8 min · June 8, 2026 · NTE
Version 1.1 adds Sunward Island — a whole resort map outside Hethereau. It is gorgeous, dense, and easy to turn into homework if you chase every Oracle Stone on day one.
This guide is for players who want to enjoy the island while Lacrimosa’s banner is still open, not speedrun every collectible before dinner.
Step 1: Finish the story beat first
Sunward Island unlocks through the main episode Dreamwalk Corridor (after A Research in Scarlet). Stay on story until you can travel there naturally — the map makes more sense with context, and you avoid wandering without fast-travel anchors.
Once you arrive, resist opening a 100% checklist immediately. Walk the harbor, note phone booths and bureau cars, then do one anomaly commission that interests you.
Step 2: The Long Dream — eight Lacrimosa chats
The Long Dream event (through July 8) asks you to find Lacrimosa in eight locations across Hethereau and Sunward Island. The first two spots are available immediately; more unlock on a daily cadence.
Treat it like a scavenger stroll:
- Log in once a day for the new pin
- Clear the conversation, claim Annulith and training mats
- Stop — no need to cross the whole city in one session
Her Sunward Island spot is on the bureau vehicle east of the ReroRero Phone Booth — a nice excuse to revisit the island without grinding Strange Tales.
Step 3: Sunward Travelogue at your pace
Sunward Travelogue rewards progress in Strange Tales — Sunward Island. There are nine tales total, and several gate on time of day, weather, or gadgets like the Walkman.
If a tale will not trigger:
- Advance the relevant story commission first
- Try night versus day, or sunny weather
- Enter a character trial and return to refresh the map state
One tale per play session keeps the island feeling like a vacation instead of a spreadsheet.
What can wait
- Underground Circuit and What’s Baking — fun, not mandatory for story progress
- Porsche mystery boxes — pure flex unless you are saving Fons deliberately
- 100% exploration videos — use them when you want a checklist day, not on your first visit
A simple weekly rhythm
| Day | Focus |
|---|---|
| Mon–Wed | Main story + one Long Dream location |
| Thu | One Strange Tale or commission |
| Fri | Lacrimosa banner pulls or materials farm — pick one |
| Weekend | Explore freely, photo mode, Bagel SNS if you enjoy it |
Sunward Island is meant to stretch across the whole 1.1 window. Let it breathe.
Event dates based on official 1.1 notes (June–July 2026). Mechanics may receive hotfixes — verify odd quests in-game.