How to Collect All 7 Holy Grails in Pharaoh Rebirth+

1. Game Overview

Pharaoh Rebirth+ is a 2D action-platformer with metroidvania elements in which you play as Dr. Jonathan Banfield, a rabbit-turned explorer, who must collect seven holy grails across ancient Egypt to lift a deadly curse placed on him by an unleashed evil. The game features over 80 collectible treasures, more than 10 sub-weapons, multiple difficulty modes, and a bonus Boss Rush stage to test your mastery. Its pixel art, tight controls, and quirky humor are often praised, although the frequent narrative interruptions and occasional difficulty spikes draw some criticism.

• Developer: KROBON station, Vaka Game Magazine
• Publisher: Vaka Game Magazine (with Degica involved in release)
• Release Date: March 17, 2016
• Platforms: Windows (PC)
• Genre: Action, Adventure with Metroidvania elements (2D platformer)
• Core Loop: Explore levels → fight enemies and avoid traps → collect treasures, sub-weapons and gain ability upgrades → unlock new paths in earlier stages → challenge bosses → repeat until you collect the seven holy grails

Heads-Up: One of the few truly missable items is the Shell of Tortoise, dropped by Andre after your first fight. If you complete the stage without grabbing it, it’s gone forever.

2. Core Facts Table (Quick Reference)

System	What It Does	Player Impact
Movement	Run, jump, crouch, dash and limited air control; precise platforming required	Mastering jump arcs and dash timing reduces deaths and reveals shortcuts
Primary and Sub‑weapons	Main gun with directional firing plus sub‑weapons (bombs, special shots)	Weapon choice and ammo management shape approach to rooms and bosses
Health and Lives	Finite HP per life, continues at checkpoints; 1ups and heart pickups extend runs	Conservative play and shop use enable no‑death/low‑death runs
Secrets	Hidden rooms, shortcuts, weapon upgrades and collectibles across stages	Exploration increases survivability and unlocks alternate paths and endings
Difficulty	Retro hard design with pattern‑based enemies and boss telegraphs	Learning enemy patterns and memorising rooms is essential for progress

Practical Tip: During vehicle segments, you cannot control the speed, so focus on memorizing obstacle layouts and timing your jumps.

3. Mechanics and Systems

Controls and movement

Basic actions are run, jump, crouch and fire. Many levels emphasise momentum and tight platforming rather than floaty jumps. Some weapons modify movement slightly (recoil, knockback), so practice transitions between firing and jumping to avoid unintended stalls or deaths.

Weapons and ammo

The player has a default ranged weapon and collects sub‑weapons or powerups that change projectile behaviour (spread, piercing, bombs). Sub‑weapons often have limited ammo or cooldown, so proper conservation during platforming sections ensures resources remain for minibosses and boss rooms.

Damage, lives and continues

Damage is tracked per life. When HP reaches zero you lose a life and respawn at the last checkpoint or stage start depending on progress. 1‑ups, heart pickups and shop items add lives or restore HP. Game over returns to a continue screen with varying penalties depending on mode and settings.

Quick Reminder: You can’t equip a sub-weapon and a consumable at the same time, so be mindful of what slot you’re using before switching

4. Levels, Bosses and Secrets

Stage structure

Stages are composed of themed screens with platforming puzzles, enemy waves, minibosses and a main boss. Many levels contain destructible walls, hidden alcoves and vertical shafts that conceal shops, 1‑ups and weapon upgrades; these secrets frequently require specific sub‑weapons or well‑timed jumps to reach.

Boss design and phases

Bosses are pattern‑based with predictable telegraphs. They usually run through multiple phases where attack speed or projectile count increases. Successful boss strategies depend on reading telegraphs, using the environment for cover and timing sub‑weapon use to exploit brief invulnerable windows.

Secrets and alternate routes

Look for subtle visual cues (slightly different tiles, background seams) that mark destructible walls. Secret rooms often contain heart pickups, 1‑ups or special weapon variants; mastering these routes reduces failures on later, denser enemy screens.

Pro Tip: Perform midair combos because once you land a 5-hit air combo, subsequent hits begin restoring small amounts of health and energy.

5. Items, Shops and Progression

In‑stage shops and pickups

Some stages include NPC shops where you can buy hearts, ammo or lives; prioritise hearts and 1‑ups early, then weapon upgrades once you’re comfortable with the stage layout. Pickups scattered through stages restore health or add to life totals, so route knowledge helps prioritise which shops to visit per run.

Permanent vs temporary upgrades

Pharaoh Rebirth+ includes temporary powerups per life and stage‑bound pickups; some special collectibles grant persistent benefits across continues (shortcuts unlocked, weapon variants discovered). Track which secrets yield persistent rewards and prioritise those for long‑term progress.

Progression pacing

Progress is intentionally arcade‑like. You clear screens, reach bosses and unlock subsequent stages. Hidden Grails or special keys unlock optional late‑game content. Finding them often requires revisiting earlier stages with new weapons or precision techniques.

Combat Tip: Jonathan’s ears can spin attack to intercept projectiles,. This defensive trick can turn the tide in rooms heavy with enemy fire.

6. Beginner Roadmap

This roadmap guides you through the core phases of the game, from mastering basic controls to tackling endgame challenges, in a structured, step-by-step progression.

