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Cryptic Castle (クリプティックキャッスル Kuriputikku Kyassuru?) is one of the third Stages in Shadow the Hedgehog. It is reached by completing the Dark mission of either Glyphic Canyon or Digital Circuit.

Description[]

Story[]

In the cutscene before the level, the President of the United Federation receives a call telling him about a data attack on the government mainframe - one perpetrated by Shadow himself if the player has completed the Digital Circuit. Shadow teleports from or is teleported onto a large computer-like object where Shadow catches a glimpse of Dr. Eggman. Wondering if the doctor is the right person to interrogate about his origins and the Black Arms, Shadow races off to follow him. Shadow immediately runs into Amy Rose, who reports that Cream and Cheese have become lost somewhere in the castle. Finding the rabbit and her Chao, who have both somehow managed to get themselves stuck behind false walls, serves as the Hero mission. Alternatively, Shadow can acquiesce to the demands of Eggman's Drone and light five giant lanterns, which are in some unexplained way a part of the Doctor's defense strategy. The player can choose to chase Eggman, help Amy find Cream and Cheese, or help Eggman fend off the Black Arms.

Regardless as to which path Shadow chooses, he and Amy exit the stage to find the grey Chaos Emerald abandoned on a battlement. The black hedgehog picks it up, only to be waylaid by Eggman in person, riding his newest killing machine, the Egg Breaker. While Shadow protests that he has no quarrel, Eggman isn't about to let a Chaos Emerald get snatched right from under his nose and launches into battle with Shadow.

Gameplay[]

Weapons[]

The following weapons can be found in Cryptic Castle:

Secret Key locations[]

  1. After using the first balloon, grind up the rail to the top portion of the castle. Walk along the roof to the left to get the Key.
  2. After the fifth Save Point, the player will need to use the Spin Dash to get to another part of the castle and end up near a balloon. Before the balloon, the player must backtrack a bit, and at the end, kill the Black Arms soldier to open the box containing the Key.
  3. After the fifth Save Point, there will be a door by lightning torches. Walk down the hall, break the wall to get into a larger room, and break the wall on the right to reveal a chamber containing the Key.
  4. If the player follows the route to complete the Dark mission, they will end up riding a Black Hawk. The Key is located in mid-air on the right side.
  5. The final Key is in the Giant Walker chase section. It is on the left rail just before the player is launched to the goal.

Behind the Secret Door is a shortcut through the Stage and a Magnetic Barrier.

Overview[]

Story Mode[]

Dark mission[]

Guide Mission Objective
Shadow the Hedgehog - Dark Mission - Dr. Eggman Light all giant lanterns! Light the 5 giant lanterns.

Shooting Chao or Cream will boost the dark gauge.

Ranking[]
Rank Score[1]
A Rank (Mini) (Shadow the Hedgehog) ≥ 14,000
B Rank (Mini) (Shadow the Hedgehog) 12,000
C Rank (Mini) (Shadow the Hedgehog) 8,000
D Rank (Mini) (Shadow the Hedgehog) 5,000
E Rank (Mini) (Shadow the Hedgehog) < 5,000
  • Ending quote: "I'm one step closer to getting the truth from the Doctor. I will not let him interfere with my plans."

Normal mission[]

Guide Mission Objective
Escape the mysterious castle! Reach the Goal Ring.
Ranking[]
Rank Score[1]
A Rank (Mini) (Shadow the Hedgehog) ≥ 18,000
B Rank (Mini) (Shadow the Hedgehog) 16,000
C Rank (Mini) (Shadow the Hedgehog) 12,000
D Rank (Mini) (Shadow the Hedgehog) 8,000
E Rank (Mini) (Shadow the Hedgehog) < 8,000
  • Ending quote: "The Doctor's gotta be this way!"

Hero mission[]

Guide Mission Objective
Amy Find Cream! Find Cream and Cheese.

Cream is behind a cracked wall on the left side of a room after the second balloon ride. Cheese is in a hidden room behind the room full of other Chao.

Ranking[]
Rank Score[1]
A Rank (Mini) (Shadow the Hedgehog) ≥ 18,000
B Rank (Mini) (Shadow the Hedgehog) 16,000
C Rank (Mini) (Shadow the Hedgehog) 12,000
D Rank (Mini) (Shadow the Hedgehog) 8,000
E Rank (Mini) (Shadow the Hedgehog) < 8,000
  • Ending quote: "If you want to stay clear of trouble, then stay away from that Doctor!"

Expert Mode[]

Cryptic Castle's Expert Mode will have the player notice that the first balloon is gone, but by defeating the Egg Pawn a skull spring balloon will appear. Use that spring to bounce up to the top portion, and grind down the rail. At one point, there is a cage that must be opened by talking to Cream. Later, there is a fan that requires interacting with Cheese (now mixed in amongst the other Chao, who have all moved to the fan room) to activate. After the fifth checkpoint, get on the moving platforms, bounce off of the Black Hawk and then use the Light Dash to make it across to the other side.

Boss[]

Main article: Egg Breaker

The boss of Cryptic Castle is the Egg Breaker, one of Eggman's machines. The guide for this battle is Amy.

During this boss battle, the Egg Breaker will attempt to smash the player with the massive mace that is attached to its right arm. It will also sometimes spin, swinging its spiked ball in the process, which will make it invulnerable to all attacks. While Homing Attacks do damage this boss, shooting at it with a gun will bring it down faster.

Final quote[]

"Sorry, Doctor. But that Chaos Emerald is mine!"

Trivia[]

  • Cryptic Castle is rather unusual in that both Amy and Dr. Eggman encourage Shadow to kill the Black Arms enemies and scold him for destroying Eggman's robots. This means that going against the advice of a companion character (in this case, Dr. Eggman) will earn the player more points for their mission.
  • This is the only mission in the game where Amy appears as a partner.
    • This is also the only time Amy appears in the game before the Last Story.
  • If Eggman accompanies Shadow to the end of the route for completing the Normal mission, he will state that he was unaware of not only the underground rail area, but also the Giant Walker within.
  • If a second player controls Amy, her attack sounds are from the Japanese version.
  • The internal voice clip data lists this stage's name as "prk," the same title as Circus Park's files.

Music[]

Name Artist(s) Length Music track
"Cryptic Castle" Jun Senoue 2:46

Videos[]


References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kaizen Media Group (22 November 2005). "Stage Rankings". Shadow the Hedgehog: Prima Official Game Guide. Prima Games. p. 93. ISBN 978-0761551959.

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