---------------------------------------------------------------------- SHIFTERS PSX2 GAME WALKTHROUGH ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FAQ version 1.0 completed 3/12/2004 Copyright 2004 by William Lumbreyer CREDITS/LEGAL This FAQ was written solely by William Lumbreyer, aka Lord Archon, and is freely distributed only at www.GameFAQS.com with all rights reserved by the author. Posting this FAQ, in whole or in part, on any other website is a violation of the author's copyright. This FAQ may not be used for any commercial purposes. CONTENTS I. FOREWARD II. SEQUENCE OF FORMS III. WALKTHROUGH A. "Saving an old friend" B. "Through the great hall" C. "Convergence" D. [Untitled - town] E. "Muq'Abar" F. "Disturbing Sekhotep" G. "Inside the Pyramid" H. "Inner Sanctum" I. "Necropolis" J. "Oasis" K. "Inner Sanctum" L. "Inside the Pyramid" M. "Hidden Sacrifice" N. "Inside the Pyramid" O. "Inner Sanctum" P. "Necropolis" Q. "The Tomb of Sekhotep" R. "Muq'Abar" S. "The Ancient Ruins" T. "Older Than Man" U. "Sinking into the Madness" V. "Terrible Histories" W. "Muq'Abar" X. "The Sultan's Palace" Y. "Uprising" Z. "The Royal Hall" AA. "Personal Space" AB. "The Sultan's Chambers" AC. "Royal Study and Foyer" AD. "The Sultan's Chambers" AE. "Royal Study and Foyer" AF. "Traitor" AG. "Muq'Abar" AH. "Repaying Old Debts" AI. "Old Town" AJ. "Relics" AK. "Infrastructure" AL. "Subterranean City" AM. "The Hermit's Dwelling" AN. "Infestation" AO. "Power Struggle" AP. "Old Town" AQ. "City in the Sky" AR. "Relics" AS. "City in the Sky" AT. "Relics" AU. "Daria's Aero-Ship" AV. "Crew Quarters" AW. "Helm Causeway" AX. "Reunion" I. FOREWARD Shifters is an action game and not a very good one at that. In comparison, as I write this section I've just finished playing Castlevania : Lament of Innocence. While I find some fault with it for its design and legacy, I consider that a decent action game. Shifters, on the other hand, has a clunky interface and is not really fun to play. While I AM playing on Easy, I find that the enemies are individually not challenging and are dangerous only in groups or if you let the bigger ones start in on a combo (chain) attack. Even so, I chose to remain on Easy mode rather than sacrifice regeneration. The hero's appearance from the intro is laughable, looking like some 3rd rate medieval Batman wannabe. The camera controls are typical of 3D games, meaning that sometimes you'll be fighting it and often you'll be unable to see what your character would as you go around bends. This FAQ/Walkthrough assumes that you have read the manual and know the controls. When I read the manual, the first question on my mind was : "Since this is a game based on shape-shifting, how do I do that?" Either I missed it completely or it just isn't in the manual. Shape shifting is handled through the spell interface. From playing through, I discovered that the shape shifting forms obtained, after the first, are not preset and you must choose. The problem here is that the levels were designed with a certain progression in mind and so choosing the wrong one may make the game much more cumbersome, if not impossible, to complete. The game defaults to Easy mode and the manual explains that on Easy you will regenerate health slowly. (Reminiscent of the old PC game Shadowcaster, but not as slow.) They don't provide details on Medium or Hard, but unless you really want the challenge, I'd recommend Easy and this is how I opted to play through the game. This FAQ presents a complete start-to-finish walkthrough. It is not the fastest path nor is it a complete exploration of all areas. After discovering how shapeshifting works, I opted to make minimal use of that aspect of the game and to only use the different forms if required to do so. Isn't that great? Playing a game emphasizing shapeshifting by avoiding shapeshifting? IMPORTANT : This game lets you save at any point. I strongly recommend saving at the start of each area. On the off chance that a big enemy gets you or you encounter a damage-bug in the game, you don't want to go back too far. For the most part, I am not making note of enemies. Those that I do note are either significant or just convenient landmarks. I am assuming that you are killing every enemy you encounter and can close with to fight using melee. Consequently, I am noting at some points when a level is gained. Your experience may vary from what is noted, so if you gain at a different point, don't worry about it. I am not distributing points when they are earned and will note when I did so in the walkthrough. Likewise, I made note of items at many points, but not all. While it appears to me that they are all fixed in the design, it is possible that some are randomly selected. Your experience may vary from mine, but don't worry much about it. Quest notation : I'm only checking the quest log when it appears that something significant has happened. At those points, I'm noting a new quest with [+] and a