Beginner guide: how Queen's Domain actually works

Short version: attack only when the yellow Power Meter is full (hold to charge it blue), never trade hits, save at every Crystal Monument you pass, and remember that resting respawns enemies. Then explore everywhere, because hidden foods and weapons make the game much easier.

Combat: the Power Meter is everything

The yellow bar under your Life Points is the Power Meter. It works as stamina, and it also sets your damage. A swing at a full meter deals full damage. A swing at an empty meter deals almost none. Running drains it too, and it won't refill until you stop running. Players

• Attack once, then back off. Spamming attacks keeps the meter near empty, so most of your hits do almost nothing. Players who say the game "got easy" learned this first. Players
• Charge attacks. Hold the attack button and the meter turns blue; release for maximum damage. You can start charging before the meter has refilled, but while charging you can't run, dash or throw. Players
• There is no block or parry. You avoid damage by moving. Many early enemies (rats, mosquitoes) track you badly, so circling them works. Players
• Throw daggers while you recharge. The Dagger Belt gives a throwing weapon with its own charges. Use it while your melee meter refills. Players
• Use weapon specials. Many weapons have a special move (LT on controller). The Rusted Spear's special is a backstep that works as a dodge. Players
• Read the bestiary. It lists enemy EXP and weaknesses, and matching damage types makes a big difference. Players

Saving, resting and death

There is no autosave and no checkpoint. You save by hand at a Crystal Monument. If you die, you reload that save and lose everything since. Players

• Save at every monument you pass. Saving costs nothing. Sometimes walking back to the last monument is smarter than pushing on.
• Rest at a monument to restore Life Points and clear status effects. Resting respawns enemies you have killed. Enemies also come back on their own after enough time. Players
• Think before you save in a strange place. The game has deep optional areas you can fall into early. Saving at the bottom can leave you stuck at a low level, and players have done exactly that. Players See the well and how to escape.
• Players report a single save slot and are asking the developer for more. Players

No map: navigation and fast travel

There is no in-game map. You get a compass and landmarks. Your crosshair lights up on things you can interact with, which matters a lot for hidden switches and secret walls. Players

Dead ends often open into shortcuts (an elevator, a ramp, a door from the other side) once you reach the far end of an area. The world also changes as you progress; the knights' camps at the start are a good example. Players

Leveling, stats and stat foods

You gain EXP from enemies and level up automatically. Each level raises base Life Points and Attack Power. Players The store page also confirms you can "eat delicious food to further increase your stats". Official

• Stat foods are permanent and stack. You get the bonus as soon as you pick the food up; players report extra Life Points from roast chicken and about +3% attack speed per Steamed Clams. Broiled Meat raises Attack Power. Players
• Many foods are hidden behind secret walls or tricky jumps. Skeletons that point are often a hint that a hidden door is nearby. Players
• The status screen shows Attack Power, Attack Speed, Magic Rate, Luck, Damage Resistance and one resistance for each status effect. Accessories change resistances. Players
• Weapons level up separately as you use them. See weapon levels.

Status effects

The in-game Guide menu lists the status effects. Most wear off over time, and resting at a Crystal Monument clears all of them. Players

Loot, coins and treasure

• Look at the floor after every kill. Drops are small and blend into the ground. This is the most common complaint in the Steam forums. Players
• Ancient Coins are the currency, spent at Umbada's Trading Outpost, which opens after the first boss. Players
• Items such as the Filthy Loot Sack are Treasure: sell them at the shop for coins. Players

Settings worth changing

• DX12: patch 1.01.02 added a DirectX 12 launch option on PC. Official
• Brightness: some areas are very dark, and players recommend bringing a light source into them. Players The demo patches lowered the minimum brightness so menus stay visible. Official
• Controller: full controller support, including DualShock and DualSense. Official