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B.05: Using the Map
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The map is an essential part of success in XML2. Without the map, stages 
can become confusing and impossible to navigate. With the map, you can 
always see in which direction your next objective lies. The stages are very 
linear, but some of them can twist around enough to leave you confused 
unless you can see where you are and where you are going on your map.

The map contains a number of useful markers to help you find your way 
through each stage:

A blue X in a circle marks an Xtraction point.

A red X marks a stage objective. It might be a control panel that needs to 
be operated, a person who needs to be rescued or a device that needs to be 
destroyed. Your primary goal in each stage is to go to each red X and do 
whatever needs to be done. Then you head for the exit and the next stage.

A yellow double-arrow in a half-circle marks the exits from the area. Once 
all objectives have been cleared, find and use the exit.

A yellow exclamation mark identifies an NPC you need to talk to.

Red arrows show the direction of objectives too far away to display on the 
map. Yellow arrows show the direction of NPCs too far away to display on 
the map.

The map comes in two sizes: large and small. It can also be hidden. Unlike 
XML1, the large map shows no more area than the small map--it just shows 
the same area overlaid on the entire screen. Thus, on the PC, at least, the 
small map works just fine. The small map is the default when you start the 
game. To change the map size, use the Map toggle key or the Map option in 
the game menu.

There's also an auto-map, available from the game menu. This is a map of 
the entire area (whether you've cleared it or not) and can be scrolled and 
rotated around the screen (the game is paused while the auto-map is on). 
Use this to get a better idea of the direction in which you need to go to 
reach your objectives.