Nightshade (NES)/Walkthrough

Nightshade has many things to do and many places to go to. This guide covers only those steps necessary to complete the game, but there are many non-essential things you can try, most of which result in more humorous commentary from Nightshade. Wherever possible, items and actions are mentioned when they are first available, not when they are actually needed to progress the plot or solve a puzzle; this helps minimise backtracking.

Sutekh's dungeon
After Sutekh delivers a typically villainous speech, he leaves Nightshade to be killed by the bomb. The bomb won't actually kill you, but it will take away a large amount of health. To avoid taking damage, quickly shuffle behind the small wall to the left and wait for the bomb to explode. After it does, shuffle back and put the chair up against the candle to burn through the ropes. Pick up the candle. Head to the right.

In the next area, operate the lever (this drains the water in the previous room). Stand very close to the suit of armour to find a key. Head to the right and pick up the crowbar, then go back to the left. You may notice that the expression on the painting has changed; this happens every time you re-enter rooms with paintings. Head down.

In this room, examine the drawers of the desk on either side to acquire a flashlight (left) and screwdriver. Use the key on the statue to the right to get a coin. Just for fun, try using the crowbar on the statue. When you're ready, head up two rooms to reach a new area. The blue man here circles around and will attack you if you cross his path, but he won't notice you if you stay on the stairs or pass behind him. If you examine the painting you will find out there is something behind it. When the blue man has his back turned, rush up and operate the picture to find a secret passage.

In the next area, notice the rug. There is a hole in the center of it (which you will find out if you examine it), and if you step there you will fall through, losing one point of health. To cross safely, walk over it at the very top or very bottom. Use the screwdriver on the screws just beyond the rug. At the far end of the room, operate the lever (this lowers the water level even further). When you have done both these things, head back to the center room with the suit of armour. Examine the fallen chandelier to learn a cryptic clue: "the river spirit has eaten many secrets". Head a screen to the right and examine the grate for a great example of the game's unusual humor. The grate is wedged tight, but it is no match for your crowbar.

In the sewer, examine the skeleton to find a bone. Now that the water has been turned off completely you can go down the stairs to reach another room (if the water is still there, go back up to the room with the rug and flip the lever). Near the end of the platform in the next area is a brick with an X on it; operate it to find a secret passage. Operate the candles at the top of the platform to turn off the flames, then use the jump command to get across (attempting to cross while the flames are there will hurt you). Go up to the strange statue and use the coin in the slot to get a scarab. This isn't needed until much later in the game, but it's convenient to get it now so you don't have to backtrack. Head back to the previous area and then to the right to get out of Sutekh's dungeon.