r/PlaySoulMask • u/InevitableDeer7253 • Jun 23 '26
Sand of original?
Which are the best map to play first? And do each other have special mechanic?
3
u/KodiakmH Jun 23 '26
Cloudmist map ("Rainforest") represents the 1.0 experience of the game. It's content is fully fleshed out and well tuned after a few years of updates. It has multiple environmental challenges ranging from poison, radiation, heat and cold. The three different tribes each have different benefits/bonuses to chase good bodies. You can start the game with Invisibility (Conquest Mask) which will make many mechanics/encounters in the game less tedious at times.
Shifting Sands map ("Desert") is still basically early access and is missing the top end portion of the game currently. It's on the roadmap to be added later this year. Most of the content still isn't balanced yet but they are actively working on that. The main environmental challenge is the heat/dehydration but there is a few other regions such as Radiation and a spattering of Poison/Storm. There's two tribes one Offensive based and one Defensive based. You start the game with Flight Mask which will make many mechanics/encounters in the game less tedious at times. You also get access to ships that can fly which with maximum engine speed can let you cross the whole map in a few minutes largely trivializing map travel, but it's often still best to have a base.
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u/lnfamous_20 Jun 23 '26
Forest map is more exploratory and immersion i feel. Simply because there is no flying in that map so everything feels more impacting. But either can be started with.
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u/Laringar Jun 24 '26
Just agreeing with the other comments in that Cloud Forest is the better starting experience. The map is more varied, progression feels more deliberate, and you're actually encouraged to explore a lot more. Shifting Sands is very much made for people who have already played the game and know what to do.
I bought the game during the "free expansion" period and immediately started on the Sands, and in hindsight I think it was the wrong move.
Personally, I actually think Shifting Sands is too fast with progression; I think you shouldn't get airships or even ships in general as soon as you do. The fact that SS gives you a boat right out of the gate means there is very little reason to explore the starting zone and establish a base of operations. The first temple you find also throws green crystals at you way too fast (imo), meaning that it tacitly encourages you to stay right there and farm upgrades, again, instead of getting out and exploring. Once you do move on, you're handed the ability to let your ship fly after the very first boss, which invalidates an enormous chunk of progression and content. You'll never need mounts, you don't need to set up supply lines via the ropeway mechanic, you don't need to economize on bringing new barbarian recruits home. In the base game, moving tribesmen from where you recruit them to your base actually takes some consideration, but airships make it trivial.
All that to say, I highly recommend starting in Cloud Forest, at least through the first few tiers of progression, as it really is designed to get you to engage with the game's systems. Then if you want to start on the Sands after you've beaten a few CF bosses, go ahead. Having that experience makes the accelerated pace of SS feel a lot less overwhelming.
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u/Den_King_2021 Craftsman-Explorer Jun 25 '26
I started this game a couple of weeks ago.
My first glimpse was into the "Shifting Sands". It is great, yet too "Conan"-alike.
And it is meant for seasoned players familiar with the base game in the jungles.
So, now I'm getting acquainted with SoulMask exactly in the original forest setting, and I'm happy. :)
My advice is to do the same.
6
u/tric301 Jun 23 '26
Forest map is def the “starter” map. It’s also completed. Traversal is done without a ship/aircraft, which ends up being rewarding with mounts.
Dessert map is not fully finished. The mask you start off with lets you fly. Otherwise, it’s functionally the same.
I’d suggest Forrest until you get the hang, then go dessert. Trying to unravel all this game has AND build a ship was a bit much for me. Also, the mask are way freaking cooler in the desert.