In the vibrant world of Pseudoregalia, players are treated to a fast-paced platforming experience with tight movement mechanics, expansive levels, and unique challenges that test both skill and timing. Among the most intriguing areas in the game is the Dilapidated Dungeon, a zone that captures the crumbling essence of forgotten architecture while pushing players to master traversal. One of the standout challenges in this dungeon is the Time Trial, which combines the thrill of speedrunning with the satisfaction of exploration. The Dilapidated Dungeon Time Trial offers an engaging challenge that rewards precision, mastery of movement, and a keen understanding of the game’s mechanics.
Understanding the Dilapidated Dungeon
Atmosphere and Level Design
The Dilapidated Dungeon in Pseudoregalia is not just a backdrop for action; it’s a carefully crafted space that reflects the world’s lore and gameplay goals. Its walls are aged and broken, its floors uneven, and its corridors lead into shadowy recesses that hide secrets and traps. The area is designed to feel ancient and unstable, enhancing the urgency of the Time Trial challenge. The developers created this level with verticality in mind, featuring platforms at varying heights, hidden ledges, and corridors that force players to use every tool in their movement arsenal.
Accessing the Dungeon
Before you can even attempt the Time Trial, you need to unlock the Dilapidated Dungeon. Typically, players gain access after acquiring a few core movement abilities, such as wall climbing or dash, which are essential for both exploration and surviving the trial itself. The entrance is tucked away, and reaching it is its own mini-challenge, often requiring players to revisit earlier zones with new movement skills.
What is the Time Trial?
Core Objective
The Time Trial in the Dilapidated Dungeon is a timed challenge where players must navigate through the level as quickly as possible, often with limited room for error. The route includes deadly falls, tricky platforming sequences, and the need to combine different movement mechanics fluidly. The goal is to reach the finish line before the timer expires, ideally setting a personal best or even a record-worthy time.
Where It Fits in Gameplay
This trial is a perfect example of Pseudoregalia’s emphasis on momentum and flow. Unlike combat challenges, the dungeon’s Time Trial demands spatial awareness, precise input, and mastery of rhythm. It is optional but rewarding, offering players a chance to prove their platforming prowess and often unlocking hidden items, cosmetic upgrades, or even lore-related content for successful completion.
Essential Movement Techniques
Dash and Momentum
The dash ability is your best friend in the Dilapidated Dungeon Time Trial. It can be used mid-air or on the ground, often to bridge large gaps or correct a misstep. Learning when to dash and how to preserve momentum through turns and jumps is critical. Advanced players often use dash chaining to maintain speed throughout the course.
Wall Jumps and Climbing
Many of the dungeon’s walls are climbable or designed to support wall jumping. This mechanic is not just for vertical ascent; it’s often used to reset position during awkward landings or to bypass sections that appear inaccessible at first glance. Practicing wall jumps and learning how to smoothly transition between walls and platforms will significantly improve your times.
Slide Mechanics
Sliding can be a speedrun tactic, particularly when transitioning from a descent into a forward burst. Some portions of the dungeon allow for slide boosting, where descending slopes can be used to launch the character forward if timed correctly. This isn’t always obvious, so experimentation pays off.
Tips for Beating the Time Trial
Practice Makes Perfect
The Dilapidated Dungeon is designed to be challenging, and the Time Trial is no exception. Don’t expect to complete it on the first try. Instead, treat your early attempts as learning runs. Memorize the layout, observe enemy placement (if any), and identify where you’re losing time. Each run will make you faster and more confident.
Plan Your Route
There’s usually more than one way to traverse the dungeon. Finding shortcuts or alternate paths is part of the fun. Some players might prefer high routes with tight jumps, while others may find safer but slower ground-level paths. Planning a reliable route that balances speed and safety is key to consistently good times.
Refine Your Movement
Precision in input is vital. Learning the exact distance of a dash, how long to hold a jump, and when to cancel a movement action will save seconds. Small mistakes like overshooting a platform or mistiming a jump can cause major delays, especially near the end of the trial.
Use Audio and Visual Cues
The dungeon’s design offers subtle hints. Listen for the sounds of falling debris, moving platforms, or distant doors. Visually, glowing markers or specific wall textures often signal climbable areas or secret paths. Paying attention to the environment can reveal hidden optimizations.
Rewards for Completion
In-Game Items
Completing the Time Trial in the Dilapidated Dungeon typically grants a tangible reward. This could be a collectible item, an ability upgrade, or a cosmetic change like a skin or visual enhancement. These rewards are more than just flair they can motivate players to improve their performance across the game.
Player Satisfaction
Beyond material rewards, there’s a deep sense of accomplishment tied to beating the timer. Knowing you’ve conquered one of the most demanding sequences in the game provides confidence and enhances your appreciation of the game’s mechanics. For many, the Time Trial becomes a personal benchmark of skill.
Community and Replayability
Speedrunning Appeal
The Pseudoregalia community has embraced the Time Trials as unofficial speedrun courses. Players often share strategies, route optimizations, and timing tips online. These discussions create a shared challenge, where improving your dungeon time becomes a way to engage with the broader player base.
Chasing Better Times
Replayability is a major feature of the Time Trial. Even after completion, players return to shave off seconds, perfect their movement, and discover new tricks. The thrill of self-improvement, combined with the dungeon’s complex layout, makes it one of the game’s most enduring challenges.
The Dilapidated Dungeon Time Trial in Pseudoregalia stands out as a beautifully crafted challenge that encapsulates the game’s core strengths: smooth movement, smart level design, and rewarding experimentation. It encourages players to go beyond passive exploration and engage deeply with the environment through skillful traversal. Whether you’re a seasoned platforming veteran or a curious newcomer, the Time Trial offers an unforgettable blend of tension, thrill, and satisfaction. Mastering it is not just a victory over the timer, but a celebration of what makes Pseudoregalia such a compelling indie gem.