completed quest with [-]. Toward the end of the game, I just stopped paying attention to quests. II. SEQUENCE OF FORMS As noted earlier, there is a sequence for obtaining shapeshifting forms that is better, if not required, for completing the game. 1. Bestial (Automatic, no choice involved) 2. Genie 3. Kreegan 4. Hybrid III. WALKTHROUGH NOTE : Even if not explicitly stated, whenever I indicate using another form, it is implied that after using the special ability required, you return to normal. Read through that section to see if you need to use the ability more than once before reverting. A. "Saving an old friend" [+] Stop the Grand Inquisitor [+] Learn about your father [+] Rescue King Abelard Go right to the house for a potion and a Scroll of Thought (Mind +1). Return to the path and go straight through the door. Go either way around the wall to the main corridor. Up ahead, jump to the pool on the left for an elixir of life. Go right to the hall. Take the right path on the far end to a room with a chest containing a healing potion. You will also find a Scroll of Accomplishment (Ability pts +1) and if you jump through the tapestry you will find an item that gives you 1 form point. Return to the hall and take the left path. Break the barrel for a potion of restoration. Continue and you will see the bridge through the arches on the right collapse. Proceed forward and gain a level from killing the enemies. Get a potion of invisibility and continue around the bend. Head down the stairs and take a walk around the collapsed bridge to kill enemies. Back at the stairs, continue down. Break the barrel for a potion of speed. Continue through the door and select yes to load the next level. B. "Through the great hall" Go straight back quickly through the area that causes damage. [I think there's a bug here, so stay away from that area!] On the left side at the base of the stairs is a new weapon - the Claw of Talinthraxus. There is nothing up the stairs so ignore them and go through the door at the base of the stairs. This statue room has three exits - left, right and forward. Go right to the library for a scroll of Thought (Mind +1) and into the back room to kill a birdman. Return to the statue room and take the left door. You will get a message that says "Please help me". This is coming from a knight to your left. Approach and talk to him. Proceed to the room opposite where you entered the courtyard. On the left is a bin with wood and ahead are two furnaces. Take wood from the bin and use it on the furnaces. I mostly alternated furnaces, although it probably doesn't matter. When you run out of wood, the knight should appear in the room, but won't talk with you. Get the healing potion in the room before heading back to where the knight was originally. Now that building is burned out and just inside on the left is the "Mistress of Doom" sword. Back in the courtyard, from the entrance you can turn right and scale the white platforms to get a potion of might. Return to the statue room and go forward to the T in the red carpet. Go right for a chest with potions. Return and go left for a scroll of accomplishment (+1 ability pt). Go forward to the balcony and jump to the ledge for a potion of endurance. Drop down and climb the stairs back to the balcony and then continue up the stairs to the second floor. Head right for a monster to kill. Head left to the green shard for your first form - "Bestial". Go through the door here to another statue room. With the statue's facing as a guide, you have two directions - left and back-right. Take back-right for a scroll of brilliance (Mind +2) and two barrels. Return and go left. Kill the birdman and cross the bridge. Select yes for the next level. C. "Convergence" Begin in the statue room with paths to the left and right. Go right and gain a level. You are just through the door with a dark path to your left and a carpet path on the right. Go right and all the way to the end, entering the room on the left for a scroll of revelation (spirit +3). Return and go left. From a door on the right comes a birdman. Kill it for Armor of the Hawk. Continue on to the end of the hall. The room on the left has a scroll of endurance (body +2). The door at the end of the hall leads down to the lower level and a snowy path. Follow this to stairs up. In the small room on the right use the lever. Step back out and use the ladder. Follow the planks around the wall to a chest. Return to the planks and drop down the hole. You are now just north of the statue room. Follow the passage through the door and select yes for the next level and a cinematic. D. [Untitled - town] [-] Rescue King Abelard [+] Deliver King Abelard's message [+] Equip & Depart for Muq'Abar. Follow the road and bear left where it splits to reach the gate. Select yes for the next level and a cinematic. (Yes, we're skipping the entire town!) E. "Muq'Abar" [-] Equip & Depart for Muq'Abar. You are asked to take a camel to deal with the