- All gems goal: The demo's giant overworld basement level contains 20 gems to collect and place.
- Activation squares: A floor square turns blue only when both adjacent powerups are activated, so pair gems wisely.
- Push mechanic: You can push blocks and even gems while looking at them, clearing paths to trapped gems.
- Avoid softlocks: Bad pushes can trap you; plan a route before shoving blocks into corners.
- Reward: Placing all 20 gems reveals major story fragments about the Pinthians and Lurca's origins.
All Gems Overview: The Basement Overworld Level
The gem hunt in Order of the Sinking Star centers on a massive overworld puzzle level split between an upstairs area and a sprawling basement. Your objective is straightforward: gather all 20 gems scattered across both floors, then return to the central pedestal to place them. The catch is that most gems are locked behind block-pushing logic, color-coded powerups, and activation squares that only respond when the right combination of nearby powers is online.
The demo is substantial, featuring roughly 105 puzzle levels, and this gem level is widely considered its centerpiece challenge.
Video Highlights:
- Full basement run ending with all 20 gems collected
- How activation squares indicate which powerups pair together
- Block and gem pushing techniques to free trapped gems
- Story payoff after placing all gems at the pedestal
Watch the gem counter as you collect. Gems found in the basement typically run through the mid-teens (12 through 15 and beyond), while the final stragglers hide upstairs. If your count stalls at 18 or 19, sweep the opposite floor before assuming you missed one nearby.
Core Mechanics You Must Master
Every gem puzzle in this level relies on a handful of interacting systems. Understanding them prevents wasted pushes and softlocks.
Block Pushing
- Push blocks by facing them and moving forward
- Pushes move everything touching the block in a chain
- Some blocks can be reset to their start position
Gem Pushing
- Gems themselves are pushable objects
- Pushing a gem into another section can trap it — and you
- Use pushes to dislodge gems jammed into walls
Activation Squares
- Squares show which powerups pair together
- They turn blue once both linked powers are active
- Placing a gem on an unlinked square is wasted effort
Color-coded powerups add another layer. The red blocker must be removed with the red power before certain teleporters work, while a yellow power destroys blocks — but only if you can route it into position. A green passage lets you slip through tight corridors, and an amber power moves you two spaces at a time, which is essential for reaching distant ledges.
| Mechanic | What It Does | Gem Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Block push | Shoves blocks and chains touching objects | Frees gems buried behind block walls |
| Gem push | Moves gems directly | Repositions gems stuck in pits |
| Yellow power | Destroys blocks | Clears permanent obstructions |
| Red power | Removes red blockers | Unlocks teleporter access |
| Amber power | Moves you two spaces | Reaches far ledges and platforms |
| Portal delete | Removes placed portals | Opens sealed gem chambers |
If you push blocks carelessly in the overworld, you may need to undo your entire sequence of pushes to recover. Before any push, confirm you can still exit the current chamber and that the block is not sealing your only route back.
Step-by-Step: Collecting All 20 Gems
Clear the Easy Basement Gems First
Sweep the open basement floor and grab every unguarded gem. Note which gems sit behind blocks, red barriers, or inactive squares — these become your puzzle targets. Expect three or more trapped gems at this stage.
Learn the Activation Square Pairs
Stand on each square and observe its indicators. A square will not activate until both of its linked powerups have gems placed on the correct sides. Skip any square whose partner gem is still trapped elsewhere — placing prematurely is pointless.
Push Blocks to Open Corridors
Use facing-pushes to shove blocking walls aside. Remember that a single push can move a whole chain of touching blocks, letting you clear stacked obstructions in one move and reach the hidden rooms behind them.
Free the Trapped Gems
For gems wedged into dead ends, push the obstructing object out, then push again to fully clear the path. If a green passage or two-space movement power is required, activate it in a section that has its own activation point — some chambers lack local activation pedestals.
Finish Upstairs and Place All Gems
With basement powers unlocked, return upstairs. New pushing abilities open previously sealed routes, including pushing a block down to release an upper gem. Once your counter hits 20, return to the pedestal and place every gem to trigger the story sequence.
Placing all 20 gems triggers a book-reading scene revealing that both you and the Pinthians hold fragments of a buried discovery — and that the egg-shaped object connects directly to where Lurca came from. The gems even display faint faces when seated in the pedestal.
Tricky Gem Locations and Solutions
Several gems in this level stump players for extended stretches. Here are the notable problem gems and the logic behind each.
| Gem Location | Obstacle | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Dead-end corridor (basement) | Green passage with no exit | Enter, push the block aside, exit through the alternate opening |
| Gem trapped beside green block | Block must sit to the right | Push everything systematically in one direction, then destroy the mover block |
| Top-left / top-middle ledges | No direct route | Push a block into position, climb it, grab gem from above |
| Sealed portal chamber | Portal needs activation elsewhere | Carry activation to a section with a pedestal, return, delete the portal |
| Gem stuck under a block (upstairs) | Block pushed wrong way | Push the block down to release the gem beneath |
When a chamber only allows swapping one gem for another, you are in a loop. The escape is always to exit and re-enter from a different facing so you can push the blocking object away from outside the room rather than inside it.
After the gems, the demo opens the neighboring mirror aisles, where mirrored reflections only work while you stand in a source mirror, and blocks can be split into multiple copies to build bridges. The gem level's pushing skills carry over directly.
Completion Checklist
All Gems Run — Key Milestones:
- Sweep basement floor for unguarded gems
- Identify all activation square pairs before placing gems
- Free every block-trapped gem using chain pushes
- Clear the sealed portal chamber via off-site activation
- Return upstairs and push the block down for the upper gem
- Reach 20 gems and place them all at the pedestal
Note that the demo blocks further territory with a signpost: "Territory beyond this point is not accessible in the demo." The full game is advertised for release later this year, and a charming in-game NPC even asks you to add it to your wishlist.
FAQ
Q: How many gems are in the Order of the Sinking Star gem level?
There are 20 gems total, split between the basement and the upper floor of the giant overworld level. Most are found in the basement, with the last few requiring abilities unlocked there before you can grab them upstairs.
Q: What do the colored squares on the floor mean?
Each square links two nearby powerup pedestals. The square activates — turning blue — only when both linked powerups have gems placed correctly. It is essentially a hint system telling you which gems must be paired together.
Q: Can I get stuck by pushing blocks incorrectly?
Yes. Pushing a block into a corner or trapping yourself in a chamber can force you to undo a long chain of moves. Always confirm an exit route exists before pushing, and remember some blocks can be reset to their original positions.
Q: What do I get for collecting all gems?
Placing all 20 gems in the pedestal triggers a story scene about the Pinthians, the buried pocket of discovery, and Lurca's origins — plus it unlocks further demo areas such as the mirror aisles.