Palace of Death

The Present:

This is for an achievement much like carrying the gnome through Half Life 2. Right at the beginning of the level at the far left of the room behind some crates is a green present. The goal here is to carry the present all the way to the end of the level. That may seem easy right? Wrong, it’s not indestructible, so if it gets hit it’s gone, leaving behind only a small monetary consolation prize. The key here is to bring the present with you through every gate or door so it won’t get left behind, but never put it in harm’s way. You’ll always want it behind cover at least, and the further back it can go the better. Anytime there’s going to be a big battle though, bring it with you into the area or it’ll get locked outside.

Secret Areas (8):

1. Right after the area with the massive waterfall in the background go through the newly opened gates. Keep going past the rock wall to find a puzzle and a secret area.
2. In the massive hall with the dining table and skeleton buffet off to the right in a dark corner is a pathway leading to a soul anchor.
3. After the dining hall room will be a series of long hallways leading to a checkpoint room. In that room hug the left wall down the path (there’s a blue glow there) and keep going to find an area and a soul anchor.
4. Under the walkway with the stained glass that gets so lovingly destroyed by the skeletons is a secret area. Hug the right wall over the fire trap and deal with the zombies, then go down the small steps to the left to visit our lovely crate friends.
5. In that same area with the twisting walkway where secret area 4 was, go northeast rather than continuing down that windy path through the parted rocks. This one leads to a puzzle.
6. After approaching the area with the large ornate black circle symbol three skeletons will emerge from some stained glass. Perhaps skeletons live behind stained glass, who knew? Either way, the middle pane is a secret area.
7. This one’s pretty easy. Right after the battle with the double Undead Sorcerers a gate will open inviting the party to the checkpoint. Well there’s also the big obvious stairs off to the right, so just go down those!
8. The final secret area is right at the end of the level, as so many of them are. Right at the end there’s a gold dragon coin up some stairs. Grab it, then go right and again for the secret area.

Puzzles:

1. This one is in secret area 1 and requires more than one player no matter what.
2. In that same area with the twisting walkway where secret area 4 was, go northeast rather than continuing down that windy path through the parted rocks. This one leads to a puzzle.

Collectibles

Heart Containers:

1. After the large dining room will be a forked hallway with one direction leading to the dining room overhang where all the money was; go there and get the Heart Container.
2. In that same room where the checkpoint for secret area 3 is there’s a Heart Container. Just go down the corridor then hang a right up the stairs and back to the container.

Soul Anchors:

1. In the massive hall with the dining table and skeleton buffet off to the right in a dark corner is a pathway leading to a soul anchor.
2. After the dining hall room will be a series of long hallways leading to a checkpoint room. In that room hug the left wall down the path (there’s a blue glow there) and keep going to find an area and a soul anchor.
3. Moving on past secret area 7 will bring the party back to a Soul Anchor they probably saw earlier. Just grab it, it’s off to the left, hug the left wall after that checkpoint if unsure.

Treasure Chests:

1. Wizard: After the battle with the Undead Sorcerer followed by the Undead Butcher and Exploder head towards the waterfall (where the checkpoint can be seen in the distance) before going through the gate. There’s a Wizard door there.
2. Assassin: In the library area where the zombies were visible (and killable) through the window near the beginning of the level will be an Assassin door that’s unmissable.
3. Mercenary: There’s a Mercenary door on the way down from secret areas 5 and 6, can’t miss it.
4. This one’s pretty easy. Right after the battle with the double Undead Sorcerers a gate will open inviting the party to the checkpoint. Well there’s also the big obvious stairs off to the right, so just go down those! There’s a treasure chest down there.