MIO

All Areas & Locations in The Vessel

Complete guide to every biome, landmark, and hidden location

The Vessel Overview

The Vessel is an enormous technological ark overgrown with vegetation and inhabited by rogue machines. Interconnected Metroidvania design allows multiple paths and sequence-breaking opportunities.

Area Progression Order:

  1. Dwellings (Starting area)
  2. Feral Undergrowth OR Foundations (player choice)
  3. Haven
  4. Severed Spine (hub area)
  5. Metropolis
  6. The Vaults
  7. Redacted
  8. Lab
  9. Crucible
  10. Promenade
  11. Manufactory
  12. Nexus (endgame hub)

Dwellings

Abandoned residential area, tutorial zone

Dusty chambers with broken machinery

Key Features:

  • Starting location with basic tutorial
  • First Network Gate (save point)
  • Locked doors teach ability-gating concept

Bosses:

Egis (first mandatory boss)ACAT (optional challenge boss)

Abilities Found:

Hairpin Grapple (Strange Tube)

Notable Collectibles:

  • Self-Awareness modifier (starting)
  • Analyser modifier (from RAD NPC)
  • Kinetic Thrust modifier
  • Protective Overlay modifier
  • Candle #1

Connections:

Feral Undergrowth (after Egis)Foundations (alternative path)Severed Spine (hub access)

💡 Exploration Tips:

  • Many areas require backtracking with later abilities
  • Check behind starting area with Wall Climb for secrets
  • Cracked walls indicate breakable barriers

Feral Undergrowth

Overgrown pastel biome with mechanical nature

Beautiful pink/purple vegetation, peaceful but dangerous

Key Features:

  • Most aesthetically pleasing area
  • Dense with collectibles and modifiers
  • Multiple vertical layers

Bosses:

Crow (top area, climb and enter left wall hole)Flora (mandatory for Aviaries access)Lombre (lower area)

Abilities Found:

Wall Climb/Striders (Strange Tube)Flowing Steps (optional, hidden Strange Tube)

Notable Collectibles:

  • Most modifiers of any single area (~10)
  • Sharpened Hairpin modifier
  • The Hand's Greed modifier (tree top)
  • Energy Leecher modifier
  • Glitch Trail modifier
  • +5 more...

Connections:

Dwellings (entry point)Haven (after Flora boss)Metropolis (upper exits)

💡 Exploration Tips:

  • Return with Glide ability for upper secrets
  • Tree canopy area requires Hairpin + Glide combo
  • Press Down+X to phase through leaves

Foundations

Industrial infrastructure, The Vessel's support systems

Dark, mechanical, hot environments with lava

Key Features:

  • Multiple boss encounters
  • Major transit hub (connects many areas)
  • Environmental hazards (lava, steam)

Bosses:

Calderon (interact with fake container to fall in)Atmos (jump into windy hole by elevator)Poltergates

Notable Collectibles:

  • Firefly modifier (bottom left corner)
  • Counter Measures modifier (bridge door, bottom of platforming)
  • Imperfect Focus modifier (cold air climb)
  • Defense Mechanism modifier
  • Candle #6 (Atmos arena post-fight)
  • +1 more...

Connections:

Dwellings (entry)Haven (side path)The Vaults (lower levels)Promenade (upper exits)Crucible (deep areas)

💡 Exploration Tips:

  • Sail ability essential for Atmos boss
  • Cold air blasts can boost jumps (use dodge to reset)
  • Behind lava falls require Flowing Steps ability

Haven

Sanctuary area with friendly NPCs

Safest area, lush gardens, peaceful

Key Features:

  • Multiple friendly NPCs with lore
  • Story-critical Pearl fragment location
  • Hidden optional ability

Bosses:

Nabuu (major story boss, rewards The Breath pearl)

Abilities Found:

Flowing Steps (optional, hidden Strange Tube - enables waterfall climbing)

Notable Collectibles:

  • The Breath (Pearl fragment from Nabuu)
  • Alexander's Fate modifier (near Canopy fast travel)
  • Candle #4 (tree canopy top, Sail + Hairpin)
  • Coating Components
  • NPC dialogue and lore

Connections:

Feral Undergrowth (from Flora defeat)Foundations (side path)Metropolis (upper paths)

💡 Exploration Tips:

  • Talk to all NPCs multiple times
  • Tree canopy requires advanced traversal
  • Hidden Strange Tube easy to miss

Severed Spine

Central hub area, network backbone

Technological nexus, interconnected pathways

Key Features:

  • Shii NPC location (map unlock)
  • Fast travel hub (after unlock)
  • Network Gate central station

Notable Collectibles:

  • Map unlock (donate 500 Nacre to Shii)
  • Portable map (donate 2000 more Nacre)
  • Candle #3
  • Matrix slot expansions available

Connections:

Connects to all major areasFast travel destination

💡 Exploration Tips:

  • Prioritize donating Nacre to Shii early
  • Central location for backtracking
  • Check back after story progression

Metropolis

Urban vertical cityscape

Towering structures, platforms, city ruins

Key Features:

  • Extreme vertical design
  • Wall-climbing showcase area
  • The Hand pearl fragment location

Bosses:

Friends (wall-climbing boss fight)

Notable Collectibles:

  • The Hand (Pearl fragment, requires all abilities)
  • Makeshift Recovery modifier (through wall left of sitting NPC)
  • Wild Cat modifier
  • Candle #5
  • Multiple Coating Components
  • +1 more...

