World 4: Tide Pool

Explore Tide Pool, noting its coral color palette, Chinese temple-like architecture, and mix of undead and undersea life. Ladders are dragon poles, and push blocks are dark red.

Be aware of water hazards: they slow movement, prevent thrown objects from dealing damage, and stop head-jumping on enemies. Water can also douse flames, but unlit Torches can be relit. The Freeze Ray is ineffective underwater.

Encounter new traps: Pink Floor Spikes (easily mistaken for decoration), Sliding Walls (activated by switches, can crush you), Lion Traps (reskinned Totem Traps dealing 4 damage), and Giant Clams (close quickly, have spiny tops, harder to cross underwater).

Face new enemies: Jiangshi (dominant type, can be baited), Axolotl (3 HP, can bubble you for a stun, gains teleport jump and bubble attack when tamed), Flying Fish (1 HP, fast, vulnerable to whip back or head jump), Octopy (3 HP, spits ink, jumps, has damaging head spikes), Hermit Crab (3 HP, uses shells, emits poisonous bubbles, beware of those with red push blocks), Pangxie (20 HP, claws, spits poisonous bubbles, drops gems, Wooden Shield, or rare Metal Shield), and Great Humphead (40 HP, found on 4-2, moves toward you, drops Camera, Mystery Box, and Hired Hand).

Avoid extensive exploration in backrooms as they offer little reward and feature long vertical shafts.

The Golden Idol trap is a Giant Clam. Grab the Idol on first touch; it's worth $20000 in World 4.

On rare levels, find six jail cells requiring a key or Bombs to open, containing Hired Hands and gold.

Visit Madame Tusk's Dice Shop, usually on 4-1. The price to play is $5000, with five reward items. Robbing the shop can be done using a Wooden Shield to push Tusk and her bodyguard into a Force Field.

On 4-2, participate in the Star Challenge by paying Tun $25000. You have thirty seconds to light all torches; Jetpack or other mobility items are highly recommended. Work in a circle, section by section, and be mindful of vertical shafts.