The Ultimate Akatori Walkthrough: Master Mako’s Staff and Save Kohakujō

Master the 2D metroidvania Akatori with our comprehensive walkthrough. Learn staff abilities, boss strategies, and find every hidden cat spirit.

Navigating the vibrant but dangerous world of Kohakujō requires more than just quick reflexes; it demands a deep understanding of Mako’s mystical staff and the dual-realm mechanics. This Akatori walkthrough is designed to help players master the fluid combat and exploration that define this striking metroidvania from Contrast Games. Whether you are tackling the challenging prologue in Chapter One or exploring the depths of the Amber Plant, following a detailed Akatori walkthrough ensures you don't miss any hidden cat spirits, vital staff upgrades, or lore-heavy souvenirs.

Game Overview and Platforms

Akatori is a high-octane 2D action-platformer that follows Mako, a young monk raised in the Firebird Temple. When the world is threatened by the corrupting influence of Amber Storms, Mako must wield a staff containing a sealed red firebird to restore balance across five interconnected realms. The game is celebrated for its "pixel-perfect" art style and the unique way the protagonist uses her weapon not just for striking enemies, but for traversal.

Feature	Details
Developer	Contrast Games
Publishers	Games Harbor, Esprit Games
Protagonist	Mako (Battle Monk)
Main Weapon	Mystical Staff (Firebird)
Core Conflict	Amber Storms
Platforms	PC (Steam), PS5, Xbox Series X\|S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Future Plans	Nintendo Switch 2 Support

Understanding Mako’s Staff Abilities

The heart of any Akatori walkthrough is the staff. Unlike traditional metroidvanias where you might find various swords or bows, Mako relies entirely on her staff, which evolves as you progress. You don't just swing it; you can glide across gaps, slide under obstacles, and even pull enemies toward you.

Progression is handled through the Bells of Chaos. These shrines allow you to spend Chaos points earned from defeating enemies and exploring the world. Each bell acts as a skill tree node, unlocking new tactical options.

Essential Staff Upgrades

Ability Name	Effect	Tactical Use
Dodge and Counter	A quick dash followed by a strike.	Best for bypassing projectiles and punishing melee enemies.
Deflect	Parries incoming attacks with the staff.	Essential for boss fights like Takatsugu.
Rapid Attacks	Increases the speed of standard combos.	High DPS for staggered or immobile enemies.
Enemy Pull	Uses the firebird's energy to yank foes.	Disrupts enemy casters and brings flyers into melee range.
Shockwave	A ground-slam that deals AoE damage.	Clears out swarms of small, ground-based creatures.
Staff Return & Strike	Throw the staff and call it back for a hit.	Allows for safe, ranged chip damage.
Health Boost	Permanent increase to Mako's vitality.	Increases survivability during the late-game Amber Storms.

Regional Walkthrough: Exploring the Five Realms

Kohakujō is divided into five distinct regions, each with its own environmental hazards and enemy types. While the game offers a degree of non-linear exploration, most players will progress through the regions in a specific order based on the abilities they unlock.

1. Akatori Monastery

This is Mako’s home and serves as the tutorial area. Here, you will learn the basics of jumping, staff strikes, and the initial "Bells of Chaos" interaction. Pay attention to the background art; many hidden paths are hinted at by subtle breaks in the temple architecture.

2. Amber Castle

The castle introduces verticality. You will need to master the wall-jump and staff-glide to reach the upper battlements. This area is heavily guarded by armored sentinels that require the Deflect ability to beat efficiently.

3. Amber Mines

The mines are dark and filled with environmental traps. You will encounter the first major platforming puzzles involving moving platforms and golden chains. Community Tip: Some players have reported getting stuck in the geometry near the hanging golden chains. If you find yourself wedged in a space above a platform, try a combination of a downward strike and a roll to clip back into the playable area.

4. Amber Forest

The forest is a sprawling, lush environment where the Amber Storms are most visible. The enemies here are faster and often attack from the canopy. Use the Enemy Pull ability to keep the high-ground advantage.

