Upon reaching the Crossroads in Order of the Sinking Star, players face a choice of four paths: north, east, south, or west. An in-game recording near the center of the Crossroads recommends heading north or east while avoiding the west at the start.
The four directional paths
Each direction leads to a distinct zone featuring different puzzle mechanics:
- North: Leads to the Heroes of Hauling, inspired by Jonah Ostroff’s Heroes of Sokoban. Players control three heroes with unique abilities, swapping between them to complete levels.
- East: Leads to The Mirror Isles, based on Alan Hazelden’s Mirror Isles. Players use and adjust mirrors to reflect an image of themselves for teleportation alongside moving rocks.
- South: Leads to Skipping Stones to Lonely Homes, inspired by Alan Hazelden’s game of the same name. Players push rocks into water to skip them across waterways and lily pads to construct bridges.
- West: Leads to Vault of the Beamcasters (also referred to as The Promise, based on Promesst by Sean Barrett). This zone functions similarly to a mini-Metroidvania, requiring players to explore a winding maze for gems and colored arrows that grant powers.
Choosing where to begin
The northern and eastern zones offer simpler puzzles suited for easing into the game. Conversely, the southern path features more challenging puzzles requiring precise timing, while the western area represents the most difficult starting option due to its open-ended exploration.
Players are not permanently locked into any single path. The game allows users to exit to the overworld from the menu at any time, enabling them to return to the Crossroads and try a different direction if they encounter a difficult puzzle.