Finding Key Items in Open World Games
This guide explains how to find items that unlock new areas in open world games, covering both the general strategies and the specific tricks used by many titles. You’ll learn how to read your map, use your quest log, and spot the environmental clues that lead to these important items. By the end, you’ll know what to look for and how to approach the search without getting stuck.
What You’ll Need
- Your game’s map (open it with the map button, usually M, Tab, or the touchpad).
- Your quest log or journal (often opened with J, L, or a menu tab).
- A way to mark map locations (a custom marker or waypoint, if the game has one).
- Patience and a willingness to explore off the main path.
Step-by-Step
- Check your quest log and map markers. Open your quest log and look for any objective that mentions a “key,” “seal,” “fragment,” “emblem,” or “core.” These are common names for area-unlocking items. If a quest points to a specific location, set a waypoint there and head out. Often the item is the reward for completing that quest, not something you find lying around.
- Look for locked doors, gates, or barriers. While exploring, keep an eye out for anything that looks blocked: a glowing door, a sealed gate, a barrier of energy, or a cracked wall. Interact with it if you can. The game will usually tell you what you need, like “Requires Rusty Key” or “Sealed by Ancient Magic.” Write that down or remember it.
- Talk to every NPC you meet. Non-playable characters often give hints about where to find the item you need. They might say something like “The old mine to the east has what you seek” or “The bandit leader carries the key.” Talk to merchants, guards, and even random villagers. Repeat conversations if the dialogue doesn’t change—sometimes new lines appear after you complete other quests.
- Explore dungeons, ruins, and strongholds. These are the most common places for unlock items. Look for a dungeon that seems out of place or is marked on your map with a different icon (like a cave, a tower, or a skull). Go inside, fight through the enemies, and search every room. The item is often at the end, guarded by a mini-boss or hidden behind a puzzle.
- Search for hidden chests and lootable objects. Not every unlock item is in a dungeon. Some are in chests that are hidden behind waterfalls, under bridges, or in attics. Use your game’s “detect” or “focus” ability if it has one—this often highlights interactive objects in the environment. Also, check barrels, crates, and piles of bones; they sometimes contain keys or fragments.
- Complete side quests and optional objectives. Many open world games tie unlock items to side quests. If you see a quest that isn’t part of the main story, do it. The reward is often a key or a special tool. Look for quests that have a unique icon, like a diamond or a star, as these often have better rewards.
- Defeat named enemies and bosses. Sometimes the item is a guaranteed drop from a specific enemy. Check your bestiary or enemy log if the game has one. If you encounter a boss with a name, kill it and search the area where it died. The item might be in a chest that appears after the fight.
- Use your map’s legend and filters. Open your map and look for icons that you haven’t visited yet. Many games show undiscovered locations as gray or faded icons. Zoom in and look for anything that looks like a key, a gear, or a question mark. Go to those spots—they often contain the item you need.
- Look for environmental clues. Sometimes the game gives you a visual hint. A statue holding a missing piece, a wall with a keyhole-shaped indentation, or a pedestal with a glowing outline. If you see something like that, search the immediate area for the matching item. It might be in a nearby cave or on a ledge you can climb.
- Check your inventory for “quest items” or “key items.” Open your inventory and look for a specific tab for key items or quest items. Read the description of any item you have that you haven’t used yet. The description often gives a hint, like “A rusty key that might fit the old gate in the western forest.”
Common Mistakes
- Ignoring the quest log. Many players try to find the item by wandering randomly, but the game usually gives you a hint or a quest. Always read the quest text.
- Skipping side content. If you rush through the main story, you might miss the item that’s locked behind a side quest. Do everything.
- Not talking to NPCs twice. Some NPCs only give you a hint after you’ve done something else. Revisit them.
- Forgetting to search the boss arena. After a big fight, players often leave immediately. The item might be in a chest that appears after the boss dies.
- Assuming the item is in your normal inventory. Key items are often in a separate tab. If you can’t find it, check there.
Tips
- Use custom markers. If you spot a locked door but don’t have the key yet, put a custom marker on it so you can return later.
- Fast travel is your friend. Once you unlock a fast travel point, use it to quickly go back and forth between areas you’re searching.
- Turn up the sound. Some games have an audio cue (like a chime) when you’re near a hidden item. Listen carefully.
- Look up, not just around. Items can be on rooftops, balconies, or ledges. Use your climbing or flying ability to check high places.
- Take notes. If the game doesn’t have a good quest tracker, write down what you need and where you saw the locked door.
Troubleshooting
You’ve searched everywhere but can’t find the item. First, double-check your quest log—maybe you have to complete a specific objective first. If not, try talking to all NPCs again, especially those in the area where the locked door is. If you’re still stuck, look up a guide for the specific game, but only as a last resort.
The item is in a chest, but you can’t open it. Some chests require a specific skill or tool (like a lockpick). Check your skills and see if you need to level up or learn a new ability.
You think you already used the item, but the area is still locked. Some items are consumed on use, but others are not. Check your key items tab. If it’s gone, you might have used it on the wrong door. Look for other doors that match the item’s description.
The game doesn’t give you any hints. Some games are intentionally vague. In that case, explore every icon on your map, especially the ones you haven’t visited. Also, check the game’s wiki or forums—other players may have found a pattern.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I unlock new areas without finding the item?
A: Usually no. The item is a hard requirement. Some games allow you to bypass with a high-level skill or glitch, but that’s rare.
Q: Do unlock items respawn?
A: No. Key items are unique and do not respawn. If you miss one, you can usually go back and get it later, but it won’t appear again if you already picked it up.
Q: Are unlock items always in dungeons?
A: Not always. They can be in towns, on NPCs, or in hidden chests. The game usually gives a hint.
Q: What if I sell or drop the item?
A: Most games prevent you from selling or dropping key items. If you can, you might need to buy it back or reload a save.
Q: How do I know if an item is a key item?
A: Check your inventory. Key items are usually in a separate tab or have a special icon. The description often says “Quest Item” or “Key Item.”
Q: Is there a way to see all locked areas on the map?
A: Some games mark locked doors with a special icon. If not, you’ll have to explore and remember where you saw them. You can also use online maps.
Related
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