tomb. Go right around the corner and use the camel. F. "Disturbing Sekhotep" Go straight to the wall and around to the right. Kill two enemies and gain a level. Go up the ramps to the top and get the elixir of life. Go to the opposite end of the top level and you will see a wagon. Jump off and go straight there. Talk to the woman on the left. [+] Curse of the Gypsy [-] Curse of the Gypsy Turn around and head to the wall, killing three enemies that rise from the sands. Turn left and head to the pyramid. Go clockwise around and pick up some gold. Now go counterclockwise to the far end, where you are stopped by an invisible wall meaning the end of the map. Turn around and go staight to the excavation. Go around the right side, kill two enemies and get assorted stuff at the camp. Jump into the excavation and open the coffin. Kill the four enemies that appear. Proceed to the doorway. Go through the chamber with two enemies toward the blue flame to gain the next form. Choose Genie. Take the door on the right and say yes to enter the next area. G. "Inside the Pyramid" Go forward up the stairs and gain a level. Continue straight along the path. Open the coffin and get potions. Pass through the green mist, picking up a scroll of accomplishment (+1 ability) midway. Open the coffin and get the lich armor and elixir of life. Return through the green mist and take the left of the two paths on the right side of the room. At the door, select yes for the next area. H. "Inner Sanctum" Take the path up the stone snake. Follow the path to a larger room and gain a level. Go to the glowing portal at the far end and say yes. I. "Necropolis" Turn left and follow the path around. Kill the enemies and take the portal. J. "Oasis" Follow the only path past the locked chest and past the stairs on the right. Go to the end and open the chest. Return to the stairs and go out to the open area and across the bridge. Turn left up the ramp and then right up the ramp. Break the vases and the farther one contains a scroll of enlightenment (spirit +2). Note the pedestal to the fertility goddess. Descend the ramp and turn right. Follow this path into a larger area with a giant statue that is attacking with magic. You cannot fight it, but kill the other enemies here and get the ruby from the pool. At the far corner from where you enter is a doorway. Turn left here down the ramp into the open area. At the far end you will find a white lily. Return to the pedestal and use it for a cut scene. Receive a key. Return to the locked chest in the passageway. Open it for a cypher stone. [+] Discover the Guardians' names Return to the bridge, but turn immediately left and go out on the ledge. Jump up at the far end and take the narrow ledge out over the structure. Drop down and get the Blade of Severing. Drop down, kill everything and head to the far end where there is a grate blocking a portal. Change into a genie and use gaseous form. Pass through and select yes. K. "Inner Sanctum" Return to Alleron form and kill the enemies. Climb the ladder and cross the room. Climb the next ladder and turn around. Make the jumps across to get the goddess statue and then return. Follow the path and go straight ahead for the snake idol. Back up to a path on the right and go up another stone snake for a room with the falcon statue. Go to the right side for chests and gain a level. Go to the left side for chest and then take the door. Yes to enter the next area. L. "Inside the Pyramid" Break vases heading right and get a scroll of brilliance (mind +2). Go through the arch and around to get the knight's arm, but use the Blade of Severing (it's better). Drop down and take the passage on the left and go up the ramps. After the cut scene, use each pedestal and gain experience at each. After all three, the portal out opens. Return to the ramp room and move on to the next area. M. "Hidden Sacrifice" Go counter clockwise around for a form point. Kill all of the enemies over several waves. Get the scarab. Go clockwise to the portal. Yes to enter the next area. [+] Find and Destroy Sekhotep's Shaman. (Added sometime earlier) [-] Find and Destroy Sekhotep's Shaman. N. "Inside the Pyramid" You are back at the ramp room. Head down and straight out to the stairs room. Turn right, up the stairs, and follow the path as before to the door. O. "Inner Sanctum" Go to the door in front of the snake head and find the bars on your left. Change to a genie and use gaseous form to pass through. Pull the lever here and then follow this path to a ladder up. Pass through the portal here. P. "Necropolis" You are back at the necropolis. This time, go to the right and follow the path around to stairs down. Turn right at the bottom and go to the right through an area with another guardian statue like the one in the Oasis. Go up the slope, gain a level and turn left to the ledge with several chests. Note the one that is locked with a falcon symbol. Go counter clockwise around this level for a scroll