In Obstacles: Gems of Power, gems are primarily for increasing your score, but they also serve a crucial role in unlocking achievements, cosmetic items, and the game's true ending. They do not grant active abilities or special powers during gameplay; the "Power" in the title refers to a final, assembled artifact, not a character buff.
This guide breaks down the complete function of every gem type, separating myth from mechanics so you can focus on what matters: mastering the game's deadly courses.
The Core Function: Score and Leaderboards
At its most basic level, every gem you collect adds to your score for that level. This is the most visible function and the one that fuels the game's competitive aspect. Upon completing a stage, your score is uploaded to both global and friends-only leaderboards, turning each run into a potential bid for bragging rights. The system is more complex than just a simple tally, however.
The game features a combo multiplier that increases as you collect gems in quick succession without taking damage or falling. A flawless, high-speed run through a gem-rich section can yield exponentially more points than a slow, cautious one. This scoring system directly rewards mastery of the game's movement and level layouts. While it might seem superficial, a high score is the first step toward the deeper systems of completion.
Beyond Points: Unlocking "Perfect" Level Ratings
Simply finishing a level is one thing; mastering it is another. This is where the concept of a "Perfect" rating comes in. Achieving a "Perfect" rating on a level requires two conditions to be met simultaneously:
- Collect 100% of the gems in the level, including any hidden ones.
- Complete the level without dying a single time.
Earning a "Perfect" rating provides a massive score bonus, but more importantly, it's tied to the game's achievement and trophy system. For example, the "Crystal Clear" achievement requires you to earn a "Perfect" rating on every level within the first world, the Sunken Grotto. These ratings are the first true test of skill and the primary goal for completionists who want to do more than just see the credits roll.
A Complete Breakdown of All Gem Types
Not all gems are created equal. The world of Obstacles: Gems of Power contains three distinct tiers of gems, each with a unique purpose that goes far beyond their point value. Understanding the difference is critical for anyone aiming for 100% completion.
Obstacles: Gems of Power in-game screenshot
Blue Gems (Standard Crystals)
These are the most common collectibles you'll encounter. Scattered liberally throughout every stage, Blue Gems serve as the bread and butter of your score. They often line the main path, guiding you through the intended route of a level. Each Blue Gem is worth a base of 10 points, modified by your active combo multiplier. While individually minor, their sheer volume makes them the primary contributor to your leaderboard rank.
Red Gems (Keystone Gems)
Red Gems are significantly rarer and more valuable, worth 50 points each. Typically, you'll only find two or three in any given level. Their placement is deliberate and meaningful. Red Gems are often used as keys to unlock optional, high-risk, high-reward challenge rooms or secret pathways. For instance, in the "Clockwork Tower" level, collecting the three Red Gems activates a temporary bridge leading to a hidden Gold Gem. They do not grant a power, but their collection is a direct trigger for environmental changes, making them essential for finding the game's best-kept secrets.
Gold Gems (Fragments of Power)
This is the ultimate collectible. There is only one Gold Gem hidden in each of the game's main stages, and it is always tucked away in the most treacherous and difficult-to-reach location. These are not for points; their value is tied directly to the game's narrative and final outcome. Each Gold Gem is a piece of the titular "Gem of Power," a lost artifact central to the game's lore. Collecting them is the only way to unlock the game's true ending.
How Gems Connect to the True Ending
Obstacles: Gems of Power features two distinct endings. You can fight the final boss, Warden of the Eclipse, and get the standard ending simply by reaching the end of the game. However, a much more challenging and narratively satisfying conclusion awaits those who put in the work.
To unlock the True Ending, you must satisfy three conditions:
- Collect every single Gold Gem from all non-boss levels in the game.
- After defeating the Warden of the Eclipse for the first time, a new area in the hub world called the "Ancient Observatory" will become accessible.
- Take your collection of Gold Gems to the altar in the Observatory to assemble the complete Gem of Power. This act transforms the final boss encounter, unlocking a new, more difficult final boss phase and revealing the game's true conclusion.
This system ensures that the most dedicated players are rewarded with additional content and a deeper understanding of the story. The "power" is not something you wield, but something you restore to the world.
Obstacles: Gems of Power in-game screenshot
Do Gems Unlock Skins or Abilities?
This is a common point of confusion, and the answer is a clear yes and no. Gems are directly tied to cosmetic unlocks but have absolutely no bearing on your character's abilities.
Abilities: No. Your core moveset—jump, dash, and wall-slide—is fixed from the start. You do not unlock a double jump or a ground slam by collecting gems. The game is built around a specific set of skills, and the challenge comes from mastering them, not expanding them.
Skins: Yes. The game features a cumulative gem counter that tracks every single gem you've ever collected. Hitting certain milestones unlocks new cosmetic skins for your character, which can be equipped in the main menu. These are purely visual and offer no gameplay advantage. They are status symbols, broadcasting your dedication to the game.
| Total Gems Collected | Unlocked Skin |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | Chrome Skin |
| 2,500 | Sunken Slate Skin |
| 5,000 | Clockwork Copper Skin |
| 7,500 | Magma Skin |
| 10,000 | Celestial Skin |
This system provides a constant sense of reward for replaying levels, even after you've earned a "Perfect" rating, as every gem collected contributes to your next cosmetic unlock.
Obstacles: Gems of Power in-game screenshot
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you beat the game without collecting gems? Yes, you can reach the standard ending by simply navigating the levels and beating the bosses. However, you will be locked out of the true final boss, the true ending, all cosmetic unlocks, and nearly all achievements.
Do gems respawn when you replay a level? No. Once a gem is collected, it is permanently marked as found on the level select screen. Your total score for a level can be improved, but your collected gem count for that level cannot be re-farmed.
What's the fastest way to earn gems for cosmetic unlocks? The best method is not to farm a single level. Instead, focus on systematically achieving a "Perfect" rating on every level. The large, flat bonus of gems and points you get from this is far more efficient than replaying an easy stage over and over.
The Final Word
While they may look like simple collectibles, the gems in Obstacles: Gems of Power are the engine driving the entire endgame and completionist experience. They are cleverly woven into the scoring, achievement, and narrative systems, transforming from simple points into the keys that unlock the game's deepest secrets. They don't give you power directly, but by collecting them all, you unlock the power to see the story through to its true, brilliant end.