Overview:
-Estimated achievement difficulty: 4/10
-Offline: 20/20
-Online: 0/20
-Approximate amount of time to 200: 40+ hours
-Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 2 full playthroughs and 48 bonus levels
-Number of missable achievements: 3 (Eagle Eye, Carte Blanche and Strategist)
-Do cheat codes disable achievements? No. The untimed Relaxed mode allows achievements
-Does difficulty affect achievements? N/A
-Glitchy achievements: Strive for More (See achievement list)
-Unobtainable achievements: None
-Extra equipment needed?: Windows 8 Operating System
Introduction:
Welcome to the 4 Elements II: Special Edition Road Map / Achievement Guide. This game is a 3 tile matching puzzle game from Playrix Entertainment that was part of the first wave of Windows 8 games with achievements. The player is needed to free the four elemental fairies and restore the elemental book of spells though a series of puzzles to clear the way for the flow of magic. People familiar with the gameplay of the Bejeweled puzzle game style should expect a pleasant twist to the same. This roadmap will identify they types of achievements in this game and how to best attack them to complete the achievement list.
Abbreviated Walkthrough:
Game play completion is broken down to two story mode playthroughs with an additional 48 bonus levels to play after the story is completed. Carte Blanche and Strategist require the player to play a particular way and should be taken into consideration on the first playthrough.
No achievements can be unlocked on the first puzzle stage.
Also, due to the nature of some of the achievements, it is recommended to use the second and third levels of the game to unlock them before advancing. Attempt to unlock the chain style achievements BEFORE the completion of level 2 to unlock them immediately, and then restart the level. Then use complete level 2 using only chains 5 links or longer. If not possible, restart until successful to unlock “Strategist.” Then complete level 3 using only chains 3 links long to unlock, “The Less, The Better.” With miscellaneous out of the way, the player can now focus on “Eagle Eye” and “Carte Blanche.” Once story mode is complete the first time, repeat one more time and then tackle all bonus levels to complete the achievement list.
Using and abusing the gameplay elements:
Relaxed Mode - When a player loses several times, the game mentions that they can turn off the timer to play, “Relaxed Mode.” However in Windows 8, the options screen is literally hidden away and can only be accessed by either swiping in from the right side of tablets, or by moving the mouse cursor to the lower right corner of the screen on desktops. Turning on “Relaxed Mode” from the options turns off the timer in the story mode, making the game much easier to complete. However, the mode DOES NOT APPLY to the bonus levels, and will have to be completed as normal.
No More Moves Shuffle – During gameplay, when there are no available movements to connect three colored chips, the game will instantly shuffle all chips on screen to rectify the issue. This is the gameplay element that the player must utilize to ensure that the requirements for the Carte Blanche achievement can be met. Even if the game is recommending that a particular power be used, a player can still force the game to shuffle the chips if there are no moves remaining on screen. Reference the achievement list for further instructions.
Chain-Style Achievements:
Five achievements require either chain lengths or chain creation speeds. “Strive for More” and “Glorious Journey” achievements stack when a 20 link chain is created, but the game may not properly identify that both achievements have been unlocked. To fix this issue, quit the game and then restart the computer. When the game is restarted, both achievements should show as properly unlocked. “Speed of Light” and “Each Second Matters” can be done while meeting the requirements for, “The less, the better” achievement on the second or third stage. “Strategist” should be attempted on the second puzzle stage. Any of these achievements can be earned during the second story playthrough as well.
Cumulative achievements:
All cumulative achievements do not require special grinding in order to achieve. Provided that the player is aware that there is an achievement for using the Spade 150 times, Magic Fire 140 times and are using both powers whenever possible will ensure that the four achievements associated to those powers will pop before the end of the first story playthrough. The requirements for breaking stones and ice will definitely be met through by the end of the second story playthrough. If you absolutely must grind them right away, levels 42 and 45 would be the most ideal since all that is required is repeatedly restarting the level.
Completion achievements:
“Eternal Glory” and “Once Again” are awarded for the first and second complete playthroughs of the story mode. The requirements for “Eagle Eye” and “Carte Blanche” must be done within the two story playthroughs otherwise an additional third run will be required. After all story mode achievements are done; only the 48 Bonus Levels remain to be finished to unlock the “Not Done Yet” achievement.
Conclusion:
This game is not fast in terms of achievements, and is best played with the intentions of enjoyment. Taken in bits and pieces, this game is very fun, especially with relaxed mode on, but is not a game to be taken lightly when a completion is desired.
[x360a would like to thank Ryot Control for this road map]