2.1 Secret Fortress

~ Stage 1 ~

Toss one of the Links up to the higher ledge and grab the Water Rod. Use the Water Rod to create a burst of water and have the other two Links grab the nearby Water Rods for themselves. Continue scaling the area using the water rods, defeating a number of buzz blobs along the way. At the top of the area, use the water rod to defeat the two moblins and have each Link step on one of the floor switches. Walk over to the gateway and continue onward to the next stage.

~ Stage 2 ~

Use the water rod to create a series of water platforms. Hit the orbs to create an opening in the center of the stage and head northward. The flames that block your way can be blocked off by using the water rod. Do so and quickly run by. There are three floor switches in this area, two of which are underneath flames. Use the water rod to block off the flames and have each Link step on a floor switch.

This next area can be a bit tricky. There are two Guruguru Bars that circle around, covering much of the area. You will need to use the Water Rod to create a water pathway across the gap to the north; time it correctly to avoid the flames. I also suggest using a totem so you only have to do it once instead of three times. This one took me a few tries, so don’t get frustrated if you mess up.

~ Stage 3 ~

Use the water rod and head northward along the higher platforms. You will once again need to use the water rod multiple times. When you reach the bomb flowers, you will see an orb on each side of the screen. Toss a bomb so that both orbs activate, causing the large door ahead to open.

This next part is significantly easier in multi-player mode and can be quite frustrating if you are playing by yourself. You need to use the water a few times to create water platforms to stand on. Then you need to grab the bomb flower and quickly toss it at the blocks north of here. You’ll have to do this twice to clear the pathway. You can also toss a bomb from Link to Link, but I find that to be quite challenging as well. This will likely take you a few tries but hang in there.

~ Stage 4 ~

Have all three Links stand on the floor switch, which will trigger several moblins and a strange flower looking enemy known as a Keeleon to appear. You can reach the moblins using the water rod. If you hit the Keeleon creature enough times it will be defeated and more ramps will appear, making it easier to maneuver around.

2.2 Abyss of Agony

~ Stage 1 ~

Have all three Links drop down into the water and swim to the center platform. Pickup the bow and the two water rods. Use the arrows to shoot all the nearby spikes so they don’t bother you in the future. There are four orbs in this area and they all need to be hit. The orb on the right can be hit right away by using a two-tier totem and shooting an arrow. Then use the water rod to reach the northeast corner and shoot the second orb.

Make your way to the west side of the stage and the third orb can be struck with an arrow. Now make your way to the northwest corner of the stage, defeating the octorok along the way. Create a three tier totem and hit the fourth orb here. You can make your way to the southwest corner of the stage to find a treasure chest if you’d like. Then make your way way towards the gateway.

~ Stage 2 ~

Use the water rod to scale up the rocks. At the northwest part of the stage there are a series of octoroks and a few buzz blobs. Use the bow to keep your distance and shoot the enemies with some arrows. After all the enemies have been done away with, enter the gateway to continue onward to the next stage.

~ Stage 3 ~

Use the water and climb up to the left to find a water wheel. Have one of the heroes with the water rod stay behind, while the other heroes step onto the wooden platform. Use the water rod on the right side of the water wheel, causing a nearby platform to move to the left. Use your arrows to shoot the two crystal orbs that you see, which will allow you to scale the area. Have the Link with arrows carry one of the water rod heroes all the way up to the water wheel further up. Have the third Link follow suit to reunite them at the water wheel.

Send two heroes onto the wooden platform to the right and use the water wheel to spin the massive platform. Climb back onto the land above and use the water wheel here to get the third Link across. From here, you can hit a nearby orb to create a massive elevator, which you can drop down to reach a treasure chest. Afterward, totem up, and scale the remainder of the level to reach the gateway.

~ Stage 4 ~

The fourth area has another boss battle with a giant buzz blob; this one known as the Electric Blob Queen. This time, the battle will take place near an area of water. The first phase is the same as before; use your arrows to shoot the buzz blob four times. The Blob will dive back into the water and you’ll need to use the water rod to bring it back up to the surface.

During the second phase the buzz blob will be standing up a bit, so totem up two-tiers high and hit him four more times with arrows. Once again use the water rod to bring it back to the surface. Now totem up three-tiers high and hit it with four more arrows. Yet again, bring it back up to the surface with the water rod. In this last phase, the buzz blob is too tall, even for a three tier totem. Toss two Links up to the higher ledge at the northeast corner of the stage. From there, totem up two-tiers high and shoot four more arrows to defeat the buzz blob.

