RotT: THC - Secret Exits and Collectibles

Screenshot assisted guide for getting all the crucials in ND's 2023 campaign.

Foreword

The 2023 remaster of Rise of the Triad comes packed with a brand new, 24-level campaign titled The HUNT Continues, created by the Nightdive team. Taking its cue from the original's Dark War, THC is also divided into four episodes all of which culminates with a boss fight. Likewise, each episode has a secret level of its own and there are four collectibles along the way to El Oscuro: namely, the three Balls of Power and Scott's Mystical Head.

This guide offers: a) an overview of each episode, pointing to the secret exits and collectibles in case you want to search for them on your own; b) reference shots coupled with step by step instructions on how to locate each of them, in case you need help figuring out the 'mazeyness'.

So, without further ado... 'EAT LEAD!'

THC - E1: Denial

This episode contains a secret level and the first Ball of Power:

Area  Title                          Author                    Notes
E1A1  Fortress of the Darned        David Szymanski           -
E1A2  Close Quarters                Samuel Villarreal         -
E1A3  Out in the Open               Samuel Villarreal         -
E1A4  A Pane in the Glass           Matt Tropiano             Secret exit
E1A5  Tom's Halls                   Ethan Watson              Developer Ball
E1A6  Finally, Some Headroom!       Ethan Watson              Boss: General Darian
E1A7  Hangar                        Simon Rance               Secret level / D_E1M1.MUS

Details are as follows:

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E1A4: A PANE IN THE GLASS / SECRET EXIT

Go through the whole level but look for a pushwall to the left just before the exit and get inside.

Once you get the dog mode power-up, return to the area before the silver door and get over the fencing (the trick is to 'attack', then press the 'use' key at the topmost point). Touch the plate between the pillars to reveal the path to further goodies and the secret exit.

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E1A5: TOM'S HALLS / DEVELOPER BALL

With the gold key and a firebomb at hand, look for a switch hidden behind a pushwall next to the silver door, turn it on and take the elevator it reveals at the corner of the same room.

On the other side, pick up the key on offer and continue on to the elevator behind the gold door.

Right after the ride, firebomb yourself up to the switch on the catwalk across the elevator you stepped out of and turn it on.

Finally, return to western section, make another firebomb-jump to get the dog mode power-up resting on the catwalk and make your way to the Developer Ball on the other side.

THC - E2: Anger

This episode contains a secret level yet no collectibles:

Area  Title                          Author                    Notes
E2A1  The Caughtyard                Simon Rance               Secret exit
E2A2  Darkest War                   Ethan Watson              -
E2A3  Mist Opportunity              David Szymanski           -
E2A4  Ain't No Mountain             Leon Zawada               -
E2A5  Pineapple Salad               Ethan Watson              -
E2A6  Krist Will Be Missed          Matt Tropiano             Boss: Sebastian 'Doyle' Krist
E2A7  Leon's Scary Basement         Leon Zawada               Secret level

Details are as follows:

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E2A1: THE CAUGHTYARD / SECRET EXIT

Once you reach the GAD walkway, drop down to the path on the sky side, follow it westwards and turn on the switch found at the very end. Now that the gray-coloured wall from the top of the walkway is pushed aside, make your way back there and get into the area behind.

Make sure to utilize the train GADs in the hidden area to turn on the switch found on top of a catwalk before moving on.

Right after stepping out of the elevator, look for a touchplate behind it and activate it to reveal another hidden area full of life items for the jump-happy.

As before, make sure to turn on the switch found in this hidden area before leaving it behind.

In the final area full of ankhs, utilize one of the jump pads to turn on the now accessible switch to the right. Doing so pushes the wall aside that blocks the way to the secret exit.

THC - E3: Bargaining

This episode contains a secret level, the second Ball of Power and Scott's Mystical Head:

Area  Title                          Author                    Notes
E3A1  Mission: Void Warranty        Ethan Watson              Incredible Ball / secret exit
E3A2  Landfill                      Samuel Villarreal         -
E3A3  Flabbey Road                  Matt Tropiano             -
E3A4  Follow the HUNTer             Ethan Watson              Scott's Mystical Head / Boss: NME
E3A5  Mapevil                       David Szymanski           Secret level

Details are as follows:

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E3A1: MISSION: VOID WARRANTY / INCREDIBLE BALL & SECRET EXIT

First things first, even if you have a chance to do so, do not exit the level early. Carve your way through all four distinct zones, turn on all the switches and get the silver, gold and iron keys.

Turn on the switch tucked away at a corner around the regular exit. Doing so not only lights up the immediate area, but it also pushes aside the wall blocking the way to the next step.

After that, get back into the firewall corridor found in the zone to the northeast and turn on the now accessible switch to the right. This one is for the wall that blocks the way to the second ball.

Return to the zone to the southeast and jump onto the sole train GAD. Look for a pushwall to
the right as it hovers over the catwalk and turn on the switch found behind it. Drop down and pick up the Oscuro key revealed nearby.

