Shoulders of Giants is a colorful new sci-fi roguelike game that sees players control a dynamic bad-guy-fighting robot and frog duo. An evil known as Entropy has swept over the universe, draining planets of their heat and color. Froggie and GERM must work together with their friends to restore life to the galaxy and prevent the heat death of the universe.
Players have the ability to control both the sword-wielding robot GERM and the gunslinging amphibian Froggie as they explore each planet and fight off the forces of Entropy. With active and often hectic roguelike gameplay, there can be quite a steep learning curve for new players of Shoulders of Giants. Here are a few key tips for beginners.
1 Pay Attention To The Dialogue
Shoulders of Giants features a key team of galactic animal experts who aid Froggie and GERM in restoring balance to the universe. In the early stages of the game, these team members will pipe up with conversations, lore, and recommendations for Froggie and GERM’s strategies.
While players are out fighting for the galaxy, these dialogues pop up on screen in the form of text and the character’s image. However, Shoulders of Giants includes no voice acting. Players will need to be sure to read these messages carefully so as not to miss anything.
2 Collect New Abilities
Abilities for both Froggie and GERM will be hidden throughout each world that they visit. Players should make every effort to seek these out, as they can be a big game changer for the fights with enemies and bosses on each level.
By exploring the planet and keeping a keen eye on the landscape, players should be able to spot the abilities. They will appear with a unique glowing icon and can be equipped directly. Both Froggie and GERM have a max capacity of three abilities that can be equipped at any time.
3 Choose The Right Cores
At the end of each successful planet rehabilitation, players will be sent to the main hub where they can upgrade abilities and craft weapons to help them in their quest. One key feature of this hub is the ability to change GERM’s Cores with Panda.
Each Core will allow GERM to have specific features and can be interchanged depending on the player’s desired gaming style. Players can also craft new Cores from old equipment which will then be recycled into a randomized higher level Core.
4 Save XP For Upgrades
Speaking with Panda in the main hub also allows players to equip different Dyes. These Dyes are the equivalent of different skins and will change the appearance of both Froggie and Germ when equipped. Though this customization is fun, it does cost XP to use.
Players aiming to get the most success early on should preserve their XP for more important ability upgrades. XP can be spent to level up abilities for both Froggie and GERM, as well as abilities related to the worlds and stats as well. This will make each ability stronger and modify their effects.
5 Don’t Forget To Reload
As the gunslinging half of Shoulders of Giants’ dynamic duo, Froggie has a unique and customizable set of abilities and weapons. Weapons can be crafted or looted during each level and have different levels of power and damage.
Though Froggie’s sharpshooting skills are incredibly useful, especially when taking down monoliths or performing headshots, the game does have an ammunition system in play. Reloading is necessary after Froggie has exhausted his ammo, so players will need to keep this in mind.
6 Dodge, Dash, And Time Attacks
In this expansive roguelike action game, there’s no shortage of enemies to battle. Each level in the worlds players will visit will have the objective of clearing three monoliths and the enemies that surround them in order to move on.
These enemies will automatically attack once players are close enough, and will usually use projectiles or other fighting styles to slow down Froggie and GERM. However, it’s not a simple case of hacking and slashing the fastest. Players will need to employ a variety of techniques to be effective in this skill-based combat game.
7 Target Key Enemies First
Shoulders of Giants features a variety of different enemy types, each with their own unique abilities and styles of fighting. Players will need to make sure that they’re targeting the right enemies first, and not simply killing whoever gets too close.
Certain enemies will be able to heal the other monsters around them, making it harder for players to eliminate their foes. These enemies, recognizable by their distinct green and black moth-like design, should be players’ first targets in the field.
8 Go Co-op In Online Play
The game also features an online multiplayer component, in which players can team up with a variety of friends to battle the forces of Entropy. The game’s online co-op mode allows up to four players to join forces and fight together to save the universe from destruction.
In Best Friend mode, two players can operate the Froggie and GERM duo with each getting control of one of the characters. In this mode, teamwork is key, as only the player controlling GERM will be able to control their movement.
Shoulders of Giants is available now on Xbox and PC.