Controls

What button do I push?

Marika’s Actions

You can choose between playing with a game controller or the keyboard. All of the control keys can be redefined to your liking. The default keys are listed here.

Control Name Default Key
[left] Left or A
[right] Right or D
[up] Up or W
[down] Down or S
[action1] z
[action2] x
[action3] c
[cycle-select] v
[scout] Shift
[use] Space
[inventory] Escape

Moving

Holding the [left] or [right] keys will make Marika run, while merely tapping them will make her take a single-step sashay.

If Marika brushing up against a ledge, hold [left] or [right] to push her into the ledge. She will then grab onto it when her hands are aligned with the ledge. Keep holding the button until she finishes her climb.

When you release the [left] or [right] keys, Marika will take a moment to slow down. She is smart enough to not slide off the edge of a cliff, though! As long as you are not holding these buttons down, she will stop before she tumbles.

You can also sashay right up to the edge of a cliff. If you attempt to sashay when Marika is right at the edge, she will look down instead.

The [up] button, by itself, will make Marika enter an open door.

The [down] button, by itself, will make Marika crouch.

Jumping

Use the [action1] button to make Marika jump. If she is not already moving, she will just jump straight up in the air. You can hold the [action1] button down for a bit to make her jump higher. If she is running, she will do a long-jump.

Once she learns the appropriate skills, you can make Marika do a few more things.

Marika can jump straight up and grab ledges directly below or above her. This may take a little bit of practice, but by the time you find the appropriate skill, you will have already mastered the basics.

Climbing Down (Requires Climb Skill Level 1)

To climb down from a ledge to the ledge below:

  1. Sashay to the edge. You don’t have to be pixel-perfect, but Marika does need to be close to the edge.
  2. Turn facing away from the edge.
  3. Crouch down.
  4. Press the [action1] button.

Climbing Up (Requires Climb Skill Level 1)

To climb up onto a ledge above:

  1. Sashay to the edge again, and turn around—just like you had to do to climb down.
  2. Press the [action1] button to jump.
  3. Hold the [left] or [right] button to push Marika into the ledge.
  4. Marika will grab onto the ledge when her hands are aligned properly, then begin to climb.

Dropping Through Semi-Solid Floors (Requires Climb Skill Level 1)

To drop through a semi-solid floor:

  1. Press the [down] button to crouch.
  2. Press the [jump] button to drop.

Note! Marika can also jump up through a semi-solid floor. If you are holding [up] while doing so, she will grab onto the floor and begin to pull herself up. Of course, if she jumps so high that her feet clear the semi-solid floor, she will just land on it.

Scouting (Requires Scout Skill Level 1)

The [scout] button, in conjunction with a direction button, will pan the camera in the desired direction. Scouting is crucial to navigating Vallan compounds safely, especially at the beginning of the game when she is relatively weak.

Marika can also scout while aiming a shooting-type weapon, such as the throwing knives. Marika can only scout left or right while aiming a weapon, though.

Higher levels of Scout will enable Marika to see even farther ahead. Keep holding [scout] + [direction] until the camera has panned as far as you want it to.

Somersault (Requires Roll Skill Level 1)

If Marika is running, you can press the [down] button to make her roll.

While Marika is crouching or rolling, she will be much harder to hit. Vallan guards are trained to aim for the head, so there’s a good chance they’ll aim too high if she ducks. She will also be harder to spot, making it a bit easier for her to be sneaky!

Primary Attack

Use the [action2] button to perform Marika’s primary attack. This is the attack selected from her special weapons, or fists.

See the weapons page for a description of how to use these attacks.

Secondary Attack

Press the [action3] button to perform Marika’s secondary attack. This will be some type of kick. Kicks, in general, are slower, but more powerful.

Marika’s starting ability is a simple standing-kick. Eventually, she’ll learn all kinds of fun varieties of kicks!

Cycle-Select

The [cycle-select] button will cycle through Marika’s bookmarked special weapons. Weapons that have not been bookmarked can be selected from the inventory menu. The [cycle-select] button just makes it more convenient to find your favorites.

Use

The [use] button is used to interact with the environment. Use this button to activate buttons and switches, activate Save Ankh statues, talk to friendly NPCs, investigate background objects when a prompt appears, and more.

Inventory

Use the [inventory] button to access Marika’s inventory. The motion keys can be used to navigate the menus. The [action1] key can be used to select an inventory category or card. The game’s options are also accessed from the inventory screen—under the menu category.