Stage	What to Focus On	Upgrades to Get	Goals
Very Early (Start to ~1st Boss)	Get comfortable with movement Explore thoroughly for treasures & sub-weapons Learn how Jonathan’s ears work	Movement upgrades: dash, double-jump, glide, slide through narrow gaps Basic sub-weapons (range or crowd control) Stat boosts if available (health, strength)	Beat first few stages Defeat first boss Access new areas previously unreachable Gather ~10-20 treasures & a couple of sub-weapons
Mid Game (Between 1st & 4th Bosses)	Revisit earlier stages to collect missed treasures and unlock shortcuts Learn sub-weapons types & find ones that suit your play style Improve mobility to reach more secrets Gather ability upgrades that enhance combat	Passive aids: floating familiar, shield, upgrades that reduce damage or block projectiles Stronger sub-weapons Movement plus grappling hook ability to swing or reach new zones Consumables like energy and health restoratives for tougher fights	Collect more holy grails Master a few boss fights Reach mid-stages where exploration significantly requires upgraded movement Amass a variety of treasures & sub-weapons
Late Game (Final Bosses & Endgame Content)	Be fully upgraded in movement and abilities so nearly all areas are accessible Optimize sub-weapon loadout vs. bosses Use consumables strategically before big fights Explore bonus modes if available Clean up missed treasures or hidden areas	All major movement tools + grappling + glider perfected Best sub-weapons acquired High stat treasure boosts Full set of consumables and passive upgrades	Collect all 7 holy grails Defeat final bosses Unlock and clear extra stages or boss rush mode Complete full treasure collection, sub-weapons, etc. Attempt higher difficulty for replay challenge

Survival Tip: Watch out for instant-death hazards like spikes and bottomless pits. These kill you regardless of your health.

7. Advanced Strategies and Tactics

Mastering Pharaoh Rebirth+ at higher levels means moving beyond basic survival. You’ll want to optimize movement, weapon selection, ability synergy, and exploration paths. These tactics sharpen your gameplay, help you bypass traps, beat tougher bosses, and unlock secret areas. Use the following strategies to elevate your play:

1. Master combos of movement abilities
   Combine dash + double-jump + glide + ear-float to reach places faster, avoid hazards, and pull off aerial maneuvers.
2. Use sub-weapons strategically
   Equip the right sub-weapon for each situation (crowd control, aerial enemies, bosses). Some sub-weapons are missable, so prioritize exploring to find them.
3. Explore fully & backtrack with new tools
   Return to earlier stages after getting upgrades (movement, attack) to access hidden paths and treasure. Guys behind false walls or inaccessible earlier.
4. Manage SP and energy wisely
   Save your energy for sub-weapon use when it counts (boss fights or difficult enemy swarms). Don’t waste SP on weak encounters if you can avoid it.
5. Learn boss patterns & use air attacks
   Study boss attack timing and phases. Use aerial attacks: though they do less damage, chaining aerials can heal Jonathan’s health.
6. Save big consumables for critical moments
   Keep strong one-time items (like carrots that greatly boost attack/invulnerability) intact until tougher bosses or challenging sections.
7. Collect treasures that permanently boost stats (abilities first)
   Prioritize collectibles and treasures that permanently improve your stats or unlock new abilities. They make subsequent stages easier.

Resource Note: The “Map Creation Set” treasure is tied to three collection items: Feather of Isis, Papyrus, and Ink-pot.

8. Speedrunning and Time Attack Notes

The game’s screen‑based design makes segmented routing viable for speedruns. Key categories to consider are any% (fastest clear), 100% (all secrets/collectibles), and low‑death or no‑damage runs. Speedrunners prioritise memorising secret shortcuts, optimising shop stops (skip unnecessary purchases), and mastering boss phase cycles to reduce phase durations. Below are key tactics and insights to help you push your runs toward top-tier performance:

1. Exploit movement upgrades (glide, dash, double jump, grappling) early so you can shortcut through levels, skip hazards, and access alternate paths sooner.
2. Prioritize collecting stat-boost treasures that permanently enhance mobility or energy, because they speed later segments dramatically.
3. Map layouts matter: learn where save points are, the locations of sub-weapons, and secret paths so you can plan the fastest route without wasting time backtracking.
4. Use aerial attack combos not just for damage but for healing: chaining mid-air hits can restore health/energy, which reduces reliance on consumables.
5. Swap sub-weapons thoughtfully. Don’t waste energy using weak ones in easy segments but save strong ones for boss fights or crowded rooms. Energy meter is limited.
6. Memorize boss patterns and position yourself to hit weak spots quickly (e.g., behind or above boss, when it pauses). Avoid unnecessary damage, reduce time.
7. Hold off using powerful consumables until high-difficulty or late game zones to gain maximum value/time saved. If you burn them early, you’ll suffer more time loss later.

Boss Tip: Many bosses have pronounced recovery windows after special attacks, so focus on identifying safe frames to strike rather than trying to punish constantly.

Conclusion

By following our roadmap, break-downs, and walkthroughs, you’ll be well equipped to collect all seven holy grails, overcome every boss, and unearth every secret chamber. May your reflexes be sharp, your routes efficient, and your adventure in Pharaoh Rebirth+ unforgettable!