Every map contains hidden time bonus pickups and strategically placed item boxes. Memorizing their locations is crucial for extending your mission time and ensuring you have the resources you need.
- Time Bonus Icons: These small hourglass icons are often tucked away in corners, behind obstacles, or on elevated platforms. Always be on the lookout for them, especially if your timer is running low. Each one adds a few precious seconds.
- Destructible Objects: Many wooden crates, barrels, and even some pottery can be destroyed to reveal hidden ammo, grenades, or even a rare First Aid Spray. Make it a habit to shoot or melee these objects as you pass by.
- Weapon/Item Boxes: Some missions feature specific boxes that contain powerful weapons (e.g., a Magnum or Grenade Launcher) or a large cache of grenades. These are often placed strategically before a mini-boss encounter or in areas with heavy enemy spawns.
- Map Exploration: Don't just stick to the main path. Explore every nook and cranny of the map. Often, the less-traveled paths contain valuable pickups that can make the difference between an A-rank and an S-rank.
Over time, you'll naturally learn the optimal routes that incorporate these pickups. For new maps, take a few runs just to explore and identify all the hidden resources.