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After the player gets started in Solar Ash, they will need to get rid of some black gunk that is jamming signals in the area. The Crater, which is the starting area, has 3 anomalies composed of this dark slime that needs to be cleared.
From the central part of the Crater, where the player finds a large structure and an ally in the form of a hologram named Cyd, one must go off into different directions to seek out the anomalies. Thankfully, gamers can scan for them by using the protagonist Rei's multi-tool, which will point them toward their targets in Solar Ash.
How To Clear The 1st Crater Anomaly (Downhill)
Which anomaly the player first chooses to clear does not matter, so use the multi-tool by holding L1 on a PlayStation controller to scan for the nearest anomaly. If the player is closest to the part of the Crater that slopes down, they will be led to a series of passages between some platforms. While there is some Plasma that one can collect lingering in these small canyons, gamers will want to get Rei on top of the rocky shelves.
Step 1 - Defeat All Enemies Before Starting The Timer
After climbing the black goo on the side of one of the walls, players will be able to see what's on top of the platforms of rock. There will be a green object, more black goo (which is causing the signal jamming), and a clear path around the tops of the rocky shelves. Players should get familiar with the objects of light green coloration, as these are targets that will need to be struck and grappled onto frequently in this game.
However, before doing so here, players should get rid of all of the small enemies littering the various platforms, as they will get in the way. After doing so, hit the green object, which will weaken the black goo and open up more light green weaknesses that need to be struck to attack the anomaly. Hitting the first weakness will also begin a timer, which will force players to race to the next green object. One will have to run and jump across the nearby platforms to destroy them all before the timer runs out, otherwise, the player will have to start over.
Step 2 - Hit The Anomaly's Main Weak Point
After getting to the end of the rocky platform path, a final weak point will show up, though, this one will be circular and will be hovering in the air. This means that the player will have to use R1, if using a PlayStation controller, to grapple onto this green object and pull themselves to it. On contact, the weakness will shatter and will reveal the anomaly's central eye--which Rei will pierce with a large energy needle. This is how all anomalies are destroyed in Solar Ash, however, this is the easiest one to clear.
How To Clear The 2nd Crater Anomaly (Uphill)
Another anomaly can be found by following the multi-tool scanner to a way that leads uphill. Follow the light blue foamy terrain up until one passes through a checkpoint between in a narrow pass. Beyond, one's platforming skills will be gently tested.
Step 1 - Climb The Black Goo On The Walls
When one enters the area for this relatively easy puzzle, there will be some climbable black goo on the left wall. Scale it to the elevated area nearby, and one will see what they need to do next.
There are more stretches of black anomaly goo covering other walls that will lead Rei higher. Clamber up them to get to the upper area of the structure.
Step 2 - Begin The Timer & Race Around The Corner
Around a wall at the top, players will find a vertical light green weakness--the kind that needs to be hit will a melee attack to be broken. After smashing it, players will have to run around the corner and down a short corridor while breaking more weaknesses. At the end of this corridor will be the anomaly's main weak point, which Rei will have to grapple onto in order to break it and destroy this anomaly.
How To Clear The 3rd Crater Anomaly (On A Cliff)
The final anomaly in the Crater is found through a narrow pass that will lead players through an area with some ancient ruins. It's worth mentioning that there is a Cache near to this area as well, which can be spotted on an elevated area to the right of the entrance archway.
Step 1 - Travel Up To The Cliff Housing The Anomaly
Through the entrance archway, players will find a path lined with what seems to be the ruined walls of some ancient structure. Progress through this area while defeating all of the small anomaly enemies that try to get in Rei's way. At the end of this path, players will find the cliff where the anomaly's heart rests.
Step 2 - Use Timeskip & Grappling To Destroy The Anomaly
All of the light green weaknesses that Rei needs to break in order to open up the main weak point of this anomaly are at the tops of the massive rib bones lying around it. This will mean that the player must grapple to various high points in quick succession. When using a PlayStation controller, one can press the Circle button to use Rei's timeskip ability for wider grappling timing windows. When used, timeskip will slow time down enough to allow players to aim at their next grapple point easier. Timeskip also allows one to grapple onto objects further away, as an added convenience.
By using the timeskip ability, players can zoom between the various ribcage weaknesses and break them all to expose this anomaly's main weak point. When it is open for attack, players can plunge an energy spear into it to finally cleanse the Crater of all anomalies, which will progress the game and unlock the first boss fight.
Solar Ash is available on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.