Heart Fragment (Chapter 1)

Lore & Background

The fragments are deeply tied to the history of the Forsaken City and the ancient civilization that once thrived there before falling into ruin. Their distribution across the level suggests a deliberate placement by those who came before, perhaps intended for a worthy successor or a specific ritual. As Madeline gathers them, she is inadvertently reactivating dormant mechanisms and piecing together the fragmented history of her own struggle against the mountain's challenges.

In Their Own Story

The air in the Forsaken City was thick with dust and silence, broken only by the soft hum of a glowing shard resting atop a crumbling pillar. Madeline reached out, her fingers trembling slightly as she brushed against the cold, crystalline surface. A warm pulse shot up her arm, illuminating the shadows around her with a soft, golden light. It was more than just an object; it felt like a memory returning to her, a whisper of strength from a time before the mountain became so hostile.

Reader's Guide

Heart Fragments are collected by navigating through the platforming challenges of Chapter 1. Each fragment requires precise movement, dash timing, and often the use of wall jumps or air dashes to reach elevated or hidden locations. Once collected, these shards accumulate in a counter visible on the screen. They do not provide immediate stat boosts but serve as currency for progression. Gathering all twenty fragments in the chapter unlocks the elevator at the end of the level, allowing access to Chapter 2. Additionally, collecting specific numbers of fragments reveals entries in Madeline's journal, providing context and lore about the mountain. They are wielded by the player character, acting as a measure of completion and dedication to the climb.

Did You Know?

• Collecting all Heart Fragments in Chapter 1 is required to unlock the elevator leading to Forsaken City's exit.
• These fragments are visually distinct from B-Sides or C-Sides collectibles, appearing only in the main story chapters initially.
• The sound effect when collecting a fragment has a unique chime that resonates with the game's emotional themes.
• Hidden fragments often require mastering specific movement techniques like wall jumping or precise dashing to retrieve.