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Each new dungeon you explore inDungeons of Hinterberggets progressively tougher, with higher difficulty ratings and brain-racking puzzles inside. The Brunnelsumpf region, being the last to reopen, perfectly embodies this trend by offering some of the most challenging dungeons yet, like the Desolate Castle.
After getting your bearings in the swampy region of Brunnelsumpf by mastering its magical abilities and conquering its first dungeon, the Desolate Castle will be next on your list. From cracking its puzzles to securing its coveted commemorative coin, here’s everything you need to know to complete the Desolate Castle.
How To Complete The Desolate Castle
NavigatingBrunnelsumpf’s marshescan be a bit of a wild goose chase, as the signposts to guide you to your next dungeon are few and far between.
After gainingaccess to the kayakto cover the watery expanse, head towardBirchwood Island, which is the southwestern island. Here, you’ll find the entrance portal to Desolate Castle atop a tower.
How To Lower The Bridge
Upon entering the Desolate Castle, take note of thelarge wooden bridgehanging above you. Your objective is toblow two hornsin this area to drop the bridge.
For the first horn, head right,placing as many Jelly Blocksas needed tocross the toxic water. When you reach the chest containing aMedium HP Potion, face the rocky elevation to the left and place aJelly Block in front of its chalked ledgeto scale it, where you’ll find the first horn.
With thebridge partially lowered, make your way to the second horn. Return to the starting area and follow the path on the left. To cross the toxic water,shoot a Plasma Ball at the dormant jellyfishon the other side, whichextends a bridgefor you to safely get across. Once on the other side, head up the decrepit staircase andblow the other horn.
On your left, you’llfind a raft. If youride it, as shown in the video, it will take you to achestcontaining10,000 Hinterbucks.
This causes the bridge to lower completely, connecting the starting island with the main area of the Desolate Castle. On the bridge, defeat the waves of enemies that will ambush you, thensend a Plasma Ball between the two jellyfish, activating them simultaneously andunlocking the metal gate.
How To Reach The Three Horns
Beyond the gate is thecastle courtyard, where you’ll spot theescape portal for the Desolate Castleon top of a platform with amassive fountain. But hold your horses! You’ve got a few hoops to jump through before you can make your grand exit though.
The platform is initially out of reach, butblowing three hornsin this area will causethree submerged staircases to emerge, creating a pathway to the exit portal.
The First Horn
Luckily, thefirst horn is just in front of you. Blow it, and thefirst set of stairs will appear. Somestone pillars will also fall downall over the place, allowing you to access other parts of the castle.
Theremaining two hornsarehidden behind some challenging puzzlesthat you’ll need to solve to reach them.
The Second Horn
Head right firstand up the stone pillar. Follow the wooden path, andhead down the tower on the leftwhere you’ll have to deal with a bunch of monsters. Once you’ve defeated them, grab thedefense-boosting charmfrom the chest beside the tower andextend the bridge to reach a puzzle.
To solve this puzzle, you’ll need torotate the two wheelsso that eachjellyfish on them is positioned face-to-face. Each wheel has a mechanism inside a small compartment on either side of the area that rotates it.
However, the gate to each compartment is initially locked, but theyopen up if you activate their respective jellyfishindividually. After that, it’s only a matter ofworking your way up to the mechanismtorotate both jellyfish into the correct position.
Once you’ve done so,send a Plasma Ball between them, and thelarge metal gate will open up.
When you reach the coast, don’t forget to work your way around to the right to grab the powerfulPhysical Attack Boost Plus Threecharm from a chest.
After that, make your way to the tower on the left, anddefeat the waves of monstersthat will spawn near the entrance.
The Desolate Castle’s commemorative coin is found at the top of this tower, and you’ll need to place a Jelly Block in front of the crumbled stairs to access it.
Once you’ve defeated them, head up the tower, thenbeeline straight for the second horn. Blow it, and thesecond staircase will emerge. At the same time, ashortcut will open up to the courtyard.
The Third Horn
With one set of stairs remaining,return to the courtyardand work your way toward thetower with a lobster creston the left. At the top, open up an optional chest for aWeapon Enchantment, andhop over to the raftthat’s barely hanging by the rope.
Cut the rope torelease the raft into the water, and use yourPlasma Ball topropel the raft toward the stone rubble.
In a small alcove on the left is a chest that has thePotion Slowdown charmthat can easily be missed if you head straight for the tower.
Repeat thesame process for the next raftto reach the area with thefish tube puzzles. Here,direct a Plasma Ball at the fish’s mouthtounlock the door.
Past the locked gate, you’ll find anetwork of fish tubes. Place aJelly Block in front of the fish’s mouthon the far left, so a Plasma Ball can bounce off it. Next, unlock the mesh-fenced compartment and step inside.
Then send aPlasma Ball at the fish’s mouth above, and thanks to the Jelly Block from before, it will bounce off andhit a jellyfish,unlocking the exit gate.
From there, fight any monsters that come in your way, grab any optional chests you find, and head up the tower toreach a bedchamber. Inside, you’llfind another rafthanging from a rope.Drop it into the water belowand ride it to anothertower with a bird crest.
Before you make your way up the tower,head through the passageway on the left, where you can find a giant bench with achest holding a piece of armoron top.
From the tower, follow the only path available, and you’llreach the third horn. Interact with it, and thefinal flight of stairs to the platform will reveal itself.
This also unlocks anothershortcut to the courtyard. Follow it, and you’llmake it to the platform with the Desolate Castle’s escape portalin no time.Stamp your slayer book, step through the portal, and gear up for your next epic adventure in Brunnelsumpf!
