You’re playing Death’s Door. It’s atmospheric, the music is hauntingly beautiful, and you’re a little crow with a sword. Then you see it. A glowing, floating orb tucked behind a wall or perched on a ledge you can't quite reach. These are the Death’s Door shiny things—specifically the Soul Energy Fragments—and if you’re like me, you probably spent twenty minutes trying to roll-dodge into a wall hoping for a secret passage.
Most people call them "shiny things" because, well, they shine. But in the game's actual mechanics, they are Vitality and Magic crystals. Collect four of a specific color, and your health or magic bar grows. It’s the difference between surviving a boss's final phase and seeing that dreaded "Death" screen for the fiftieth time.
Honestly, the developers at Acid Nerve were kind of evil with how they hid these. Some are hidden in plain sight, others require you to come back hours later with an ability you don't even have yet. You've gotta be patient.
Why Death's Door Shiny Things Are So Easy to Miss
The game uses a fixed isometric perspective. This is a classic trick. By locking the camera angle, the developers can hide an entire hallway right behind a pillar or under a staircase, and you’d never know it was there unless you hugged every single wall like your life depended on it. Which, in this game, it kinda does.
Take the Lost Cemetery, for example. It’s the hub of the game, essentially. You’ll walk through it a hundred times. Yet, there are fragments hidden there that most players don't find until they’re nearly at the end of the story. Why? Because the game expects you to remember a random gap in a fence or a hookshot anchor point you saw three hours ago.
It’s all about the "metroidvania" loop. You see a shiny thing. You want the shiny thing. You realize there is a giant gap between you and the shiny thing. You leave, get the Flame Spell or the Hookshot, and eventually—hopefully—remember to go back.
The First Major Obstacle: The Flame Spell
You can't get very far in your collection quest without the Flame Spell. It’s found in the Estate of the Urn Witch. Once you have it, you can light unlit torches. This sounds simple, but it opens up a massive chunk of the map where those glowing fragments are stashed. If you see a torch that isn't burning, there is almost certainly a reward nearby.
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The Hookshot Changes Everything
If you’re frustrated because you can see a fragment across a chasm, stop. Don't throw yourself into the pit. You likely need the Hookshot, which you don't get until the Stranded Sailor region. This tool is the MVP for collectors. It allows you to zip to anchors and, more importantly, zip to enemies. Some of the most "tucked away" crystals require a combination of a precise shot and a leap of faith.
Crucial Locations for Vitality and Magic Crystals
Let's get specific. You’re looking for 16 fragments in total: 8 for health (Vitality) and 8 for Magic.
In the Estate of the Urn Witch, there’s a sneaky one. In the gardens, there’s a path hidden by a hedge. You literally just have to walk through the greenery. It feels like a glitch the first time you do it, but no, it’s intentional.
Then there’s the Overgrown Ruins. This place is a nightmare for completionists. There’s a fragment located behind a waterfall—a trope as old as time, yet we still miss it—and another that requires you to drop down from a height you didn't think was accessible.
The Stranded Sailor’s Secrets
Jefferson, the squid-like guy at the Stranded Sailor, is your best friend. He’s more than just a funny NPC. He actually provides hints about where remaining "shiny things" might be. If you talk to him, he might mention a "sparkle" in a specific region. Listen to him.
One of the toughest fragments is actually located right near his ship. You have to go under the wooden docks. The camera won't rotate, so you’re basically walking blind behind the structure. When the prompt to interact pops up, you’ve found it.
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The Difference Between Shiny Things and Seeds
Don't get these confused. You’ll also find Life Seeds and Pots. While seeds are "shiny" in their own way, they aren't the permanent upgrades. Seeds are a resource; Soul Fragments are a permanent stat boost. You want both, obviously. Seeds allow you to plant flowers in green pots which act as one-time heals.
If you're running low on seeds, check the Ceramic Manor. The breakable vases there sometimes hide them, but the actual fragments in the Manor are much harder to spot. One is hidden in the rafters. You have to climb a ladder that’s partially obscured by a bookshelf. It’s classic level design that rewards the player for being observant (or obsessive).
Tracking Your Progress Without a Map
Death’s Door doesn't give you a traditional map. It’s a bold choice. It forces you to learn the layout of the world like it's your own backyard. But it makes finding every single shiny thing a bit of a chore if you aren't taking notes.
Here is a pro tip: look at the doors in the Hall of Doors.
The doors serve as fast-travel points. If a door has a red glow or aura around it, it means you have found everything in that specific area. If it’s plain, you’ve missed something. It might be a seed, it might be a weapon, or it might be one of those elusive Soul Energy Fragments. This is the game's way of telling you "hey, stop moving on, there's a secret right under your beak."
Common Misconceptions About Collection
A lot of players think they can get everything in one sweep. You can't. The game is designed to be backtracked. Also, some people think the "shiny things" are only the collectibles listed in the menu (like the Old Wedding Ring or the Incense). While those are technically the "Shiny Things" in the inventory tab, most players searching for this term are looking for the character upgrades.
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The actual "Shiny Things" inventory items (24 in total) are mostly for lore and a secret ending. They don’t give you more HP. But if you want that 100% completion and the "true" ending, you're going to need to find the Rusty Garden Trowel and the Miniature Soul Vessel just as badly as the health crystals.
How to Max Out Your Crow
If you want to be a powerhouse, focus on the Magic crystals first. Being able to fire off more Flame Spells or Bow shots from a distance is often safer than diving into melee combat, especially during the later fights like Betty or the final boss.
- Clear the Estate first. It has some of the easiest early-game secrets.
- Abuse the Camera. Walk against every bottom wall. If the camera shifts even slightly, there’s probably a hidden path.
- Night and Day. Some things only happen or appear at night. Once you’ve beaten the main story, you can toggle the time of day at the Camp of the Free Crows. This is essential for finding the final items.
The "shiny things" in Death’s Door are more than just collectibles. They are the breadcrumbs that lead you into the deepest parts of the game's lore. Whether you’re looking for the power-up crystals or the literal "Shiny Things" inventory items, the key is to stop rushing. This isn't a game you speedrun on your first go. It's a game you savor.
Actionable Steps for Completionists
To finish your collection, start by checking the Hall of Doors. Identify which doors lack the golden/red glow. Travel to those areas specifically during the "Post-Game" state (nighttime) to access areas previously locked. Specifically, revisit the flooded path in the Overgrown Ruins once you have the Hookshot; there’s a fragment there that almost everyone misses on their first pass. Use the glow of your own spells to light up dark corners—sometimes the reflection on the wall will reveal a doorway you didn't know existed.
Once you’ve collected the final fragment, your character's stats will be capped, making the final challenges and the "True Ending" questline significantly more manageable.