Level 6-1
Sand Dunes
Welcome to the scorching desert! Navigate vast sand dunes under the blazing sun. This introductory desert level teaches you about heat management, sand movement physics, and desert-specific enemies. The shifting sands hide both danger and treasure.
Level Objectives
- Cross the desert expanse
- Survive heat exposure (keep heat below 80%)
- Defeat 60 desert enemies
- Find 3 water oases
Video Walkthrough
Step-by-Step Guide
Heat Management System
Your heat gauge starts at 0% and increases 1% per 5 seconds in direct sunlight. At 80%, you take 5% HP damage per second. At 100%, you take 20% HP/sec. Find shade (dark areas behind dunes, under rock formations) to cool down (-2%/sec in shade). Water oases instantly reduce heat to 0%.
Sand Movement Physics
Movement on sand is 20% slower than normal terrain. Sand slopes affect speed: moving uphill is 40% slower, downhill is 20% faster. You can slide down steep dunes for extra speed (hold down while descending). Quicksand patches (darker sand) slow you to 50% speed - avoid them.
Desert Navigation
The desert is vast and open with few landmarks. Three oases serve as checkpoints: First oasis at 30% progress, second at 60%, third at 90%. Follow the sun direction (always moves west across sky) or look for vulture circles (they circle above oases).
Enemy Adaptation
Desert enemies are adapted to heat - they don't suffer from sun exposure like you do. Scorpions burrow under sand (watch for moving sand), snakes hide behind dunes (ambush attacks), vultures circle overhead (dive bombs). Stay alert and keep moving.
Enemy Guide
Sand Scorpion
(Basic Enemy)Tips: Burrows underground, emerges to attack. Watch for sand ripples indicating movement. Dies in 3 hits. Stinger attack has short range but deals 15% HP damage. Most common enemy.
Desert Viper
(Ambush Enemy)Tips: Hides behind dunes, strikes when you pass. Look for tail tip poking out of sand. Fast strike (hard to dodge). Dies in 4 hits. Poison bite deals 5% HP over 5 seconds.
Vulture
(Flying Enemy)Tips: Circles overhead at high altitude. Periodically dive-bombs (telegraphed by screech). Dies in 2 hits but hard to hit while flying. Wait for dive, dodge, then counter-attack.
Boss Battle Tips
- •Heat management is key: Plan your route to pass through shaded areas every 60-80 seconds. Never let heat exceed 70%
- •Oasis locations: First oasis is northwest of starting point (3 minutes travel). Second is center-east (4 minutes from first). Third is southeast (3 minutes from second)
- •Quicksand avoidance: Darker sand patches are quicksand. They're not instant death but waste time. If caught, rapidly tap movement keys to escape faster
- •Enemy priority: Vipers are the most dangerous due to poison. Kill them first. Scorpions second. Ignore vultures unless they're dive-bombing
- •Sand sliding: On tall dunes, slide down the steep side for speed boost. You can skip 20-30 seconds of travel time using this technique on 4-5 major dunes
- •Heat trick: At 70% heat, stay in shade for 10 seconds (reduces to 50%). Then you have another minute of safe sun exposure. Efficient heat cycling