Backtracking & Unlocking New Areas

Salt and Sanctuary is a masterclass in interconnected level design, rewarding exploration and often requiring you to revisit previously explored zones with new abilities. This section details key backtracking opportunities and how to unlock areas that were previously inaccessible.

The Vertigo Obelisk: Your First Major Unlock

The Vertigo Obelisk is the first major movement upgrade you'll acquire, allowing you to perform a powerful vertical leap. This ability is crucial for reaching many hidden paths and shortcuts.

Location: You obtain the Vertigo Obelisk after defeating the Kraeken Cyclops in the Kraeken's Perch.
How to Use: Simply press the jump button while in mid-air to perform a second, higher jump. This is essential for traversing gaps and reaching ledges that were previously out of reach.
Key Backtracking Opportunities:
- Fungal Forest: Return to the Fungal Forest. There are several high ledges and platforms, particularly near the entrance from the Shivering Shore, that can now be accessed for hidden items and alternative routes. Look for a path leading upwards near the first Sanctuary.
- Village of Smiles: Head back to the Village of Smiles. The Vertigo Obelisk allows you to reach a high platform above the main village area, leading to a shortcut back to the Shivering Shore and a few tucked-away treasure chests.
- Bandit's Pass: There are some elevated sections in Bandit's Pass, especially around the area where you first encountered the Disemboweled Husk, that can now be navigated to find overlooked Salt piles and crafting materials.

The Shadowflip Brand: Mastering Wall Jumps

The Shadowflip Brand is your next essential movement tool, granting you the ability to wall jump. This opens up a vast number of vertical pathways and secret rooms.

Location: The Shadowflip Brand is acquired after defeating the Mad Alchemist in the Watching Woods.
How to Use: Jump towards a wall and then press the jump button again to push off it, gaining height. You can chain these jumps between two close walls to ascend quickly.
Key Backtracking Opportunities:
- The Festering Banquet: This early-game area holds many secrets accessible only with the Shadowflip Brand. Look for narrow vertical shafts, particularly near the Sanctuary and the boss arena of The Festering Banquet. These often lead to hidden rooms with valuable items like Stone Guide or Shimmering Pearl.
- Castle of Storms: The Castle of Storms, especially the exterior walls and crumbling towers, has numerous sections designed for wall jumping. Explore thoroughly to find shortcuts and bypass tougher enemy encounters. A notable spot is near the entrance from the Red Hall of Cages, where you can wall jump up a collapsed section.
- Hager's Cavern: Within Hager's Cavern, there are several vertical passages that were previously impassable. The Shadowflip Brand will allow you to navigate these, often leading to rare crafting materials or even alternative routes to other areas. Pay close attention to the areas around the Mire of Stench.

The Hardlight Brand: Walking on Air

The Hardlight Brand is a game-changer, allowing you to create temporary platforms of light. This ability is crucial for traversing large gaps and reaching seemingly impossible locations.

Location: You obtain the Hardlight Brand after defeating The Third Lamb in the Dome of the Forgotten.
How to Use: While in mid-air, press the action button to conjure a temporary platform beneath you. You can create multiple platforms in succession, but they disappear quickly. Timing is key!
Key Backtracking Opportunities:
- Cran's Pass: Return to Cran's Pass. There are several wide chasms and gaps that can only be crossed using the Hardlight Brand. These often lead to optional bosses or significant treasure. Look for a particularly wide gap near the entrance from the Pitchwoods.
- The Ruined Temple: The Ruined Temple has areas with large, open spaces that demand the Hardlight Brand for full exploration. You can find hidden pathways leading to rare upgrade materials and even a secret boss if you explore diligently.
- Saltfin Wetlands: The Saltfin Wetlands, with its treacherous waters and scattered platforms, becomes much more navigable with the Hardlight Brand. You can now reach isolated platforms containing valuable loot and bypass some of the more dangerous aquatic enemies.

The Goldenwine Brand: Inverting Gravity

The Goldenwine Brand is arguably the most transformative ability, allowing you to invert gravity and walk on ceilings. This completely changes how you perceive and navigate the game world.

Location: The Goldenwine Brand is found after defeating the Untouched Inquisitor in the Disemboweled Husk.
How to Use: Press the action button while standing on a surface to invert gravity. You can then walk on the ceiling until you press the button again or fall off.
Key Backtracking Opportunities:
- All Areas: Seriously, all areas. The Goldenwine Brand opens up an incredible amount of hidden content. Look for ceilings with suspicious textures, or areas where you previously thought you were at the "top" of a room.
- Hager's Cavern: Many of the seemingly dead-end vertical shafts in Hager's Cavern now have inverted pathways leading to new sections or hidden items.
- The Mire of Stench: The Mire of Stench, with its intricate cave systems, has numerous inverted paths that lead to shortcuts, rare crafting materials, and even secret areas.
- Red Hall of Cages: Revisit the Red Hall of Cages. The Goldenwine Brand allows you to access upper levels and bypass some of the more challenging enemy gauntlets, often leading to valuable loot or alternative routes to other zones.
- Shivering Shore: Even the very first area, the Shivering Shore, holds secrets accessible with the Goldenwine Brand. Look for a seemingly unreachable ledge high above the initial beach.

Remember, constant vigilance and a willingness to re-explore are key to uncovering all of Salt and Sanctuary's secrets. Don't be afraid to experiment with your new Brands in old areas; you'll be surprised at what you find!