Atari Lynx Shadow of the Beast

Walkthrough

Keep in mind when you read this that Beast is an arcade game, thus just knowing how to do this may not be enough. Quick reflexes may be necessary. Also, my strategy is not perfect in places. If you know how to improve my technique (ie, you don't get hit as much) let me know (tazzzzz@eecs.umich.edu).

Outside
Start by running to the left. Watch for the bats that will fly down. (I've only made it through here unscathed a couple times, normally I just run back to the right a little bit and duck when I hear the bats shriek). There are two different sets of bats, and each set of bats will attack in two different smaller groups. As soon as you get past the second set of bats, there are three metal traps in the ground. All you need to do is jump and land between the sets of "jaws". Enter the tree (there is nothing of value further to the left).

In the tree, part one
The small head at the bottom of the staircase will shoot at you when you get a certain distance from it (something you're bound to discover on your own!). Climb down the ladder and head to the left. The game progresses pretty linearly here. You've got a few platforms to jump and a few monsters to dispose of, but there's really only one way to go. When you get past the green guys with the swords (watch out for those spikes overhead!), climb up the ladder and head to the right (passing the next ladder which is heading up) until you come to the ladder that goes down. A bit more jumping on platforms and you'll come to a blue total health restoring potion. Things progress a bit more and you will encounter these golden flying things. When you are at this point, you will climb down a ladder and find a silvery (but with red center) circular device stuffed in a corner to the right (somewhat near a big skeleton lodged in the wall). This is a teleporter that will take you back a ways. Don't use it yet. Instead, head to the left, ignoring the ladder heading down. Next, you will come to the weird eagle thing that is holding a blue crystal globe. Time his fire-breathing activities and get up close to him when he's not scorching the air in your vicinity. Ducking will avoid the fire. Then, when he's not breathing fire, punch the globe (it will flash each time you hit it). I counted eleven hits for it to be finished. You will then have the blue globe in your inventory (you'll get to use it soon enough). Head back to the right the way you came, and then take the ladder down. You will climb down a jog in the ladders, and then head left instead of down. To the left, you will find an area with a key. I've found it easiest to jump off of the moving platform into that section and then getting onto the up-down moving platform without the resident blue guy seeing me. (Basically don't walk to the left at all after jumping off of that moving platform. Just hop straight onto the up-down platform). Now, head back to the right. If you need health, climb down that ladder that I told you not to climb down before and head to the left. All the way left is a blue complete health restoration potion.

I have a hint for this whole section. I found it much quicker to avoid catching all the ropes and jumping on all the platforms by simply falling off the ledges. The health potions were conveniently spaced so that I could easily survive these falls (watch out for spikes though!) and leave this area with full health. Climb back up the ladders and hop in the teleporter.

After teleporting, hit option 1 and select the blue globe. The blue globe gives you a nifty missile weapon. Head left and climb up the ladder. When you move to the right, a wall will rise sealing you from escape! There is a lone spike "bush" in the middle of this little battlefield. Stand with the Beast's right foot just about touching the left edge of the bush. When the monster rises up, duck. You should be below his shots. Note that before he rises up, he will fire one shot. Try to jump over them, but they don't do too much damage so don't worry too much. I comfortably get four shots in before I have to duck. It takes fifteen shots total (don't waste these shots, I've found them useful later). Hit option 1 and select "exit" in order to go back to regular punches. Off to the right, you enter the second half of the tree and a new save point!

In the tree, part two
As you run to the right, you will run past a machine with a lever, gears and a chain coming out of the top. Ignore that for the moment, and jump over the spikes. After you climb down the ladder, there will be some snakes coming out of the floor and spitting at you. Just run up to them and punch them after they spit. After the second and third snakes a bird thing will fly down and you will need to duck. Don't take the downward ladder after the snakes. Instead, pick up the gear and head back to the machine. Once there, hit option 1 and select the gear. Assuming you're standing close to the machine, the gear will go in place. Punch the lever and a platform will lower. Climb onto the platform and punch the lever again to go up. Go to the right and get the torch hanging from a support pole. Head left, beat up some green guys and flip the switch on the wall. Climb up the ladder you past when you went to flip the switch, and head left past the bouncing eyeballs(!?). When the dragon stops breathing fire, run, pick up the key and stand next to him and wait out his next attack. After that, run back to the right and past the eyeballs. If you need health, head to the right and pick up the blue potion. Otherwise, head back down the ladder and the "elevator". Go past the snakes again, and then head downward. Head right and punch the lever. Then turn back and cross the platform that had been extended across what used to be a gap. Punch the lever you find off to the left and then go back to the right and downward (gadzooks! They've got you running back and forth!). Run left after getting to the bottom of the ladder and use the moving platforms to take you further left. You will find a blue "glove" suspended in midair. If it's surrounded by electricity, you forgot to flip the switch in the hallway underneath those bouncing eyeballs. As you head back right past the ladder, a couple of those red batlike things will fly down. Try to hit them, because now is a good time to conserve health. You've got a ways to go before a refill. Continue on downward and avoid the obstacles (I have really got much to comment on here. Just practice your timing around the spikes and try not to get hit.) When you get to the ghosts, if you head right instead of down the ladder to the left you can avoid having to deal with these rocket engines that are mysteriously igniting. However, only avoid those engines if you have the health to take a fall into spikes (and you must also be confident of your ability to get rid of the dragon). Hit option 1 and select the yellow glove. You can't kill the dragon without it. If you watch the timing, you will notice that the spike will drop to the floor and the dragon will stop breathing fire. That is when you need to jump across. You can comfortably punch the dragon five times before you need to jump back across when the spike is down. It takes a total of thirty hits to blast this guy. Use the yellow key you picked up to leave the tree area through the well.

