Cadence of Hyrule: Beginner Tips & Tricks

It’s been teased for a while, but Cadence of Hyrule finally got released for the Switch this week. It blends The Legend of Zelda together with the gameplay of Crypt of the Necrodancer, and the result is a fun roguelike with a pretty kickass soundtrack. Here are some Cadence of Hyrule beginner tips to get you started, in case you’re having trouble with the game.

Fiddle With the Options

Before you start a new file, you’ll be able to tweak some of the gameplay options to tailor it to your preferences. Crypt of the Necrodancer pros will be able to bump up the difficulty a little if they’re looking for a challenge, especially since Cadence of Hyrule is way more forgiving than its predecessor.

For the newcomers, though, I recommend jumping in with the default difficulty, and with the Fixed Beat option off. This allows you to get acquainted with the core rhythm mechanics, where you’re supposed to make your moves according to the beat of the music. This means that every step you take, every attack and move you make has to be done according to the beat.

Enemies move according to the beat as well, which means that you can always predict their next move. Things get tricky later on as new enemy types get introduced, but this is the best way of playing the game.

However, not everyone’s great at keeping a beat, so if you just want to enjoy the RPG combat aspects of Cadence of Hyrule, you can do that as well. Just bring up the options menu and you can turn on the Fixed Beat option anytime you want.

In this mode, enemies will only move when you move, which turns this into a slower-paced tactical experience. You’ll have more time to think through your moves, and once you’ve gotten acquainted with all the different items and what they do, you can turn off Fixed Beat and start playing to the rhythm.

Hold Onto Your Diamonds

One of the most crucial beginner tips for Cadence of Hyrule involves the usage of Diamonds. These are the currency used to help you get more permanent items and upgrades that will help you on your next run.

Diamonds are obtained by clearing all enemies in one screen, and unlike Rupees, you don’t lose them when you die. When you do die, though, you’ll be sent to a shop where you can spend Diamonds on items.

I highly recommend saving up your Diamonds for Heart Containers and the Broadsword. The Heart Container increases your maximum health, while the Broadsword allows you to hit the three adjacent tiles in front of you. Both will make your future runs much more manageable and they’re with you permanently, so get those first.

Tag All the Sheikah Stones

As you explore the world in Cadence of Hyrule, you’ll come across grey Sheikah Stones. Walk into them to activate them, and some may open up secret cave entrances that leads to more enemies and loot.

Sheikah Stones also serve another purpose: fast travel. Once you obtain the Lute from Cadence, you’ll be able to warp from Stone to Stone, making it much easier for you to travel between important areas on the map.

The Lute itself is found in the Lake Hylia area, which is slightly west of Link’s House. Head into the cave to find Cadence, and she’ll hand over the Lute. The Lute can be used like any normal consumable item (it’s permanent, though), so make full use of the fast travel function.

Spend Rupees, Use Items

The nice thing about Cadence of Hyrule is that items you pick up in the game stick with you permanently. While your picked up gear and Heart Containers will go away when you die, items like Scrolls, Bombs, and Bombchus are permanent.

You might be tempted to save them for future runs, but the game regularly rewards you with items that you’ll soon start filling up your inventory quickly. Aside from that, you’ll also want to spend your Rupees once you’ve amassed a good amount of them.

Unlike items, Rupees do not stay with you between runs, so you’ll definitely want to spend those at shops for better gear and items. When the shopkeeper is near, you’ll hear his operatic vocals fade in, which indicates that he’s only one screen away. He’s usually found underground, so look out for steps leading down.

Be sure to search for Twinfinite for more beginner tips and information on Cadence of Hyrule.