Order matters
Run badges in this order: You Played, Escapist, Voyager, Collector, Secret Finder, Drought. You Played is auto-awarded; the rest chain off the previous one.
Escapist and Voyager
Escapist fires when you leave the starting hotel. Voyager fires when you cross the Frozen Canyon bridge. Both are free and unlock the rest of the open-world route.
Collector and Drought
Collector requires all five hidden gems in any order; Drought requires draining every water source, which means you need the Double Water gamepass plus a better-than-basic tool.