One Step From Eden is a creative indie game where you duke it out across randomly generated stages. Each stage takes place on a grid, similar to that of a tactical or strategy game. However, this game places out in real-time with you casting spells, swapping cards, and leveling up along the way. It can actually be an overwhelming experience when first starting out.
Indie games are generally known for bringing a high level of ingenuity to the table and One Step From Eden is no different. This is a deep, robust, and comprehensive game that will keep you coming back for one more run, but don't expect to defeat the enemies easily. The following tips should help you when first starting out in the game.
7 Do Not Skip The Tutorials
One Step from Eden gives you the opportunity to skip through each of the basic tutorials, however, this would be a major disservice to you since the gameplay here is truly unlike most other indie games. The majority of your time is spent battling on real-time grids
Each tutorial is simple and gives you the necessary tools to win your first few stages. There is a lot to keep up with in this game from spell management, grid movement, enemy types, and so much more. Be sure to go through each tutorial to give yourself a good chance from the start.
6. Prepare Your Deck Before Moving On
The spells in this game are all based on decks you utilize in every run, or seed as it's known in this game. Each new run is randomly generated so you will want to be as up-to-date on your deck as possible. Did you know you can actually prepare your spell deck prior to moving on to the next room?
After clearing a room, you can simply press the menu button to open up your deck screen. From there you can upgrade spells, remove the ones you don't use, and rearrange them to ensure you are ready.
5. Choose Your Path
During your new seed run, you can actually choose which path you want to take with the game offering multiple routes. Fortunately, each route has markers to show what the upcoming rooms will be sure. There is a handy legend to show the meanings for the various icons such as shops, treasure, battles, and bosses.
There really isn't a wrong path to take. You will want to be strategic with your path because you need to balance your spells, your HP, and your overall inventory. Plus the bosses at the end of each zone are certainly no pushover so preparation is of vital importance.
4. Pay Attention To Your Placement
Easily the most unique gameplay concept in One Step From Eden is the real-time grid-based combat. On the surface, this game might just look like another turn-based tactical RPG, however, it's much different. You actually control your chosen character in real-time and you can fire off spells at any time, so long as you have the mana.
The key thing to remember when battling is placement. You can move across many of the grid squares, aside from the enemy squares. You do have a grid icon that shows where your spells will land so it's important to ensure that it's lined up with the enemy for offensive attacks.
3. Leveling Gains You Artifacts
One Step From Eden features two different experience and leveling systems. The first leveling system is the temporary one that only works for the course of your current run. Each time you level up this meter you are given the choice of a new artifact. These artifacts come in many varieties from buffs, debuffs, offensive, and defensive abilities.
You also have a permanent leveling system for your account that ties to unlock more characters and the like, as well as your overall progression. Given the roguelike nature of the game, it's great to see varied forms of progression here.
2. Shuffle Your Spells Anytime
During your time playing, you will very quickly collect many varieties of spells. Did you know you can actually shuffle your spells at any time? Due to each spell having a cooldown, as well as a set mana cost, it's in your best interest to continuously shuffle your spells at the press of a button.
It takes some time to get to grips with each spell so you don't want to just stay stagnant with two or three of them, especially because only two can be equipped at any given time. Experiment with different varieties by shuffling through them during a battle.
1. You Probably Won't Win Your First Boss Fight
Boss fights in roguelikes are meant to be punishing. In One Step From Eden, the very first time you come across a boss room, you likely won't succeed, and that's okay. These types of games challenge you to retry over and over again in order to get stronger, learn your skills, and become more adept at the systems as play.
By losing the first boss fight you are actually giving yourself an advantage for future runs. You will now be armed with the knowledge of their movement and attacks, but you also leveled up a bit to become more battle-hardened. Just make sure to keep on pressing on, despite the difficulty.