Introduction to the Loop Backtracking Gameplay How to Play Loop Backtracking

Guihuan is a primarily 42-day time loop-centered open-world RPG, where players take on the role of "Returners," collecting information and optimizing strategies in each cycle to ultimately rewrite their fate. The gameplay of Guihuan revolves around the core mechanism of time loops, involving aspects such as reset patterns, event logging, and resource accumulation. This guide will provide a detailed analysis of how to efficiently utilize the time loop mechanism, including NPC trajectory tracking, dungeon reset strategies, and other practical techniques to help players gain an advantage in the cycles.

The game's time loop operates on a 42-day cycle, after which the world resets at a fixed point, but character level, equipment, and main story progress are preserved. This means that players can repeatedly challenge high-difficulty dungeons, accumulating rare materials without worrying about losing progress. For example, in the Shadowy Forest dungeon, the high-level forging stones dropped by the boss can be reacquired after each reset, used for enhancing key equipment.

Important NPCs (such as bar owner Ryan) have fixed daily routes, allowing players to manually record their movements. Ryan is at the dock trading intelligence from 14:00-16:00 every day, and waiting there in advance can trigger the hidden quest "Smuggler's Secret Letter." Certain tragic events involving NPCs (like the blacksmith apprentice being attacked) can be intervened in the next cycle, changing the outcome and earning special rewards.

Dungeons (such as the "Abyss Corridor") refresh after each cycle, allowing players to target specific materials. It is recommended to prioritize challenging the third layer of the Abyss Corridor, where defeating the boss Daphne guarantees the drop of Void Crystals, used to unlock advanced spirit skills. If the first attempt fails, the lineup can be adjusted in the next cycle (such as using a fire attribute spirit to counter the boss).

The Fate Dice determines critical plot branches. It is suggested to retain at least 3 dice rolls between days 20-30. When deciding whether to save the merchant or the guard, rolling a 6 or above can unlock the hidden option "Persuade Both to Cease Hostilities," granting double affinity rewards. A low roll (1-3) may lead to escalated conflict, so it's advisable to save the game in advance to avoid risks.

The first 10 days of each cycle should focus on advancing the main story, unlocking key plot points (such as lifting the seal on the "Goddess Altar"). The remaining time can be spent on side quests, like the "Wandering Poet" quest chain, with the final reward, "Memory Shards," permanently boosting character attributes. If time is short, lower-yield events can be skipped and completed in the next cycle.

The time loop gameplay gives players an informational advantage. By accurately recording NPC actions and efficiently farming dungeons, players can accumulate winning chips in each cycle. The key lies in quickly progressing through the main story, filling in side quests, and planning resources, avoiding ineffective repetition. Mastering these techniques will allow even high-difficulty endings to be achieved steadily, truly becoming a master of the time loop.