Gloomwood Beginner’s Guide – Tips Every New Hunter Should Know Before Entering the City

Gloomwood doesn’t ease you in. It doesn’t pat you on the back, offer a warm cup of tea, or explain why everyone in town looks like they’ve been awake for six days straight. Instead, it drops you into a cursed Victorian nightmare and politely suggests you figure things out before something unpleasant finds you first.

If you’re new to Gloomwood, this guide will help you survive your first hours, understand the game’s immersive‑sim quirks, and avoid the classic rookie mistakes (like sprinting into a room full of enemies because you forgot crouching exists).

Let’s get you started on the right foot — preferably one that isn’t about to step on broken glass.

1. Embrace the Shadows — Stealth Is Your Best Friend

Gloomwood is not a run‑and‑gun shooter. If you try to play it like one, the city will chew you up and spit you out somewhere unpleasant.

Key stealth basics:

• Crouch often. You’re quieter, harder to spot, and generally less likely to die.
• Stick to dark corners. Enemies struggle to see you in low light.
• Watch enemy patterns. Guards patrol in loops — learn them, then slip through the gaps.
• Use bottles. They’re not glamorous, but they’re perfect for distractions.

If you’re unsure whether you should sneak or fight, the answer is almost always “sneak.”

2. Sound Matters More Than You Think

Gloomwood treats sound like a weapon — for you and your enemies.

Things that make noise:

• Running
• Jumping
• Breaking glass
• Firing guns
• Landing from high places
• Opening doors too aggressively

If you hear something moving nearby, assume it heard you too. Move slowly, listen carefully, and treat every creak like a warning.

3. Conserve Ammo Like Your Life Depends on It (Because It Does)

Ammo in Gloomwood is precious. You’re not meant to blast your way through every encounter.

Smart ammo habits:

• Use melee when possible.
• Save firearms for emergencies or tough enemies.
• Search every drawer, crate, and corpse.
• Don’t waste bullets on enemies you can sneak past.

Think of ammo as a last resort, not a lifestyle.

4. Explore Every Nook — The City Rewards Curiosity

Gloomwood’s levels are full of hidden paths, secret rooms, and loot stashes. If something looks suspicious — a cracked wall, a loose board, a vent — investigate it.

You’ll often find:

• Ammo
• Healing items
• Keys
• Shortcuts
• Lore notes
• New weapons

Exploration isn’t optional; it’s how you stay alive.

5. Learn the Map’s Verticality

Gloomwood loves vertical level design. Rooftops, balconies, ladders, and scaffolding often provide safer routes than the streets below.

Why going up helps:

• Fewer enemies
• Better sightlines
• More escape options
• Hidden loot

If you’re stuck, look up. The solution is often above you.

6. Use Doors Like a Professional Sneak

Doors in Gloomwood aren’t just doors — they’re tools.

Door tricks:

• Peek first. Slowly opening a door lets you scout without exposing yourself.
• Close doors behind you. It hides your trail and muffles sound.
• Use doors as cover. Leaning around a doorframe is safer than standing in the open.

Treat every doorway like a tactical opportunity.

7. Manage Your Inventory Wisely

Your inventory isn’t bottomless, and clutter will get you killed.

Inventory tips:

• Keep healing items accessible.
• Don’t hoard junk — prioritize ammo and tools.
• Organize items so you can grab what you need quickly.

A tidy inventory is a happy inventory.

8. Save Often — But Not Recklessly

Gloomwood uses phonographs as save points. They’re generous, but not everywhere.

Save smart:

• Save before entering a new district.
• Save after clearing a tough encounter.
• Don’t save in the middle of a disaster you can’t escape.

A good save can undo a bad decision. A bad save can trap you forever.

9. Experiment — The Game Rewards Creativity

Gloomwood is an immersive sim at heart. If you think something might work, try it.

Examples:

• Lure enemies into traps.
• Use noise to separate groups.
• Combine tools in unexpected ways.
• Approach encounters from multiple angles.

There’s rarely one “correct” solution.

10. Don’t Rush — Gloomwood Is Best Played Slowly

This isn’t a game that rewards speed. Take your time, observe your surroundings, and enjoy the eerie atmosphere. The city is full of secrets, and rushing only guarantees you’ll miss them — or die discovering them the hard way.