of accomplishment (+1 ability). Go back down the slope and turn left. Head up the sloping passage and around to the fire to get the falcon key. Return to the chest and open it for the cryptic tablet and the hammer of the justicar. Keep using the blade of severing. Return to the statue and use it. Turn around and enter the portal. [-] Discover the Guardians' names Q. "The Tomb of Sekhotep" Jump down to the ground below. Kill all of the enemies and get the stuff around the edges before opening the coffin. When you open the coffin, Sekhotep appears and will wait for you in the center of the area with other enemies he summons. Kill him and then say yes when asked to auto-return to town. [+] Find and Destroy Sekhotep. (Added sometime earlier) [-] Find and Destroy Sekhotep. R. "Muq'Abar" You are directed to visit the Kreegan temple. Descend the ramp and stay to the left. You will eventually reach Paramjeet's. [+] Paramjeet's Lost Puppy Accept the quest to find the puppy, then head out and stay to the left. Enter the building with the foul smell and make your way to the top for a scroll of constitution (+3 body). Continue staying to the left. This may be random, but you should find the puppy in an ally along the way before reaching the marketplace. When you try to get the puppy, you find that you can't. Return to Paramjeet and you will be told to buy food. Go to the marketplace and buy food from the merchant under the canopy. Talk to the woman here and she will give you another quest. [+] The Thieves' Guild Go find the puppy again and get it. Return to Paramjeet for another quest. Once again, stay to the left. When you reach the area with a woman near a camel between alleys, talk to the man on the right to end this quest. [-] Paramjeet's Lost Puppy [+] Monish's Fragrance [-] Monish's Fragrance Return to Paramjeet and he gives yet another quest, but don't bother with it. [+] Muhtabi's Plans Return to the marketplace and take the camel on the right to reach the temple. (If you get confused, the men nearby say where each camel goes.) S. "The Ancient Ruins" Go straight and take the passage on the right to bars. Change to a genie and use gaseous form to pass through. Follow the passage to the Kreegan you were sent to find. Talk to him. [+] The scroll of Gavilan (from guard, not necessary w/ genie) [+] The Head of Golgantra Get the key from the table and backtrack through the bars and across the way. Use the key in the lock to open the door. Yes to enter the next area. Go forward to get your next form and select Kreegan. Gain a level. Continue along the only path, moving quickly over the bridge before it collapses. Continue to the open area. Turn right before the next bridge and go up the slope to find the holder of the lightning rod. Go back down and cross the bridge. Continue until there is a camp on the right and cobweb on the left. Go left into the passage to find the holder of the dark gem. Take the camp path now and go up slopes, using the lever to open the secret door. Climb the ladder and get stuff. Drop down and use the lever on the left. Return to the bridge and drop down to the river. Head to the cave at one end and enter it to find the lightning rod. Return to the corresponding holder and use it. Enter the new passage. Follow the only path, which is to the left. Get the dark gem and other stuff. Return to the previous map. Go to the dark gem holder and use it. Pass through the chamber to the passage and select yes for the next area. T. "Older Than Man" Follow the path forward up the stairs and note the missing stones. Go out and stay left and on the ledges to a ladder up. Get the scroll of vigor and take the other ladder down. Get the violet stone (1 of 4). Take the stairs and jump down to the start of this area. Return to the stairs and turn around. Walk on the grass on the right to the water on the right and the platform to the left of the water. Get the yellow stone (2 of 4). Turn around and go to the far end for the red stone (3 of 4). Take the ladder, open the coffin for stuff and follow the grass again just like going to the yellow stone, but staying left of the wall. Drop to the area with the small pool. Get the blue stone (4 of 4). Return to the top of the stairs and use the stones. New stairs appear. Go around to either side of the wall you are facing to reach the stairs. Go up and take the door. [+] Gems of the High Priests. [-] Gems of the High Priests. Follow the path to the area on the right. Gain a level. Go up the winding stairs and through the tunnel. Get the scroll of proficiency (+2 ability). Take the first room on the right and on to the dead end for the amulet of the wanderer from a skeleton. Return and take the other room for more stuff. Go back to the open area and head to the far end and up the slope. Climb the ladder and say yes for the next area. U. "Sinking into the Madness" Cross the winding bridge and go up the small stairs. Take the right path and climb the ladder on