As long as you are thorough with the exploration and switches, another area right across the Oscuro key should be accessible at this point. Go through all the four key doors within and turn on the switch found behind. Survive the robot guard onslaught and pick up the Incredible Ball.

Take the elevator nearby the ball to push aside the wall blocking the way to the secret exit.

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E3A4: FOLLOW THE HUNTER / SCOTT'S MYSTICAL HEAD

Go through the whole level and trigger NME to follow you to the pit of death. Before turning the switch on to its fiery demise, get into the room to the SE where a bunch of robot guards are patrolling around a healing basin. Pick up one of the firebombs hidden behind a pushwall within.

Return to the previous hall and firebomb yourself over the pillar from whence Triad enforcers are coming from. Follow the catwalk all the way to the end to reach a shrine of sorts with assorted goodies, courtesy of Scott Miller... Yet it seems, he is stuck in there.

FREE SCOTT! If you manage to pick him up, drop by the comments section and get due credit.

THC - E4: Depression

This episode contains a secret level and the third Ball of Power:

Area  Title                          Author                    Notes
E4A1  Staff Meeting                 Matt Tropiano             Secret exit
E4A2  Dial 'M' for Monk             Samuel Villarreal         -
E4A3  Casual Sunday Barbecue        Ethan Watson              Power Ball
E4A4  Requiem for A Team            Leon Zawada               Boss: El Oscuro
E4A5  If It Bleeds, Kill It         Dave Oshry                Secret level / 'one ugly mofo'

Details are as follows:

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E4A1: STAFF MEETING / SECRET EXIT

Shortly into the level, you get over some fencing via the adjacent jump pads and land near a firewall that guards a dark staff. Push the wall behind this staff and turn on the switch within.

With the switch in question turned on, the Oscuro key is within your reach in an alcove to the left immediately after going through the gold door. Pick it up and return to its designated door.

Clear out the monks behind the Oscuro door and turn on the switch found within the area.

Once you reach the final hall, the path that leads to the secret exit should be accessible.

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E4A3: CASUAL SUNDAY BARBECUE / POWER BALL

Reaching this ball needs a very specific way of tackling things, so be mindful of your steps.

From the starting point, instead of going through the feasible door to your right, you should brave the first barrage of fireballs and get into the door on the other side. This step is crucial as an unavoidable touchplate on the other path also locks you out of a picking up a certain key further along the way.

Going through the following area, be sure not to push the pictured wall to avoid another lock. Take the only path available, then activate the train GADs and reach the northern area.

Once you reach the beige-bricked area after travelling through northern path, find the hidden switch behind a series of pushwalls as pictured above and turn it on. Mind that it is possible to botch this one up, so take care.

Move through the now accessible door and turn on the switch that comes right after. Doing so connects you back to the central area and grants access to the jump pads in the vicinity.

Utilize the jump pads in question to get on top of the train GADs and drop down onto the catwalk signified by a life item on top. Push the wall behind it and another one right after that to reach a hidden switch. Turning this one on pushes the wall aside that blocks the GAD stairs leading to the dog mode power-up near the jump pads.

Get the dog mode power-up, make haste through the trap-ridden side area and get out from the other side. The plate you touch on your way out reveals the path to the gold key.

Go through the stone-walled corridor nearby and pick up the gold key on offer. Compared to reaching this well-hidden key, figuring out the rest is pretty straightforward.

Open up the gold door found next to the iron one and turn on the switch within. As well as pushing the wall aside that blocks way to the room on the other side, the switch also makes the nearby god mode power-up accessible. So get it, make your way into the newly revealed room and turn on yet another switch to get rid of another blocker further down the way.

Go through the rest of the level and get the other pillar for blocking the second barrage of fireballs moving. With that last switch turned on, it is now possible to reach the hidden one at the center of the final area via a series of pushwalls. Turn it on to activate the train GADs in the vicinity.

Get on top of the train GADs and look for a way into the side area that can be seen on the map to the NE. Drop down, clear out the gang and pick up the Oscuro key. With the key at hand, it is possible get into the treasury of life items and pick up the Power Ball before exiting the level.

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'It seems his fate is to repeat the worst day of his life, over and over again... FOREVER!'

[Bkz52]

Anyone figured out how to get Scott's Head in E3A4 yet? Tried using the Firewall, with no success. Or maybe it's strictly decorative

[Zenon]

Thanks, you're a legend

[erc]

Zenon, a Drunk Missile also does the trick for those two jumps in steps 3 and 4 (and for jumps of similar kind), albeit you may need to aim down in the process.

[Zenon]

How do you even get the Firebomb in Tom's Halls?

[CrixMadine]

Great job, very helpful!

[erc]

Thanks! The guide for The HUNT Begins / Dark War is also up!

[biodegradable]

Nice work, thank you! Is there by chance a guide like this for the OG game?