Topside once again
All right! So we're out of that hellhole of a tree. Well, there's still a bunch of ickyness to deal with up top. First, stand in front of the cannon. After the nifty little green dude lights the fuse (wait for it to be burning), punch the cannon. The little guy gets blasted and leaves a handy gun behind. Now, head back to the right eliminating the baddies that you encounter. The columns that look like piles of rock contain potentially useful items (there is only one evil column in the game, and that comes near the end). The first two you come across have health bonuses. The last one contains a large ball. Push the ball along with you as you avoid the spikes and use it to plug up a hole from which some green and red balls are popping. When you get to the funky pterodactyl statue, don't be alarmed. This is actually a pretty easy monster. He does a bit of damage if he hits you, so don't let him. Punch the statue five times to let the monster out, and then punch him three times to take back the freedom you just gave him. I personally hate the spider forest that comes next, but at least there is health afterwards. To get past each spider, wait until the spike on the right has just come down, and walk over until you are directly to the left of the spider. Punch the spider, wait until just before it hits the ground, and jump into the air. Let the spider go under you, and move slightly to the right to land where the spider had been, between the spikes. Wait until the spike on the right has just come down, and walk to the right. The second time you repeat this process there will be a spider running along the ground which you must jump over. The eyeballs aren't too bad once you see the holes that you can rest in. Duck as the green guy flies overhead, and then punch him as he comes back around but lower. When the flying dragon drops the winged bomb, punch the bomb before it explodes and it will eradicate the annoying swarm of insects. I think you can handle the rest of the obstacles until you get to the castle.

In the castle
Go left, past the ladder, and get rid of the green, hoppy guys. Flip the switch. Go back and climb the ladder. You can only punch wooden barrels; the silver balls and indestructible. There are two wooden barrels followed by a metal ball, and this repeats itself indefinitely. Hit the first wooden barrel, and use the ladder up to the next level as a means to dodge the second barrel and the metal ball. When you get to the floor where the barrels are dropping down, run to the left and flip the switch. Climb the ladder to the top floor, and punch the chests to the right for health, except be forewarned that the very last chest contains a green guy who shoots arrows, and the second to last chest can be stood on to avoid the arrows. Kill the green guy by punching the chest before getting the last bit of health. Run to the right, avoid axes and flying dragons. Pick up the wrench. Climb down the first ladder you come to. As you run to the right, watch for green dudes in the floor which throw knives at you. To avoid getting hit by the axes that come down, stand right underneath whence they come, and they'll fly over you from each side. After defeating the three big green mouths, run and jump across the gap. You need to jump at the last second to make it. Punch the little head in the wall three times, and jump onto the chandelier as it lowers. Wait for the spider to go up to run underneath it. More axes. Some spiders need to be punched once or twice before they'll go up. After climbing down the ladders, you'll be back near the entrance. Go right. You might want to consider using some of your remaining shots from the blue ball to kill the red bouncy blobs and the bats after them. The gates here will only be open if you've flipped both switches prior to getting here. Climb down the ladder; don't go all the way to the left. Some health is on the right then. Go left, wait for the metal ball to pass, go left, climb the ladder, climb into the pit, and duck. Wait for the ball, go left, and climb down the ladder. Pick up the spare bullets, and climb down the next ladder. Run to the right until you see the gargoyles; then run back to the left, and punch the button on the wall. There's another green guy in the floor after the axes. Use the wrench to get past the electric field. Climb up the ladder, go to the left, and flip the switch. Arm yourself with the gun, climb down the other ladder, and go to the right. Get in close, and just shoot. And keep shooting. You shouldn't need to refill the gun. Use the blue key to unlock the door. You are now outside.

Outside the castle
Go right. Punch the tombstones for health. In the second set of tombstones, the second tombstone contains a ghost instead of health. Kill everything. To kill the final guy, watch his shot pattern. Get in close and jump and kick the face in the middle of his body.

Congratulations, you won.