the left side of a bookcase like object for the hand torch. The next room has the metal flask. Cross the green mist to another room and use the basin to have the full metal flask. Use the stone to read it. In the next alcove, use the torch to have the lit hand torch. Use the lever and go down the path. Kill everything and gain a level. Walk to the altar and use it. Now take the path on the opposite end and stay to the right until you return to this room. Turn around and stay to the left to enter another special chamber. Note the place to use the kreegan bones. Go to the opposite side to the room with bars on the right. Change to genie and gaseous form to pass through. Take the right slope to the torture chamber. Change to a kreegan and view the past to get human flesh from the skeleton. Take the right side path and use the lever at the end. Enter all four cells for kreegan bones, a crystal shard and other stuff. Return to the altar and use it. Get the stuff behind the altar. Return to the other special chamber and use the kreegan bones. Get the kreegan battle armor and equip it. Return to the bars and take the path opposite them. Follow this path around to a bridge. Cross it and select yes to enter the next area. [+] Priestly Rituals [-] Priestly Rituals V. "Terrible Histories" Go straight and fall from the broken bridge. Turn left and head to the pillar ruins for a ruby. Head back and kill Golgantra. OK to return to Arb'Fa'Zul's Chamber. OK to return to town. [-] The Head of Golgantra W. "Muq'Abar" After the cut scene, talk to the nearest man and enter the door on your left. X. "The Sultan's Palace" Stay to the left and you will reach the door to the next area. Y. "Uprising" Go straight to the archway and stay to the left. Gain a level in the room with the bridge. Get a scroll of Proficiency (+2 ability) from the table at the far end. Head back out and kill more enemies. Return and take the doors to the next area. Stay to the left and jump on the plant at the end for a large key. Get the nearby amethyst. Use the iron door, kill the enemies inside and get a scroll of proficiency. Head out, stay left and pass through the tapestry. Get the scroll of wisdom and then head down the stairs to the door. Go right for a scroll of vigor (+1 body) and then take the ladder up that is near the door. Get the large key and other stuff. Walk on the ledge to use the lever and open the door. Just outside, use the lever on the left. Cross the room and then stay left to reach a hall with a red carpet leading to doors. Get the scythe of impurity and equip it. Take the doors to the next area. Z. "The Royal Hall" Follow the path to the large hall and kill all enemies. Get the inquisitor's ring. Take the doors at the end. AA. "Personal Space" Go straight to the doors across the hall. AB. "The Sultan's Chambers" Go straight to the end and turn left. Take the doors. AC. "Royal Study and Foyer" Cross the room for a form point. Exit to the next room. A genie here pulls the alarm. Jump through the tapestry to a secret area. Get the scroll of brilliance (mind +2) and head up the ramp. Pull the lever and get the message "you found a secret". Enter, kill all and get everything. Take the stairs down and kill the enemy. Get everything and take the doors out. AD. "The Sultan's Chambers" Go straight to the end. Change to a genie and use gaseous form to pass through the bars. Get everything and return to the hall. Stay to the right and gain a level at the bedroom. Get the gold key at the far end (not needed). Take the hall past the bedroom to the doors. AE. "Royal Study and Foyer" Get assorted stuff and exit the room. Turn right to the doors. AF. "Traitor" Save. Approach the boss genie and back off. Fight the lesser enemies that appear. Stay to the right to trigger a cut scene. You need to kill enemies that appear while smashing things. It appears to be a matter of patience, but you will eventually smash the "right" one and win the fight. Autocast to return to town. AG. "Muq'Abar" Equip the blade of severing, recover your health and save. AH. "Repaying Old Debts" You are now in a difficult boss battle. Approach the boss and block. After he attacks four times, counterattack and keep swinging until he flies away. Recover your health. Kill the enemy he summons. Repeat this pattern until he dies. You will automatically see a cinematic and move to the next area. [-] Stop the Grand Inquisitor [-] [All other quests are cleared out] AI. "Old Town" [+] This time it's personal [+] Get into the upper city Stay to the right until a ramp is straight ahead. Take the ramp up and stay to the left to reach to the top level. At the end of the platform, enter the building on the right. Take the ramps up to the roof. Walk on the platform to the end and get a message about restoring power to the city. Drop off the edge to the ground. Go clockwise around the building on your right. Turn to the left and approach the fire. Enter the red building with the two