Is there a point in releasing spirits early?

[Wintermute]

I've reached the point where I can release Gwen through the door. I understand that it's required for ending and stuff, but is there any actual benefit this early in the game? She doesn't eat that much. What do I get from releasing spirits, and, more importantly, what can I miss if I release somebody too early?

[rmsgrey]

If you haven't already, you will soon reach a point where you can't advance any spirit's quests, nor build any new buildings nor upgrades because you require materials and/or locations that are only available behind the ice barrier. You can pass that barrier by upgrading your ship with an ice-breaker, but that requires a spirit flower, which you can only get by taking a spirit to the Everdoor. If you look at what else Albert has to offer, you'll see that there are other upgrades that also require spirit flowers, which will require you to release more spirits.

The main things you can potentially miss out on by releasing a spirit are conversations with them that reveal more of their history, and possible interactions with specific other spirits. For Gwen specifically, I don't remember any particular interactions, but it's possible I'm forgetting something.

You can have up to five spirits aboard when you take Gwen to the Everdoor if you're looking for an excuse to delay releasing her.

In general, the game does expect you to release spirits more or less as you reach that point in their stories, rather than trying to keep them forever.

[Logan]

As person above said, especially early in game you have to release some spirits to get spirit flowers required for upgrades, to unlock next areas on the map.

Most conversations takes place after a quest completion/progress so there are almost none that take place during the moment where you have to release a spirit.

[linnie <3]

well. I screwed up, cause I'm on my last quest now and stil haven't unlocked two characters. It stinks. Keep them as long as you can is my advice lol

[Logan]

Originally posted by linnie <3:

well. I screwed up, cause I'm on my last quest now and stil haven't unlocked two characters. It stinks. Keep them as long as you can is my advice lol

That's not possible. Spirits are not tied up to one another besides Astrid and Gio, you simply didn't explore enough to find them. Check the map on a ship, slide on locations and wait for few seconds so it can show all items in the area including spirits, you probably missed a spirit or didn't discover a location with one, if you want you can drop names for all spirits you had and I will tell you who you miss out on.

[rmsgrey]

Originally posted by Logan:

Originally posted by linnie <3:

well. I screwed up, cause I'm on my last quest now and stil haven't unlocked two characters. It stinks. Keep them as long as you can is my advice lol

That's not possible. Spirits are not tied up to one another besides Astrid and Gio, you simply didn't explore enough to find them. Check the map on a ship, slide on locations and wait for few seconds so it can show all items in the area including spirits, you probably missed a spirit or didn't discover a location with one, if you want you can drop names for all spirits you had and I will tell you who you miss out on. :slimetabby:

Jackie and Darla are also intertwined, but it's hard to miss their quests entirely.

[Logan]

Originally posted by rmsgrey:

Originally posted by Logan:

That's not possible. Spirits are not tied up to one another besides Astrid and Gio, you simply didn't explore enough to find them. Check the map on a ship, slide on locations and wait for few seconds so it can show all items in the area including spirits, you probably missed a spirit or didn't discover a location with one, if you want you can drop names for all spirits you had and I will tell you who you miss out on.

Jackie and Darla are also intertwined, but it's hard to miss their quests entirely.

Right, because they count that as shenaningans first (As it's a side task of "visiting that hospital area" and not as spirit request)