30 helpful hints to get you through

1. Searching for the laser gun (actually, it really shoots projectiles), stand to the left of the cannon and hit it when the operator lights it.
2. Are those pesky pressure traps on the ground before the door to the underground getting you every time? Just look at how they are laid out and you will see the safe way.
3. Be careful of the viper upon moving forward in the beginning of the underground.
4. After you get the healing potion from the bottom of the underground (the hallway with the snakes!), turn on your blue sphere weapon. Then, as you start to run back down the hallway, fire the weapon once. It will kill the oncoming snake, clearing the path.
5. The first boss's weak spot is it's head. Fire twice quickly and then jump or you'll get hit!
6. Past the spitting cobras and the flying hell bats, lies a stairway going down. Next to the stairway is a cog (you know, a little wheel with teeth on it). Use this cog in the machine up above that you ran past when entering the level. Something interesting will happen!
7. Be sure to hit the switch to off when at the top of the second underground or you will never be able to get past the electricity shield protecting a valuable object below.
8. Stand between the big bee's bomb drops and you will be fine.
9. Having trouble with those freakin ceiling rats in the hallway? Well, all they need is a jump-kick in their faces to make them go away.
10. Those rocket engines are a real problem, but moving carefully after each one fires will get you past them. Beware of the ghost after them, though!
11. The Red Dragon might look fierce and dangerous, and it is too! But, some punches on its nose with your gloved hand will persuade it to leave, leaving the way open to freedom.
12. Move carefully through the vanishing eye swarm or you will be hit. There is a pattern, so look for it!
13. Shoot the hanging spiders from the trees and then jump over them as they come at you. Moving as quickly as you can through this section is the best way to travel.
14. Duck and run when the gargoyle attacks from the air. Then nail 'em when it's in front of you.
15. Do not worry about the flying Red Dragon, just worry about it's bombs. Keep clear of them. The only way through the swarm of tiny dragonflies (dragon babies with wings, not the insects!) is to run as fast as you can through them. You can't kill them in the swarm.
16. Run as fast as you can through the wave of spikes. Do not stop or they will hit you. They cause more damage than the dragonflies that are coming at you. They can be destroyed with a blue sphere blasts or a projectile gun hit.
17. You might think the castle is a somewhat safe haven upon seeing it, but don't be deceived. The local residents do not like visitors and will stone and arrow you if you do not keep an eye open for attack.
18. Look out for the hover-bike riding demons to the right of the door upon entering the castle. They drop some nasty electro-bombs.
19. There's a switch down the left corridor upon entering the castle. Turn it off. But, move slowly down the hallway or some very nasty, mutant toads will attack you.
20. Above the left hallway is a series of five corridors connected by stairways. This description might sound like they are easy to navigate. Wrong! Coming down the corridors is a barrage of barrels and cannon balls. No matter how you try, you will be hit by at least five (if you use the ladders to dodge some). When you reach the top, do not forget to turn off the flick-switch to the left.
21. Low on energy after the barrel run, do not worry, they're are some treasure chests to the right with some hearts in them. One problem, they are guarded by three mutant toads (which are easy to loose by going back down the stairway halfway. They will jump over you and off the edge of the corridor). At the end of the corridor is a wrench. But to get to it, you will have to go through a group of three small flying gargoyles and two ax-throwing creatures that hide in the paneling of the ceiling.
22. Watch out for the floor crossbow demons on your way down from the top of the castle. They appear out of flooring and shoot at you. Also, be weary of the dripping wax from the chandelier, it hurts.
23. If your where I think you are and are following these hints, you should be at a hole in the stone floor with a chandelier over it and a small ledge to the right of the hole. Want to know how to get down? In the right wall is a punch switch. It looks like a small door knocker (that's what it looks like to me!). Jump over to it and punch it three times and watch what happens.
24. Another important thing to look out for is two-way ax arcs. The ceiling demons will throw one barrage of eight ax's in arcs down at you. Do not be alarmed, though. If you happen to be standing in the middle of the arcs, you will not be hit.
25. Be careful of the giant green birds upon traveling the first hallway in the lower part of the castle.
26. Are a swarm of gargoyles' giving you a hard time? Do not worry, the three-way crossbow is here! When you see the swarm heading your way, turn back to the left and run to the left wall of the corridor. On the wall is another punch switch. Well, you know what to do with it. Hit it!!
27. Wait a minute! Haven't we come across an electricity field like this before? Yeah, we did, but last time, it was easily turned off by a flick-switch. Not this time, there wasn't any flick-switches that turned it off. So, what else might you use? Look in your inventory for the wrench. Yeah, that's the ticket!
28. Flick that switch to your right or you will be doomed.
29. Hey, it's the boss. It's a three-headed fire-spitting dragon with a vunerable spot on it's tail. You know what to do don't ya'. Shoot his tail, while keeping away from his fireballs. There is a pattern to the fireballs, so you can avoid them. But, they're some daring people who get right up next to the bottom head and repeatedly shoot the tail, even though they are being harmed by the lower head's fireballs. It still seems to pay off though.
30. The rest of the game is for you to figure out. Can't give away the ending, but you'll like the challenge if you've made it this far!