Guardian Lord is an optional score achievement at the abandoned resort. Alfred’s journal wants him to visit the arcade, but the achievement adds a stricter condition: beat the record. A low-scoring attempt can advance the story task while leaving Guardian Lord locked.
Reach the Guardian Lord cabinet
- Follow the resort route through the captain’s galley and its dream passage.
- Use the planks across the floor gap and collect the bolt cutter.
- Cut the balcony lock, descend the ladder and use the tool to open the Skull and Coins arcade.
- Pull the light lever inside so you can inspect the machines.
- Go to the cabinet at the back and start Guardian Lord.
If the entrance remains inaccessible, use the resort story route to reach the bolt cutter. Playing a different machine or photographing the arcade will not complete this score condition.
Beat the displayed record
The documented record is 1,337 points. Aim to exceed it and finish the attempt, then check the resulting score and platform unlock. Use the record displayed in your own build as the target if it differs from the release footage.
| Arcade action | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Destroy meteorites | Adds points toward the record |
| Destroy an enemy ship | The release guide reports a shield that blocks one hit |
| Release fire before overheating | Keeps the weapon available instead of holding fire continuously |
| Finish and review the score | Separates a successful run from simply clearing the journal task |
The release playthrough shows the cabinet and 1,337 target at 3:38:03. During the attempt, the player switches to repeated manual firing rather than a continuous hold to manage heat. Treat that as a demonstrated tactic, not a guarantee that one rhythm is optimal on every input device.
Use the heat meter as feedback
Watch the heat indicator while firing. Give the weapon brief pauses instead of assuming it can shoot indefinitely. Concentrate on keeping a run alive long enough to pass the score target; chasing every target while the weapon overheats can make the score requirement harder.
The game’s own arcade prompt supplies the controls for your current platform. This guide does not map PC keys to console buttons by guesswork. Keep movement and shooting responsive, then use the score result rather than the journal’s task checkmark to decide whether another attempt is needed.
The same footage records Guardian Lord at 3:41:36. That is the outcome to compare with your own platform list.
Check the resort before boarding
Once the record is complete, the resort still has separate optional tasks: Marley’s bobblehead, written clues, three vignettes, the last rest and fetch rounds. Finishing Guardian Lord does not complete those collections.
Use the resort checklist before leaving for the island. If you later replay the chapter for the arcade, check its local access prerequisites rather than assuming you begin beside an already-open machine.
Sources and verification
- Release achievement guide: 1,337 target, meteorites and ship shield.
- Release footage: cabinet, heat management and recorded unlock.
- Epic Games Store: beat the arcade high score.
This is a sourced release strategy, not a separately tested optimal arcade method. Story completion and the platform achievement are checked independently.