Connections:

Feral Undergrowth (lower entrance)Haven (from upper areas)Lab (progression path)

💡 Exploration Tips:

  • Master Wall Climb before attempting
  • Sitting NPC marks hidden wall location
  • Extreme heights - use Glide for safe descents

The Vaults

Secure storage facilities, treasure vaults

Locked chambers, puzzle rooms, security systems

Key Features:

  • The Eye pearl fragment location
  • Slingshot Punch ability unlock
  • High concentration of Old Cores
  • Complex puzzles

Bosses:

SAWLONG (first encounter - chase sequence)Ancile and TargaSol and Vin

Abilities Found:

Slingshot Punch (break distant barriers)

Notable Collectibles:

  • The Eye (Pearl fragment, puzzle reward)
  • Split Process modifier (left of Vault access machine)
  • Splintering Dodge modifier (end of saw section)
  • High Risk Voucher modifier
  • Enhanced Dodge modifier (hidden stairs hole, post-boss)
  • +4 more...

Connections:

Foundations (from lower levels)Lab (via platforming section)The Pit (SAWLONG chase)

💡 Exploration Tips:

  • Puzzle complexity increases dramatically
  • Defragmentation modifier required for certain secrets
  • Oath to Ember modifier puzzle here (complex)

Redacted

[CORRUPTED DATA] - Mysterious glitch zone

Reality-warping, unstable geometry, surreal

Key Features:

  • Circular arena boss fight
  • Reality distortion effects
  • Hidden in plain sight collectibles

Bosses:

Vlad (360-degree arena awareness required)

Notable Collectibles:

  • Afterimage modifier (plain sight near end)
  • Sunsail modifier (top path at split)
  • Candle #8 (Vlad arena secret)
  • Coating Components
  • Old Core

Connections:

Hidden access from multiple areasRequires specific progression triggers

💡 Exploration Tips:

  • Area name literally redacted in game files
  • Afterimage modifier visible but requires careful platforming
  • Vlad fight demands 360-degree awareness

Lab

Scientific research facility

Clinical, experimental chambers, containment areas

Key Features:

  • Major story revelations
  • Two-phase boss encounter
  • Lore-heavy environment

Bosses:

Anra & Dr Halyn (two-phase boss fight)

Notable Collectibles:

  • Nacre Overload modifier (complex route: 3 fans down, Striders climb right, waterfalls, flowers - requires Flowing Steps)
  • Candle #11 (post-Anra secret room)
  • Story documents
  • Coating Components
  • Old Cores

Connections:

Metropolis (entry path)The Vaults (connector platforming section)Crucible (deeper progression)

💡 Exploration Tips:

  • Read all terminals for lore
  • Waterfall climbing requires Flowing Steps ability
  • Post-boss secret room easily missed

Crucible

Trial arena, final challenges

Combat-focused, endgame difficulty

Key Features:

  • The Blood pearl fragment location
  • Disappearing floor mechanics
  • High-tier modifiers

Bosses:

Debby (disappearing floor combat)Guardian for The Blood

Notable Collectibles:

  • The Blood (Pearl fragment)
  • High-tier modifiers
  • Candle #12 (deepest area - final candle)
  • Coating Components
  • Old Cores

Connections:

Lab (entry)Foundations (deep connection)Promenade (progression path)

💡 Exploration Tips:

  • Combat skill check area
  • Prepare with best modifiers before entering
  • Disappearing floor requires constant awareness

Promenade

Grand walkway, pre-endgame area

Majestic but decaying, final approach

Key Features:

  • Late-game challenges
  • Optional boss if not fought earlier
  • Timed platforming sections

Bosses:

Sol and Vin (if not defeated in Vaults)

Notable Collectibles:

  • Candle #7 (timed platforming)
  • Final Coating Components
  • Old Cores
  • Endgame modifiers

Connections:

Foundations (upper path)Crucible (from deep areas)Nexus (final progression)

💡 Exploration Tips:

  • Point of no return warning given
  • Ensure 100% completion before progressing
  • Timed sections require ability mastery

Nexus

Central AI core, endgame hub

Technological heart of The Vessel

Key Features:

  • Final boss arena
  • Pearl fragment convergence point
  • Mel rescue location (for Gratitude modifier)

Bosses:

The Keeper of the Heart (final boss)True Ending Boss (with all 4 pearls)Secret Ending Boss (with all 12 candles)

Notable Collectibles:

  • Gratitude modifier (save Mel, purchase for 1 Nacre Droplet)
  • Final story items
  • Endgame rewards

Connections:

Promenade (entry)All areas via fast travel (post-game)

💡 Exploration Tips:

  • Point of no return for true ending
  • Must have all 4 Pearl fragments equipped for true ending
  • Save Mel encounter triggers after Vault drawer area cleared

Aviaries

Bird sanctuary, aerial structures

Open-air platforms, bird-themed

Key Features:

  • Dodge ability location
  • Essential progression area
  • Requires Aviaries Passepartout

Abilities Found:

Dodge (Strange Tube - ESSENTIAL ABILITY)

Notable Collectibles:

  • Dodge ability unlock
  • Coating Components
  • Modifiers

Connections:

Accessible from multiple areas after Flora bossRequires Aviaries Passepartout key item

💡 Exploration Tips:

  • PRIORITY AREA: Dodge ability essential for progression
  • Flora boss must be defeated first
  • Return after getting all abilities for secrets

Bell Tower

Vertical tower, landmark structure

Towering height, grappling showcase

Key Features:

  • Glide/Sail ability location
  • Vertical climbing challenge
  • Landmark visible from multiple areas

Abilities Found:

Sail/Glide (Strange Tube at top - ESSENTIAL ABILITY)

Notable Collectibles:

  • Sail ability unlock
  • Height-gated collectibles
  • Coating Components

Connections:

Accessible from Dwellings/HavenVisible from distance

💡 Exploration Tips:

  • PRIORITY AREA: Glide essential for progression and secrets
  • Long climb requires Hairpin Grapple mastery
  • Top reward is game-changing ability