2.3 Cove of Transition

~ Stage 1 ~

The Cove of Transition serves almost like a tutorial on using the Gripshot. Grab the gripshot and grip over to the pegs to the right to reunite the three heroes. Continue gripping eastward across the gap and then create a totem three-tiers tall. Switch to the middle hero and toss the top hero up to the higher wooden ledge. Drop down below. The other two Links can then grip on over the gap by latching onto the Link that is on the other side.

Toss a Link across the gap and then grip on over. Create a three-tier totem and grip over to the peg on the right. Drop down and have the other two Links grip on over. Step into the gateway to reach the next stage.

~ Stage 2 ~

This second area has a few tektites and Water Tektites. The middle platform will occasionally drop as the water level rises. Swim over to one of the safer areas on the sides of the stage and use your gripshot to pull over the smaller water tektites. Slash away with your sword. The tektites can also be stunned with the gripshot, but will still need to be slashed at with your sword. Swim over to the gateway to continue onward.

~ Stage 3 ~

Defeat the water tektite and have one of the Links swim over to the small square platform that has a green rupee on it. Another Link can stand on the wooden platform at the south end of the stage. Face northward and use the gripshot on the peg to pull the platform over. Pull the platform to the right, and then grip over to the Link that is standing there to pull the platform northward. Pull the platform right and then have all three Links totem up. Use the middle Link and toss the top Link upward. Step on the switch to raise the water level. Swim north and enter the gateway.

~ Stage 4 ~

There is a brand new enemy in this stage known as a Gyorm and it requires the gripshot to defeat. Use the gripshot to pull the creature out of its shell. If you are standing close to the enemy it will sneak back in, so the key here is to grip it while standing from a distance. Slash away with your sword to defeat the Gyorm. Defeat all the enemies to complete the level.

2.4 Water Temple

~ Stage 1 ~

Grab the two gripshots from the sides of the level and the head to the west part of the stage with both Links. Stand on the lower platform and toss one of the links up to the higher ledge. Then swim to the southeast part of the room and climb the steps heading north. Use the gripshot to grapple over to the fence to the north. These two Links are now able to hit two crystal orbs that are near the center of the stage. Do so in a timely manner and a platform will appear.

Stand on the platform that has appeared and aim northward. Grip onto the peg to turn the wheel, causing the water level to rise. With the third hero, grab the Water Rod from the center of the room. Use the Water Rod to reach the north end of the stage and step into the gateway.

~ Stage 2 ~

Drop down and have all three Links stand on the floor switch. Water will fill the room and a number of enemies will appear. You can step onto the two pillars of land and attack the enemies from there. You can also stand at the top-right pillar and totem up three-tiers high. Use the gripshot to pull the lever, lowering the water level and making it easier to defeat the enemies.

The gate at the northwest corner will open up. Swim on over and use the water rod to get higher up. There is a lever above but it is too high, even if you totem up. You’ll need to use the water rod, and then quickly totem up three-stories high. Use the griping to turn the wheel, raising the water level all the way up. Step into the gateway to progress to the next stage.

~ Stage 3 ~

Use the gripshot against the grate to the north to flip to the other side. Step on the two switches, causing the door to open up and allowing the third hero to make his way through. Use a combination of the water rod and gripshot at the west end of the room to pull the peg, causing the wheel to turn and water to fill up in the room.

Defeat the nearby enemy and you’ll notice there is another grating to the north. You can’t gripshot through it as it is too high. You’ll have to first use the water rod to climb higher and then use the gripshot to grapple your way through. Send both Links with the gripshot through to the north side of the stage.

Open up the nearby treasure chest for some rupees. Jump onto the wooden platform and grapple over to the right to pull the platform along. Toss one of the Links up to the higher ledge and step on the switch to lower the bars. Open the treasure chest to get a small key. Jump back onto the wooden platform and bring it down and over to the right with the gripshot. You can’t quite move any further on the platform just yet. Instead, return to the first wheel and totem two-tiers up. Use the gripshot to pull the peg again, this time lowering the water level. With the water level lowered, you can now ride the wooden platform to the locked door and then progress to the gateway.

~ Stage 4 ~

The battle with Arrghus is very reminiscent of prior encounters with him in other games. During the first phase, use the gripshot to pull the eyes away from Arrghus and then slash away at them with your sword. Repeat this process until all the eyes are gone. Drop down to the lower level and you’ll need to repeat the same process. This time, however, the eyes are higher up and you can’t just gripshot them. Instead, you’ll need to fully totem up and then you can pull the eyes. After grabbing the the eye, toss the heroes aside and strike it with your sword. Repeat this process until all the eyes surrounding Arrghus have been defeated.

During the next phase, fully totem up and use the gripshot to head Arrghus’ eye. This will stun the boss so quickly jump down and slash away with your sword. Repeat this process until Arrghus has been defeated.