Solstice: The Quest for the Staff of Demnos/Tips and tricks

Moves
Here are some strategies that will allow you to get through the castle more easily and that in some points are essential to proceed:


 * When you jump, you can change direction while in the air. You can thus overcome obstacles by rotating up to 90 degrees.


 * If you hold down the A button, Shadax will jump continuously. This move is useful when you are on conveyor belts, as it will allow you to always remain in the same position.


 * You can move on the squares even with only half of Shadax's body in contact and the other half on the void. This is useful for overcoming certain abysses.


 * Sometimes you can use enemies in rooms to reach otherwise unreachable areas. By jumping over them you can for example overcome barriers or cross areas covered by spikes. Of course, however, you must first activate a Blue Potion to make yourself invulnerable, or interpose a block between Shadax and the enemy, to protect yourself.


 * When you are on a block, you can press buttons A and B at the same time, to jump and pick up the block at the same time. You can then jump by taking the block with you, to be able to use it elsewhere.


 * If you jump after picking up a block, while in the air you will have the opportunity to drop the block and take another jump, by pressing the A and B buttons simultaneously. In practice, you can double jump and overcome great distances. It is also possible to pick up the block again as you jump, thus further extending the distance, but this move is rather difficult to perform.


 * By activating a Yellow Potion, you will still be able to move blocks either by pushing or picking them up. If you pick up a block and then jump, dropping it while you are in the air, it will remain motionless below you. Given the fact that, as described above, you can also jump and collect a block at the same time, in the rooms where there are blocks, by activating a Yellow Potion, you can easily reach any position, or climb without problems to rooms above.

General advices

 * Use potions sparingly, as they are available in limited quantities and are essential for progressing through the game. Better to activate them only when strictly necessary.


 * Collect a certain potion only when your beaker is empty, or almost empty, to optimize the quantity. In fact, it is not possible to add further doses to an already full beaker, while a potion, once collected, will be lost permanently.


 * Consult the map frequently. In addition to orienting yourself better, you will have the opportunity to find out if in the room you are in there are apparently non-existent exits, unlockable with a Magic Key or by detonating a bomb, or if there are other rooms above or below.


 * Some rooms have floorless areas. While needle spikes are always deadly, these gaps never are. Jump inside without fear, to discover new areas.


 * There are many ways to beat the game, regardless of whether you want to reach 100% or not. Keep experimenting to find out which ones are easier or faster.


 * Try to remember the rooms where there are invisible squares and disappearing squares. In this way, after a while, you will no longer need the Green Potion and will overcome the pitfalls without risking dying.