Each section of this guide will be displayed as follows:

Image() Achievement Name
Description
Tags: storyline, missable, etc

Similar achievements are grouped together under one section.

News()
Use 10 different OVC Terminals.
missable



The following 10 terminals are early ones that you can find. There are a lot more of them so there's no need to worry if you missed a few.

OVC Terminal Locations:

• Goldwalk District/Plaza (NE of Junction Jan's)
  
• Goldwalk Channel* (entrance found SW or NE of the access point after Junction Jan's)
  
• Box Office* (entrance found at the western portion of Amphitheatre Parkway)
  
• Amphitheatre Parkway (accessed by going through The Empty Set)
  
• Flashback Starting Area* (you spawn in proximity of a terminal)
  
• Port 37 Archway (there's a terminal in a room behind the Backdoor entrance - see Image A)
  
• Canals District (a terminal can be found right after the second battle - see Image B)
  
• Ferry Building* (as soon as you enter, on your right)
  
• Terrace Plaza (take the left staircase right before Terrace Apartments - see Image C)
  
• Bracket Towers (go south after you exit the gondola)

The * indicates that the area or sub-area is very small and/or the terminal is easily visible soon after entering.

(Image A)



(Image B)



(Image C)

Function()
Unlock every Transistor Function.
missable, partly collectible

A small minority of functions are available in the form of pickups/collectibles. Keep that in mind so you don't end up missing a few of them. Luckily, they are very easy to spot (dead body with a blue cube) and your partner will comment on it if one is close by.

The rest are obtained by increasing your level. In total, there are 16 functions.

Search()
Inspect five completed Function Files.


Find()
Inspect 10 completed Function Files.


Reveal()
Inspect all completed Function Files.


In order to complete a Function File, you need to equip it through at least one encounter for each slot (passive, active, upgrade).

Rather than each Limiter-related achievement have it's own section, they will all just be compressed here. All you need to know is that Process Limiters are self-invoked handicaps that work the same way that Shrine Idols worked in Bastion. You can only add/remove Process Limiters by using Access Points.

Limiter()
Unlock every Process Limiter.


You naturally gain all Process Limiters by increasing your level.

Bet()
Complete five encounters with one or more Limiters in use.


Dare()
Complete five encounters with five or more Limiters in use.


Risk()
Complete five encounters with all 10 Limiters in use.


Process()
Inspect all completed Limiter Files.


You simply have to go through encounters with the Process Limiters equipped in order to complete their files.

Thanks to Chasmyr for the following tip:
"In order to get Risk() the best time is directly after a boss fight. On your second playthrough either right after Sybil or the Spine, these fights include a few "gimmies" where new mechanics are introduced, just have to be VERY patient, most fights will take significantly longer."

The tests can be accessed through the Backdoor Portals located all over Cloudbank. Each portal within the Backdoor represents the different tests.

Contest()
Clear every Test.
missable, challenge set

Just to give a quick summary: Speed tests are time trials. Planning tests require you to kill all enemies in one planned execution of Turn(). Stability tests require survival until the end. Performance tests require you to clear waves of enemies with function combinations that you are free to choose (with limitations). Agency tests are similar to the final boss fight.

Agency()
Complete each Agency Test.
missable, challenge set

Performance()
Complete each Performance Test.
missable, challenge set

For the purpose of this guide, I have refrained from mentioning anything about the Performance and Agency tests (this applies to the Limiter achievements as well). Both tests give you a lot of freedom as far as your loadout goes. The most important thing is to use loadouts that work to your advantage especially if you are aware of what you will be facing. Nerava's combat guide is an excellent source of general combat advice. Check it out as it provides helpful information to increase overall competence in the game.

http://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=262295455


Sandbox()
Clear one of each Test.
missable, challenge set


The Agency tests only become available on your recursion playthrough (NG+).

Speed()
Complete each Speed Test.
missable, challenge set

Speed Test 1 - You'll be surrounded by Creeps and Badcells for this test. Simply go into their line of sight to bunch them up and kill them more efficiently with Bounce().

Speed Test 2 - For this speed test, you'll by facing 1 Jerk, 1 YoungLady, and 4 Weeds. You get to use Get() and Flood(). Simply snipe the Weeds with Get() for fast kills and then group the YoungLady and Jerk before freezing time and spamming Flood(). You'll want to do the second part quick because the YoungLady spawns Badcells upon death so you'll want to be in a good position to collect all the cores after it dies to reduce the new spawns.

