Mahou Shoujo Tellis-Chan will consist in 3 'modes' per Level: Story mode, Stealth&Action mode and Boss mode. Each mode has different Controller setups to better fit the purpose.
In any mode, the map is built in a top-down fashion and you can walk in 8-directions.
The Story Mode consists mainly in talking to NPCs and do quests, helping them and giving continuity to the Level. Here, you may get key items to activate events (much like a normal RPG), starting the narrative, which culminates in the next scene.
CONTROLLER SETUP:
D-PAD: Walk
A: Talk, Accept (text)
B: Decline (text)
Start: Menu screen (pause)
Select: N/A
This mode makes the player enter the enemy territory. Hiding behind of walls and crates, crawling inside holes in the walls, Tellis must protect herself to destroy the enemy in 5 minutes. Normal Tellis can fight enemies back with some tae kwon doug punches but they aren't that powerful.
In this mode, you may transform into a Magical Girl by pressing SELECT. Magical Tellis cannot crawl or hide, but she can perform powerful blows with her key mace, in addition to getting a nice Dash boost move. However, she may keep this transformation for only ONE minute. You can transform back to normal Tellis in order to save Magical Girl Time, but each sucessive transformation will deplete the 5 minute limit a little.
There are tiny crystals called 'Mahou Crystals' scattered around these two Modes. If you see them, be sure to grab them!
CONTROLLER SETUP [NORMAL TELLIS]:
D-PAD: Walk
A: Talk, Accept (text), Crawl
B: Decline (text), Attack
Start: Menu screen (pause)
Select: Transform to Magical Tellis
CONTROLLER SETUP [MAGICAL TELLIS]:
D-PAD: Walk
A: Talk, Accept (text), Dash boost
B: Decline (text), Attack
Start: Menu screen (pause)
Select: Transform to Normal Tellis
Against the boss, Tellis automatically transforms into Magical Tellis and there is no time limit. You CANNOT transform back to Normal Tellis when fighting. If you got Mahou Crystals, you can unleash the powerful Eyebrow Beam with SELECT button.
CONTROLLER SETUP [BOSS FIGHT]:
D-PAD: Walk
A: Talk, Accept (text), Dash boost
B: Decline (text), Attack
Start: Menu screen (pause)
Select: Eyebrow Beam (uses up one Mahou Crystal; pressing SELECT when you have none does nothing)
Tellis has a variety of moves due to her dual self.
MOVESET [NORMAL TELLIS]:
-Walk: She can walk in 8 directions. Unlocked doors open automatically when Tellis is near, and closes automatically when far from it. Locked doors won't let her pass unless she has a key, in which case the door will stay open forever.
-Crawl: Crawling is the main stealth move Tellis has. With this, she can hide in some holes in the walls, enter air ducts and lower herself. If she is spotted by an enemy, hiding in one of the safe spots for some time will distract the enemies again.
-Attack: Tellis can punch opponents when enemies get closer. But it's not very effective against hordes of enemies, so use it as last resort!
-Talk: When near an NPC, you can talk with it.
MOVESET [MAGICAL TELLIS]
-Dash boost: a small, quick hop to the direction you are facing. You can do it one at a time, and you need to wait a little to do it again. You are completely invulnerable when dashing, but you will take damage if you land on an enemy, or hazards.
-Attack: armed with a key mace, you can swing it to deal serious damage on emeies. It has long range and covers a decent area. Tapping it will swing it continuously.
-Shoot: If you press AND hold B, Tellis will swing the key mace and then shoot small energy bullets in the direction she is facing. She will keep shooting in the same direction even when moving and will only stop when you release the button. The bullets are weak, has limited range and low firing rate, but maybe just enough to hit an enemy from afar.
-Eyebrow Beam: A powerful beam that fires straight from Magical Tellis' eyebrows. Deals a lot of damage, but once fired, you cannot move, so aim it very well. Uses up one Mahou Crystal.