Agent 8 must complete the level with limited ink, and they start with only half an ink tank. There are two optional vaults which both contain an ink refill which can be used in order to destroy reinforced crates and use propeller lifts to reach the final goal. In addition, a third ink refill is available if the player climbs some nearby wooden crates. With proper technique, this refill can be obtained in three shots or two blasts and allow Agent 8 to complete the level without opening a vault with either the .96 Gal or the Luna Blaster.
The keys required to open the vaults are located to the left and right after defeating the enemies in each trial. The area to the left contains several Octotroopers and a Shielded Octotrooper. The area on the right has two Octocopters and an Octobomber. Access to either side requires using ink to hit the Inkrail for that side. Defeating either side will lead to four Squid Rings appearing on the Inkrail path.
For the path to the goal, the player will encounter three sets of reinforced crates with each crate taking thirteen shots from the .96 Gal to break and four shots from the Luna Blaster. Of the first set of boxes, the left awards ten Power Eggs, while the right one holds armor. The second set has five Power Eggs to the left and ten on the right. The third set is optional if the player uses the propeller platform properly and awards nothing when destroyed.
After getting past the three sets of reinforced crates, the player will come to a small arena with a glass wall, two inflatable barriers, and a Sanitized Octoling using a Brella. Entering the arena will prevent Agent 8 from picking up any remaining refills. Once the Sanitized Octoling is beaten, a Launchpad will appear to take the player to the final part of the level.
In the final section, the player will land on another platform with a propeller. Agent 8 will need to use it to get over the wall that leads to the goal. The platform with the goal has four optional switches. Hitting a switch flips a panel and reveals a hidden object. Two panels hide an enemy, one hides a Balloon Fish, and the fourth hides a Power Egg pack. A larger platform below the goal platform can be used to view the items and enemies, with an inkable Ride rail returning Agent 8 to the upper area.
Tips
Agent 8 must be conservative with their ink, making most of the three full restores they have. At most, the player can safely fire the .96 Gal nineteen times initially and 39 times with a refill. For the Luna Blaster, this limit is five shots initially and eleven with a refill. For both weapons, Agent 8 can be risky and fire their last shot off, provided that they pick up a refill or touch the goal within approximately three seconds. This gives a maximum of 140 shots for the .96 Gal and 42 shots for the Luna Blaster.
Gallery
The only checkpoint.
The Elite Octoling fought partway through with Marina dialogue.
Add/complete Japanese, French (NoA and NoE), Italian, Russian and Spanish (NoE) translations edit
Language
Name
Meaning
Japanese
ギリインク クリアできたら じまんげに イキーリ・ドヤ川 限られたインクで ゴールせよ! Giriinku kuria dekitara jiman-ge ni ikīri doya kawa kagira reta inku de gōru seyo!
Dutch
Meer zit er niet in Navulstaren Bereik het doel met een beperkte voorraad inkt!
There isn't more in it Refill gazing[note 1] Reach the goal with a limited supply of ink!
French (NOE)
Non à la surconsommation ! Rétro Valley Atteins l'arrivée avec l'encre fournie !
No to over-consumption! Retro Valley Reach the finish line with the ink provided!
German
Echte Helden sparen Tinte! Tintsparstetten Erreiche das Ziel mit begrenztem Tintenvorrat!
Real heroes save up ink! Ink-save-up-Stetten[note 2] Reach the goal with limited ink supply!
Italian
L'inchiostro non si spreca! Valle Silicio Raggiungi il traguardo con una quantità limitata di inchiostro!
Ink must not be wasted! Silicon Valley Reach the finish line with a limited amount of ink!
Russian
...Не дай себе засохнуть! Пустобакино Доберись до цели — краска ограничена! ...Ne day sebe zasokhnut'! Pustobakino Doberis' do tseli — kraska ogranichena!
...Don't let yourself dry! Empty-Tank Reach the goal - the ink is limited!
Spanish (NOA)
Prohibido desperdiciar tinta Ciudad del Cable Alcanza la meta con la tinta asignada.
Wasting ink is prohibited Wire City Reach the goal with the assigned ink.
Spanish (NOE)
Prohibido desperdiciar tinta Ciudad del Cable Alcanza la meta con la tinta asignada.
Wasting ink is prohibited Wire City Reach the goal with the assigned ink.
Translation notes
↑"Navulstaren" comes from "navullen" (to refill) and "staren" (to gaze), and probably also comes from "navelstaren" (navel-gazing).
↑"Stetten" is a suffix found in certain German city and district names.