guard out front. Descend the stairs and take the door to the next area. [+] Restore power to Bylandria AJ. "Relics" Stay to the left until you reach the green passage. Say yes to enter the next area. AK. "Infrastructure" After a cut scene, stay to the left and kill the guards. Cross over to the tunnel and gain a level. Pass through and get your next form - Hybrid. Follow the water, staying to the right. After passing under a bridge, enter the tunnel to reach a room with large orange striped pipes. Go up the pipe on the left side of this room through the green mist. Kill the enemy at the other end and get the form point. Go up the stairs to the door. AL. "Subterranean City" Follow the path, exploring the buildings you pass. Gain a level in the tavern. When the path splits, take the closer path on the right side and head up the ramp to the church. Pull the lever in the church and drop down the hole in the floor near the entrance. Stay left along the pipe and use the valve to clear the mist. Drop down and kill the enemy to get the rare flower and a form point. Follow the path out. Return to the church and pass by to use the door to the next area. AM. "The Hermit's Dwelling" Follow the path, get the form point and enter the house to get miscellaneous stuff. Kill the enemies near the water wheel and follow the path around to the door. AN. "Infestation" Follow the path and gain a level. Pass through the green mist and use the valve to clear it. Stay to the right to get the tree sapling. Proceed in the opposite direction. You'll kill a red enemy along the way to a form point. Take the right path and use the valve. Backtrack and take the forward path where the mist has been cleared. Go through the doors. AO. "Power Struggle" Kill the enemies here and change to hybrid form. Go to the far side of the room from the entrance. Jump onto the central red pipe. Turn around and jump onto the bent pipes. Go counter clockwise around to the side. Jump to the central platform. Go clockwise around to the gear and use it. Say yes to auto-return to town. AP. "Old Town" Turn around and stay to the left to reach the ramp up. Return to where you had received the message about restoring power. Enter the tunnel to the next area. AQ. "City in the Sky" [-] Get into the upper city [-] Restore power to Bylandria [This is the last point at which I note quests] Stay left to reach the doors to the next area. AR. "Relics" Stay left to reach the inventor's home. Enter and stay left to find the inventor. Talk to the inventor for a quest. Backtrack to return to the previous area. AS. "City in the Sky" Stay left to reach the smith on the third floor of the building. Talk to the smith for a cut scene. When I did this I ended up in the store interface and had to exit out to see the conversation. Return to the inventor's area. AT. "Relics" Return to the inventor, talk and step away for a cutscene. OK to enter the next area. AU. "Daria's Aero-Ship" Follow the obvious path. Bypass the ladder and reach the room. Stay to the right to go around to a door on the opposite side. Use the panel on the left of the door to enter the next area. AV. "Crew Quarters" Follow the only path and gain a level. At the room, kill all enemies and take the stairs on the left that were just before the room. At the upper room, kill the enemy and bear left along the path, stopping in at the two rooms on the right for scrolls. This path returns to the upper room and there is one path you haven't taken so stay to the left and take it. Continue left to the room with the door and use the panel on the right side to enter the next area. AW. "Helm Causeway" Follow the only path and gain a level. At the yellow door, the path continues through a duct on the left side over some pipes. This duct opens to a larger room. Take the path on the right to the stairs up. Continue across the bridge and stop at the door to the next and final area. Ensure that your health is full and you are well equipped. I recommend the blade of severing and that you choose the accessories that add the most to offense. Throughout the game, I never used any ability points or form points. You might find it useful to use them here. When you are ready, save the game and enter the next area. AX. "Reunion" I recommend another save game on a different slot immediately upon entering. I got killed several times and you probably will too. This is the final battle and your opponent is a shapeshifter. This wouldn't be so bad, except that your enemy here will often fly away to a rooftop and restore all health. I defeated this enemy by charging and striking repeatedly with the blade of severing. When the enemy flies away, take shots with your crossbow attack. If you see the enemy healing, do the same via potions. Ignore the bombing machine - you can't fight it. Repeat as many times as needed. I eventually won by blade alone, killing the final boss before it tried to fly away. Watch the ending cinematic and the credits.