Basic Controls

Movement

     You will need to use both the Keyboard and Mouse to play Once Upon a Time. Walking is done by using the W, A, S and D keys. To turn your character, move the mouse left and right. You can also use the mouse to look around and change your view. Your position in the level is represented by an arrow on the mini-map, located in the upper right section of the screen.

Actions

     Your actions can be done using the Mouse Buttons. You can always see what actions you can use by checking the Action Indicator in the bottom right section of the screen.

     As a Hunter your Left Mouse Button will perform an Attack or Pick Up the Princess if she is close. As the Princess, this button will cast your selected spell, you can also change spells by rotating the mouse-wheel or pressing Q or E on the keyboard.

     As a Hunter, holding down the Left Mouse button will charge your weapon. Once charged, release the button to perform a special attack. Your right mouse button is your ability button. See the Characters section for each specific ability.

Navigation

The Mini-Map

     The Mini-Map is located at the top of the screen and can be very useful. It shows the layout of the level, the location of the Princess’ items, the bases of each character and your current position. Use the Mini-Map to determine where you are, what Items are still in play, and how to get to where you want to go!

     Most importantly, when the Princess Screams for help. her Icon will be revealed on the Mini-Map showing you where she is!

Finding the Princess

     Each Hunter Character has a unique way of finding the Princess. See the Characters section for each specific ability.

     These Hunting Senses however can be affected by the Princess’ spells, luring you to disaster or shutting off entirely depending on the spell. Sometimes, you will have to use intuition to find the Princess.

The Enchanted Items

     The Enchanted Items are located on each level. These items can only be collected by the Princess. Each Item will flash briefly on the Mini-Map when collected, informing the Hunters of the Princess’ current location. If the Princess gathers all three items, she wins the match.

The Mirror

The Apple

The Axe

Combat

Health and Damage

     When you are hit by an attack, you will recieve damage. Watch your Health Bar located in the bottom right corner around your Action Indicator to see how much damage you’ve recieved.

     If your health bar empties completely your character will be thwarted and you will have to begin again from your base. Be careful, the more times you are thwarted, the longer it will take for you to come back.

     The Princess cannot recieve damage or be thwarted.

Executing Combo Attacks

     Each Hunter has the ability to perform a Combo-Attack. A Combo-Attack is a series of attacks in succession of the first that continue the assault. These attacks are faster than your basic attack, deal more damage and allow for you to execute your character’s final attack.

     To perform a combo attack, you will need carefully time your button presses after your initial swing. Pay attention to the Action Indicator and watch for it to flash, when it does press the button again and you will follow through into your combo. If you click too early or too late however, you will not be able to execute the combo.

     Combos can be executed in succession up to 3 times. On your third combo attack you will release your character’s final attack. This attack does significantly more damage than the others and also has an area of effect that will knock characters back. Visit the Characters section to find out more about each character’s Final Attack.

Make an Attack

Time your Combo

and again...

Then once more to unleash your Final Attack, causing great damage and an area of effect!

Carrying the Princess

The Carrying Mini-Game

     Once the Princess has been caught a meter will appear above both the carrier and the Princess. This meter represents the struggle between the two characters. As long as the needle stays in play the Princess will be held. If the needle reaches either end of the meter the Princess will escape.

     To move the Needle the Princess will use her A and D keys to try and shift it to the left or right. The carrier will also use his A and D keys to counteract the push of the Princess and try and keep the needle in the center of the meter. However, this is a little trickier for the Carrier as the A and D keys are also his movement keys.

     As a carrier you will have to try and balance the needle in the center while steering your character back towards their base! Using the Mouse to orient your view while you are trying to hold the Princess will help you stay on course.

Hit Counters

     If the Princess is smart while she is being carried, she will be using her Scream ability to call the other characters to her rescue. Other characters can try to save the Princess by attacking the carrier.

     Each Character has a number of Hit Counters, which can be seen on the bottom part of the meter while carrying the Princess. For each successful hit taken, one counter is removed from the carrier’s meter. If all counters are removed, the carrier will drop the Princess. Certain character abilities affect these Hit Counters differently, see the Characters section for more information.