Speed Test 3 - You are faced with 4 Snapshots and you have Load() which is basically a mine you can forcefully trigger. Keep in mind that you can get away with pre-casting Load() to help kill the enemies faster. Once the Snapshots spawn, shoot the mines and a direct hit should kill them instantly. They're spaced out just as the previous enemies were so take note of that when laying down Load().

Speed Test 4 - Speed Test 4 was quite tricky for me. The best advice I can offer is to stay on top of laying down Purge() on each enemy. Combine it with Void() whenever you have a clear shot at multiple targets. Purge() doesn't stack so you'll want to make each shot count. Do note that the projectile you get to shoot follows the enemy but has limited distance.

Speed Test 5 - Your loadout for this test is Ping()+Mask(), Cull()+Spark(), and Jaunt()+Crash(). You'll be facing 4 Man (men). Activate Turn() right away, Jaunt THROUGH one of them, shoot them as many times with backstab Ping() as you can while leaving enough to cast your last attack, then finish off with Cull() (backstab). This is more than enough to finish off the enemy. Simply repeat 4 times.

Speed Test 6 - The main trick for this speed test is to micromanage your Help() Fetch. Use it to kill Weeds in one Bark() or Cheerleaders with three. The enemies are mostly Tier 1. The most important thing you need to avoid is having Badcells hatch when you kill the YoungLady. Having them hatch will most likely result in failure of the test.


Stability()
Complete each Stability Test.
missable, challenge set

Stability Test 1 - You'll have to survive 1 Jerk and a handful of Creeps. Some general advice to surviving this is to basically switch the Jerk over to your side whenever possible (while hitting as many as you can) and rotate it with the usage of Mask(). When you are able to to possess a Jerk successfully, use it for cover. Other than that, don't overcommit when using Crash(). Using Jaunt() as a passive reduces the cooldown of Turn() Planning, Use this to your advantage especially when tight on cooldowns.

Stability Test 2 - For this second stability test, you are given a trio of functions that are great outside of turn planning. You have 2 projectiles, Purge() and Ping() and you are also given Jaunt() with the ability to create a copy of yourself. You'll be facing 1 YoungLady, several Cluckers, and Snapshots. The copies generated by Jaunt() are more than enough to complete this test. Simply keep dashing around the outer edge of the octagon. Make sure you do long dashes otherwise you increase your chances of getting bombarded.

Stability Test 3 - You're given Help()+Spark(), Tap(), and Jaunt()+Get() to face 4 Man (men). Simply dashing around will not be sufficient this time around. Use Help() whenever you are not in immediate danger (when Haircuts have only been newly cast). The companions will serve as meat shields to increase your survivability. In between cooldowns, it's essential to use Jaunt to group the enemies together and steal HP using Tap().

An alternate strategy by Chasmyr:
"If you can get to a quiet corner, you can just camp there, sending out a dog to deal with the occasional Haircut that wanders over to you."


Planning()
Complete each Planning Test.
missable, challenge set

Planning Test 1 - The first planning test pits you against 4 Badcells that can be lined up to be killed in 2 executions of Breach().



Planning Test 2 - This time you have to kill a Jerk. Simply take advantage of backstab to maximize damage output. Get behind it and use Crash(), Breach(), Breach().



Planning Test 3 - You are given Ping() and you have to shoot 5 Badcells. This test is quite easy. Just pay attention to the trajectory of your shot. You're told whenever it will get blocked or is out of range. Sometimes, even when it projects a hit, it's possible for the attack not to connect. In that case simply try again.



Planning Test 4 - Cast a Load() past the wall and hit it with Crash() to propel it forward. Thanks MIB & BloodBobbles for the tip.



Planning Test 5 - Use Get() on all 3 Fetch then double Tap(),



Planning Test 6 - From your initial position, shoot the first Cheerleader with a Flood(). Place a Load() in between both Cheerleaders but place it so that it still gets hit by the first flood to maximize damage on the second Cheerleader. Next, line yourself up with the 2nd Cheerleader and the Clucker to shoot 2 more Flood() to finish them all off.



Planning Test 7 - The final test is surprisingly simple. You are given Crash(), Cull(), Mask(), Void() against a Jerk 3.0. Just Cash Void() 3x, get behind the Jerk, Crash(), Mask(), then Cull().

