- GemCraft Legacy Collection level list covers three games: The Forgotten, Chapter Zero, and Labyrinth
- Labyrinth uses a giant map-progression system with battle settings, unlike the linear earlier chapters
- Battle settings and traits change difficulty more than map order, so read field conditions first
- Endurance modes unlock on cleared fields and demand scalable mana-positive builds
- 385 achievements spread across all three games reward map completion and special objectives
Level List Overview: How the Collection Is Organized
The GemCraft Legacy Collection bundles three classic tower defense games on Steam: GemCraft: The Forgotten, GemCraft Chapter Zero: Gem of Eternity, and GemCraft Labyrinth. Each game structures its levels differently, so understanding the level list format is the first step toward planning your progression across the collection's 100+ hours of content.
Video Highlights:
- The official trailer covers all three included games and their progression systems
- Over 100 hours of maps, skills, and challenges across the collection
- Gem forging, map exploration, and achievement hunting are the core pillars
- Quality-of-life improvements include fast-forward, hotkeys, and performance upgrades
The three level structures break down as follows:
| Game | Level Format | Progression Style | Difficulty Curve |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Forgotten | Linear episode maps | Story-driven chapters | Gentle, tutorial-friendly |
| Chapter Zero | Semi-open map grid | Explore and unlock connected fields | Moderate, mana management focused |
| Labyrinth | Giant labyrinth map | Battle settings, wizard level, endurance | Steep, modifier-driven |
Start with The Forgotten to learn gem combining and orb defense, then move to Chapter Zero for the expanded skill system, and finish with Labyrinth for the deepest map and battle-setting progression.
The Forgotten: Chapter-by-Chapter Level Breakdown
The Forgotten teaches the core loop: place gems in towers and traps, combine them for higher grades, defend your Orb, and manage mana between waves. Its levels are grouped into themed episodes, each introducing a new enemy type or gem color.
| Episode | Focus | New Mechanics | Key Enemy Threat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening chapters | Basic towers and gems | Gem placing, combining | Slow swarms |
| Mid chapters | Traps and mana control | Trap building, mana economy | Fast runners |
| Later chapters | Hybrid gems | Mixed-color combining | Armored units |
| Final chapters | Boss exposure | Amplifiers, spell rotation | High-health bosses |
Key level-list tips for this game:
- Prioritize one central kill zone before expanding to secondary towers
- Save mana reserves for emergency gem drops when a wave breaks through
- Replay earlier fields to grind skill points when later maps stall your progress
- Watch for unlock conditions on hidden fields that sit off the main episode route
Spending all mana on early gem upgrades leaves nothing for emergency reinforcements. Always keep a reserve before calling the next wave.
Chapter Zero and Labyrinth: Map Progression Systems
Chapter Zero replaces strict linearity with a semi-open grid of connected battlefields, while Labyrinth pushes further with a massive labyrinth map where battle settings determine the actual challenge level of each field.
Chapter Zero Fields
- Connected map grid with branching routes
- Gem of Eternity as the campaign goal
- Skill points scale with field performance
Labyrinth Core Map
- Giant labyrinth with hundreds of fields
- Battle settings customize every fight
- Wizard levels unlock permanent progression
Endurance Fields
- Infinite wave scaling on cleared maps
- Mana-positive builds are essential
- Rewards map mastery with amulets and XP
Labyrinth's battle settings are the heart of its level list. Each field can be tuned with modifiers that raise enemy health, armor, speed, or swarm size in exchange for better rewards:
| Battle Setting Type | Effect on Level | Reward Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Base settings | Standard wave count and difficulty | Normal XP and amulets |
| Enhanced waves | More waves, tougher composition | Higher XP and score multipliers |
| Endurance toggle | Endless waves until defeat | Best long-term XP farming |
| Trait stacking | Enemy buffs like armor and haste | Amulet progress and score |
A mid-tier Labyrinth field with heavy trait stacking can be harder than a late map on base settings. Judge fields by their modifiers, not their position on the map.
How to Clear Any Level: A Five-Step Method
This method works across all three games in the collection, whether you are on the first Forgotten episode or a heavily modded Labyrinth endurance run.
Read the Field Before Building
Check path shape, available building sockets, enemy types, and any active battle settings. Identify the longest shared path segment where multiple towers can overlap fire.
Build One Central Kill Zone
Place your primary damage gem in a tower with maximum path exposure. Add a trap on a repeated-contact segment for slowing or poison effects.
Establish Mana Income
Use mana-stealing gems or mana-focused skills early so every wave grows your economy. Avoid overbuilding before income covers gem combining costs.
Layer Control and Damage
Add armor-tearing or slowing gems once enemy composition demands them. Match effects to threats: slowing for fast units, armor tearing for tanks, chain hit for swarms.
Time Waves and Spells Deliberately
Call waves early only when your kill zone can handle the overlap. Rotate control spells with burst spells rather than spending every charge at once.
Before attempting endurance on any field, respec skills toward mana efficiency, sustained damage scaling, and crowd control. Generalist early-game builds rarely survive deep endurance waves.
Level Completion Checklist and FAQ
Use this checklist to track full level-list completion across the collection before chasing the hardest achievements.
Level List Completion Goals:
- Clear every episode map in The Forgotten
- Unlock all connected fields in Chapter Zero
- Open and clear the core Labyrinth map sections
- Complete battle amulet objectives on cleared fields
- Survive at least one endurance run per game
Q: How many levels are in the GemCraft Legacy Collection?
The collection spans three games with distinct level systems: The Forgotten's linear episode maps, Chapter Zero's semi-open field grid, and Labyrinth's giant labyrinth map with hundreds of fields and battle-setting variations. Total content exceeds 100 hours.
Q: Should I play the games in release order?
Yes. The Forgotten teaches core mechanics, Chapter Zero expands skills and map progression, and Labyrinth adds battle settings and endurance. Playing in order makes the GemCraft Legacy Collection level list progression much smoother.
Q: What are battle settings in Labyrinth levels?
Battle settings are modifiers you apply to each field before starting, increasing wave count, enemy traits, or enabling endurance mode. They raise difficulty in exchange for better XP, score, and amulet rewards.
Q: Why am I stuck on a level even with high-grade gems?
Usually the build is mismatched to the threat. If enemies survive due to armor, add armor-tearing gems. If fast enemies escape, add slowing effects. If mana runs dry, invest in mana skills before more damage.