How to Complete Collectibles Faster in games Completing a 100% checklist can often feel like a second job if you don't have a strategy. Whether you're hunting Riddler trophies, Korok seeds, or hidden lore notes, the key to efficiency is minimizing backtracking and maximizing your utility. Here is a roadmap to help you vacuum up collectibles in record time.
1. The "Power First" Rule The biggest mistake players make is hunting collectibles too early. Many games use Ability Gates—collectibles hidden behind powers you haven't unlocked yet (like a double jump or a
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specific gadget).
● Prioritize the Main Story: Play until you have unlocked all traversal abilities. ● Unlock the Map: Focus on "Towers" or "Map Fog" revealers first. ● Get the "Scanner" Upgrade: Almost every modern RPG has a skill that highlights items through walls (e.g., Witcher Senses, Odin's Sight, or Pulse Scans). Max this out immediately.
2. Use Interactive Maps Don't rely on the in-game map alone. The gaming community is incredibly efficient at mapping out every square inch of a world. ● MapGenie: This is the gold standard for interactive maps. You can filter by item type
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and—most importantly—mark them as "found" to track your progress in real-time.
● Companion Apps: Check if the game has an official or fan-made mobile app so you don't have to constantly pause your game.
3. Segment Your Hunting Instead of traversing the entire world for one specific type of item, clear the map by region. ● The "Zone Sweep": Pick a small district. Collect everything in that district—chests, letters, and tokens—before moving to the next. This prevents you from having to run across the same field five different times for different quest lines. ● Fast Travel Optimization: Always unlock every fast travel point in a region before you start the "sweep."
4. Strategic Comparison: Organic vs. Targeted Strategy
Best For...
Efficiency Level
Organic Hunting
First playthroughs, immersion, discovery.
Low (Lots of backtracking)
Targeted Hunting
Endgame cleanup, Platinum trophies, speed.
High (Focused and fast)
Hybrid Approach
Grabbing obvious items during story, then guide-cleaning.
Medium (Best balance)
5. Pro-Tips for Hidden Items ● Check the "Point of No Return": Use a spoiler-free guide to check if any collectibles are "Missable." Nothing wastes more time than having to restart an 80-hour game for one forgotten coin. ● Adjust Your Settings: * Brightness/Gamma: Bump it up slightly to see items tucked into dark corners. ○ Audio Cues: Many collectibles make a humming or chiming sound (like Nirnroot in Skyrim or Zubats in others). Turn your "SFX" volume up and "Music" volume down. ● Photo Mode: If you can’t reach a high ledge, open Photo Mode. You can often fly the camera around freely to see if there is actually a collectible up there before you spend 10 minutes trying to parkour your way up.
One final thought... Don't forget to check the Accessibility Options in the settings menu. Many modern games (like The Last of Us Part II or Spider-Man 2) have "High Contrast" modes or "Item Pings" specifically designed to make collectibles glow brightly, which can save you hours of squinting at the screen. Would you like me to find a specific interactive map or a "missables" guide for a game you are currently playing?
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How to Complete Collectibles Faster in games Completing a 100% checklist can often feel like a second job if you don't have a strategy. Whether you're...