These level-related achievements are simply gained for playing through the game. Just like in Bastion, NG+ carries your level over to the next playthrough.

Align()
Achieve User Level 8.


Focus()
Achieve User Level 16.


One()
Achieve User Level 24.

Both of these achievements are related to functions and their respective upgrades.

Stack()
Create a Function combination requiring 12 MEM.


You need 3 4 MEM functions and at least 1 slot that can be fully upgraded. An example combination would be Cull()+Void()+Tap().



Self()
Upgrade a Function with a copy of itself.


You'll need to be on your recursion playthrough (NG+) before you can get doubles of your functions. When you get a spare, simply upgrade the original with the same function.

User()
Unlock every Upgrade Slot and Passive Slot.


Memory()
Unlock 32 MEM.


Both of these achievements are gained naturally through increasing your level.

Anything()
Deal at least 1024 damage in one Turn() in the Practice Test.


Everything()
Deal at least 2048 damage in one Turn() in the Practice Test.

High Damage Method as described by Quylaa

NOTE: This method, if followed properly, should earn you upwards of 15,000 points (I maxed at 18,855). You should have all 32 MEM available to do this the way I'm describing.

The easiest way to get these achievements is to head to the Practice Test at the beach. Once there. set up your function as shown:


Wait for all 5 Creeps to spawn, then use Void() to gather them all in one group, like this:


Once they're ready for the slaughter, get behind the majority of them and activate Turn(). Use Crash() to hit all of them with Purge()'s ability to start, then activate Mask(). This will make the final attack much more powerful. Use Void() 3 times on the group (to make them much, much weaker) and finish with a Cull(). The final result should look similar to this:


After that, release the Turn() and watch the process die. As I mentioned above, if done properly, this should result in a score of >15,000 which easily earns you both the achievements 1024() and 2048().

Credit for the strategy goes to reddit user Eddie4510 in his post about dealing 17K damage in one round, though his top score is 34,087. I do not yet understand how.

Newbie Method as described by Jedo

If you don't have void and all of that good stuff yet, Crash(), Jaunt()+Get(), and Cull()+Load()+Breach is more than enough. The Load() is there so that you are sure to hit the entire bunch.

Group up the enemy as shown in the video and position yourself to backstab as many of them as possible. Once positioned, use Crash() to weaken them and Cull() to finish it off for 2k+ damage.

Drive()
Reach the Goldwalk District.
storyline

This achievement is gained for riding the bike to Goldwalk District.

Reisz()
Confront Sybil at the Empty Set.
storyline

Spine()
Confront the Spine at the Bracket Towers facade.
storyline

Bracket()
Confront Royce beyond Cloudbank.
storyline

Generally, you'll want to use Void(), Mask(), Cull(), and Jaunt().

I upgraded Void() with Spark() and Crash() so as to get more bonus damage more quickly. The main strategy is to use Void() 3 times, then use Mask() and Cull() to deal over 1000 damage and kill the boss instantly.

After landing a kill, Jaunt() away as quickly as possible, because he has 4 lives you need to get rid of. He changes his attack pattern each time, but ideally you won't ever see the patterns. The harder part of the battle is gauging when Royce will use his own Turn(), since it can take off almost half your health. He will attack at roughly twice the range of Jaunt(), or slightly more than two of the trace banks in the grid.



This picture shows the ability sequence I used to kill him. The trace bank indicated is my starting point, and roughly the safe distance. If you do get caught, try to move perpendicular to his function fire lines. You can move, although it's very slow.

Note: I've read that using Jaunt as a passive instead will make your turn come first.

Kendrell()
Confront Grant and Asher at Bracket Towers.
storyline

Bye()
Complete the story.
storyline

This is gained for beating the story. Congratulations!

Goodbye()
Recurse through the story.
storyline, optional

This final achievement is gained for beating the game on your recursion playthrough.

Thank you for reading this guide. I hope that it has helped you and that you liked it as much as I liked writing it. I specifically wrote this guide for people who like the feeling of completely conquering various games (ones that have a sense of finality).

This guide would not have been possible without the contributors (Vlad, Quylaa, and Nerava) and the people who have left useful comments. Thank you all and I hope to write another guide on another good game if Supergiant Games decides on a new project.

If you liked this guide, please consider hitting following to get updates on future guides. Thank you and have a nice day!