The 4 Keys

A guide to deciphering the hints and the locations of the 4 keys, part of a larger side quest.

Intro

Before beginning this quest, it's handy to already have the alien language translated. In case you aren't familiar, there are a number of quests, secrets, and puzzles throughout the game that utilize an alien languge to complete or solve them. Your first encounter of the language may have already been with this alien:

We'll come back to what it says later.

Obviously the game was made with the intention that the player would discover the alien language and translate it on their own, but this guide will expedite that process in case you don't know where to start. The parts of the quest that involve hints and translations do not activate any sort of in-game events, but I go over them anyway if you're like me and want to experience as much as possible in chronological order. You can skip directly to the location of each key without comprehending the language if you like.

The keys are non-sequential, so you can collect them in any order. I collected the first key last because it is obtained after defeating a boss.

Also, I refer to various coordinates throughout the guide. If you've ever noticed two sets of numbers in the upper left corner of the map screen, those are coordinates of your current location on the X and Y axes. Numbers ascend from 0 as you move right and down. I provide a number of screenshots with the map itself, but there are coordinates I describe in the guide without reference as well, so keep these coordinates in mind.

Learn Their Language Well

Head to 18-01 on your map.
You'll find an eagle sitting above. He'll say "Learn their language well" before speaking alien. If you have a good eye, you'll notice the alien text translates to "Learn their language well."

From this, you have a key to reference some of the letters to get started. As you see more words, you'll be able to figure out through context what some of the other letters are in the alphabet.

I have translations of each alien provided within the guide. If you want an alphabet to reference, there is a guide with an image of the full alphabet that I referenced myself when attempting this quest the first time: Eyeball Lizard's Guide

Key 1

The beginning of this side quest starts with the end of another. If you haven't activated the 4 Pillars, I recommend doing so first. There are other guides here on Steam that explain the 4 Pillars. Upon defeating a certain boss, you will be placed in a room containing the first key.

Key 2

The first alien is located at 16-00.

Translation:
the location of the second key

the three blue circles floating
over safety left from a fiery
challenge

head quickly right past the
visible doorway

phase through the air

To translate the translation, this is describing room 19-13. Moving left to right, Dash Boost from this room to the next and you will enter a hidden room you couldn't get to by normally walking (sometimes the game glitches and doesn't let you into the right room. Try again, and try restarting the game if it persists). This room is full of enemies, so I recommend traversing through the room as quickly as possible and avoid a fight. You'll enter a room with a face crying bloody tears, and the key sitting above.

Key 3

Head to 08-11 to speak with the four-eyed alien.

Translation:
the location of the third key

a small piece of higher ground
right from a large body of water

left of a yellow ruined
corridor

wait on top of the higher ground
to get through

Head to 15-09. You'll recognize this room from the beginning of the game. Look for the ledge near a wall, and simply stand still for a few seconds. The wall will collapse to reveal another hidden room. Navigate the room and jump down below for the key.

Key 4

The fourth and final hint comes from another alien in the jungle region. You can find him at 11-00.

Translation:
the location of the fourth key

a long dark corridor housing
three shy monsters

climb the second lit pillar

Head to the temple at 23-02. Clear the room, and stand right where the column is closest to the save room. Straight above you is a breakable block and a hidden room beyond it. Clear this room of all spiders and the key will be revealed.

Teleporter

Once all 4 keys have been collected, find the teleporter at 28-01. You'll notice a wall blocking the path. Across from the teleporter, along the ceiling at 31-01 is a switch to break down the wall. Head through the teleporter and walk forward to clear the path. Beyond this room begins another quest, and so ends the quest for The 4 Keys.

[Faulted Nova]

jesus