Nocturnal Achievement Guide & Full Walkthrough

If you’re planning to fully complete Nocturnal, you’re in for a short but tightly designed experience. The game doesn’t waste your time, but it will punish you if you ignore exploration or miss key moments.

This guide walks you through everything properly, including all achievements, shrine locations, and the few things that can actually lock you out of 100%.

• Total Achievements: 11
• Estimated Time: 3 to 4 hours
• Playthroughs Needed: 1 (level select helps cleanup)
• Missable Achievements: 3

Those missables are where most players slip, so keep an eye on them from the start.

Important Missables (Read This First)

There are three achievements you can miss, and two of them are very easy to overlook.

Words Unspoken (MISSABLE)

After escaping a spike ceiling section:

• Take the elevator back up
• Check the dead-end above
• Pick up the Old Letter

If you move on without doing this, you’ll likely need cleanup later.

A Light in Dark Places

• Activate your first shrine

Not technically hard to miss, but if you rush through areas without exploring, it can happen.

No Stone Unturned (MISSABLE)

• Find all 11 shrines

Miss even one, and you won’t unlock it.

Core Gameplay Mechanics (Understanding This Makes Everything Easier)

In Nocturnal, your entire playstyle revolves around fire.

• Your sword must stay lit to deal proper damage
• Fire clears Mist, which blocks progress
• You can throw fire daggers to light distant torches

This isn’t optional. If your flame goes out, you’re basically weaker and slower.

Story Achievements (Unmissable Progression)

These unlock naturally as you play.

Form Blazing Sword

You’ll get this early when you obtain your flame.

Unfortunate Enemies (Defeat Azita)

• Stay mobile
• Attack after her dash
• Use daggers to control space

Stand Your Ground (Berserker Boss)

• Wait for attack windows
• Avoid rushing in
• Use ranged daggers when needed

Avatar Ascendant

Story progression unlock.

Baleful Shadow (Mist Arsia Boss)

• Keep your flame active
• Focus on timing over aggression

A Grim Farewell

Complete the game.

Shrine Achievements (Exploration Heavy)

A Light in Dark Places

Activate your first shrine. You’ll likely get this early if you explore even a little.

No Stone Unturned (All 11 Shrines)

This is the main collectible challenge. Here’s every shrine clearly explained.

Shrine Locations Breakdown

Shrine 1 – Zone 4
Near the start. Activate elevator, go right into a dark room.

Shrine 2 – Zone 5
After second checkpoint. Ride elevator down, go left.

Shrine 3 – Zone 6
Burn vines first, then solve torch puzzle:
Order: 3 → 1 → 2 → 4

Shrine 4 – Zone 8
Light high wall torch, backtrack, climb newly opened platforms.

Shrine 5 – Zone 9
After Phoenix statue, go down, light torch, return to unlock.

Shrine 6 – Zone 13
Ride elevator up, go right, light torch.

Shrine 7 – Zone 14
Burn vines, then torch puzzle:
Order: 2 → 3 → 1 → 4

Shrine 8 – Zone 16 (EASY TO MISS)
Light hidden torch, then backtrack to access new platforms.

Shrine 9 – Zone 18 (MOST MISSED)
Outdoor/tree area.
Throw dagger upward to light hidden torch above doorway.

Shrine 10 – Zone 20
Reveal hidden puzzle before dropping down.
Order: 1 → 3 → 2 → 4

Shrine 11 – Zone 22 (EASY TO MISS)
After chase sequence:
Enter building and immediately drop into pit.

Words Unspoken

This is the most commonly missed achievement.

After a spike ceiling escape:

• Don’t move forward
• Take the elevator back up
• Explore the dead-end above

Pick up the Old Letter to unlock it.

Grind Achievement

The Torchbearer

• Light 100 torches

You’ll likely get this naturally if you:

• Light every torch you see
• Use daggers to ignite distant ones

If you somehow miss it, use level select for cleanup.

Nocturnal is short, but it rewards attention to detail. If you explore properly and understand how fire mechanics work, 100% completion feels smooth.

If you rush, though, you’ll miss things and end up doing cleanup anyway.

Play smart, stay observant, and you can finish everything in one clean run.