5. Amber Plant

The final challenge. The Amber Plant is an industrial nightmare where you must combine every staff ability you’ve learned. The layout is a maze of conveyor belts and crushing hazards. As noted in this Akatori walkthrough, the difficulty spikes significantly here, so ensure you have maxed out your Health Boosts before entering.

Boss Strategy: Takatsugu, the Ancient Sentinel

In the Akatori: Chapter One prologue, players face off against Takatsugu. This boss serves as a skill check for the rest of the game. He has three primary phases:

The Sweep: Takatsugu swings his massive weapon in a wide arc. You must jump over this or use a perfectly timed dodge.
The Overhead Smash: A slow but devastating move. This is your best opening to use the Staff Return and Strike for safe damage.
The Amber Burst: Takatsugu releases energy waves. You must stay mobile and use the staff glide to hover over the ground-based projectiles.

For those seeking the "No Damage" achievement, player experience suggests staying close to the boss to bait his melee swings, which are easier to deflect than his ranged bursts. Winning without taking damage requires memorizing his telegraphs—specifically the way his eyes glow before a dash.

Collectibles and Secrets

A comprehensive Akatori walkthrough wouldn't be complete without mentioning the hidden extras that add depth to the world and contribute to 100% completion.

Hidden Cat Spirits: Every region contains a set number of cat spirits. These are often tucked behind "fake walls" or require advanced platforming to reach. Finding them all is required for the Platinum trophy/100% Steam achievements.
Amber Globe Souvenir: A unique collectible that provides additional lore regarding the origins of the Amber Storms.
Chaos Points: While not a "collectible" in the traditional sense, farming these from elite enemies is vital for filling out your skill tree at the Bells of Chaos.

Achievement Highlights

Achievement	Requirement	Difficulty
Master of the Staff	Unlock all staff abilities at the Bells of Chaos.	Medium (Requires grinding)
Feline Friend	Find every hidden cat spirit in a single region.	Hard (Requires exploration)
Untouchable	Defeat Takatsugu without taking any damage.	Very Hard
Souvenir Hunter	Collect the Amber Globe and all other story items.	Medium

Community Tips and Feedback

Since the release of the Chapter One demo on Steam, the community has been active in providing feedback to Contrast Games.

One common point of discussion among players is "animation lock." Some players feel that Mako is momentarily pinned in place after certain heavy staff attacks. To mitigate this, experienced players recommend "dash-canceling"—using the dodge ability immediately after a strike connects to reset Mako’s position.

Additionally, keep an eye on your save files. While the game features robust auto-save points at the Bells of Chaos, it is always wise to manually interact with a Bell before exiting the game to ensure your Chaos point progress is recorded.

Conclusion

Akatori is a testament to the enduring appeal of the metroidvania genre, blending traditional platforming with a fresh, staff-centric combat system. By using this Akatori walkthrough, you can navigate the complexities of Kohakujō, upgrade Mako to her full potential, and uncover the mysteries of the Firebird Temple. Remember to explore every corner, as the most valuable upgrades are often hidden just out of sight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find a complete Akatori walkthrough for the hidden cats?

Hidden cats are scattered across all five regions. Most are located behind breakable walls or in high-altitude areas that require the Staff Glide or Enemy Pull abilities to reach. We recommend checking the map for "unexplored" gaps in the borders, as these usually indicate a hidden room.

How do I unlock new staff abilities in Akatori?

You unlock abilities by visiting the Bells of Chaos shrines. You must spend Chaos points, which are dropped by defeated enemies or found in hidden caches throughout the world. Prioritize the "Deflect" and "Dodge and Counter" skills early on to improve your combat survivability.

Is Akatori coming to the Nintendo Switch?

Yes, Akatori is confirmed for the Nintendo Switch. Furthermore, the developers have indicated that they are planning for the game to be compatible with the "Switch 2" (the successor to the current hardware) to ensure the best possible performance for handheld players.

What should I do if I get stuck in a wall or stone?

If you encounter a geometry bug, such as getting stuck in a stone platform with golden chains, try using your staff's "Shockwave" or "Dodge" abilities. If you are completely immobilized, you may need to reload your last save from the main menu. Community reports suggest these bugs are being addressed in ongoing patches.