on any XP multiplier? Eg, finishing the map without any runes?

The XP multiplier is completely optional for map unlocking. A map will always be unlocked as long as there is an finished map next to it (except the first map). There are some maps that are not placed adjacent to normal map tiles, you can only unlock these after spawning and finishing an etheral map next to them. Because all etheral maps despawn after you finished them, a newly discovered standart map may be hidden again after you restart the game, finish it once to unlock it permanently, or be ready to wait for a new etheral map to spawn next to it again.

Originally posted by toastkid.williams:

2) are uncompleted maps always a different colour, ie not red?

I can't answer this 100%ly because my game doesn't have red maps at the moment, but map color doesn't matter as far as I know.

Originally posted by toastkid.williams:

3) What are the rules for how many axes appear on a completed level? Is it a set xp multiplier that you need to beat for each "axe level"?

Apparently, but I don't know the exact numbers (at least greater than 2x).

Originally posted by toastkid.williams:

4) What is the yellow border on completed maps? At first I thought you got it by completing all the bonus objectives but I have some with a yellow border where i've completed 1 out of 2 bonus objectives for example.

How much exp did you earn on the map with the yellow border compared to the others? Thats the only reason I can think of atm.

[toastkid.williams]

Thanks - I have discovered that the number of axes is related to the number of runes used on the map. To get all the axes you need to beat it with 9 (or maybe 8, not sure) runes.

I actually finished the game last night, and was given the chance to ascend. I haven't taken it yet as I want to complete all of the bonus objectives, to get more bonuses that will carry through to the next playthrough.

The yellow border is still a mystery. I have two maps next to each other for example:

"Keep": xp record is 954k, two objectives both complete, not beaten with any runes, no yellow border.

"Rooms": xp record is 867k, two objectives, only 1 complete, not beaten with any runes, does have a yellow border.

I can't see any logic there.