How to grapple in Journey to the Savage Planet

Learn what Grapple Seeds do and how to grapple by unlocking the Proton Tether in Journey to the Savage Planet.

Leaping your way around the alien world is one of the best parts of Journey to the Savage Planet, especially once you unlock a few of the game’s basic upgrades like the grapple Proton Tether. You’ll spot and likely scan grapple spots throughout the opening hour or two of the game, but find you’re unable to attach to them until you’ve unlocked the Proton Tether. Fear not, brave space adventurer, in this guide we’ll explain exactly how to grapple in Journey to the Savage Planet.

How to grapple in Journey to the Savage Planet

How to get the proton tether in Journey to the Savage Planet
You'll need the Proton Tether to grapple in Journey to the Savage Planet.
© Typhoon Studios

Before you can grapple, you first need to get the grapple upgrade. Unlike many of the other items in the game, even if you’ve got grapple seeds, you won’t be able to grapple without the core upgrade. Earning the grapple upgrade is one of the Primary missions in Journey to the Savage Planet, taking place after you get the first jump boosters. 

If you try to scale the tower initially, you’ll reach a point at which you can’t progress because grapple points hinder you from going any further. Your AI will inform you that you need a special substance to progress, adding the “A Higher Calling” quest to your log. Yup, that means you need to uncover a shrine with the grapple gunk before returning to your Javelin to buy the upgrade. 

There are no maps in the game, so instead we suggest opening your Journal and tracking the Primary quest to get upgrades, then following the shield marker on the compass at the top of your screen. You’ll be asked to head to a cave in the northeast of the first grassy zone, past an enemy which scans around with its eye. 

Sneak past his view and into the cave, then progress down, following the shield icon until you reach the shrine. Grab the sample, make your way out of the cave and then use a teleporter to return to the Javelin. Go to the 3D printer and, provided you have the right resources, you can get the Proton Tether and will now be able to grapple.

To grapple in Journey to the Savage Planet, simply find a grapple point and look at it while reasonably close. You’ll see a small grapple icon pop up and can press L1 on PS4 or LB on Xbox One to swing up to the ledge. You can do this in midair too, meaning you can jump to grapple points that are out of your reach.

How to use Grapple Seeds in Journey to the Savage Planet

How to use Grapple Seeds in Journey to the Savage Planet
We don't advise using Grapple Seeds to take on this boss in Journey to the Savage Planet.
© Typhoon Studios

Grapple Seeds are a utility item in Journey to the Savage Planet. They don’t let you grapple alone, so make sure you’ve unlocked the Proton Tether first. Grapple Seeds are used when you encounter a wall coated in grapple plant rings. They should look like pinkish circles growing all over the wall. Throw a Grapple Seed at this surface and it will create a grapple plant where it lands. You can then use the Proton Tether to jump to this point and hold yourself there. You’ll usually need to tether up, then turn around and throw another Grapple Seed to a higher point, slowly building a path higher and higher. 

Now that you have the Proton Tether and know how to grapple in Journey to the Savage Planet, you’ve opened up a huge amount more of the world to explore. Before you head out into the wilds, consider checking out some of our other guides for the game, including how to use the Live Sampler in Journey to the Savage Planet. You are a researcher after all.

Associate Editor

Henry Stenhouse serves an eternal punishment as the Associate Editor of AllGamers. He spent his younger life studying the laws of physics, even going so far as to complete a PhD in the subject before video games stole his soul. Confess your love of Super Smash Bros. via email at henry@moonrock.biz, or catch him on Twitter.

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