Foreword
Each episode of Hands of Necromancy consists of seven maps. The first of these serves as the hub for the episode, wherein lies five portals to following five maps. Four of these maps are connected with each other progression wise, i.e. the six different keys are shared between them and the Necromancer needs to visit most of them more than once, carrying the needed keys from one another. He also gains access to four different transformations throughout the course of his adventure. These transformations come with their own combat and exploration abilities and are also required for progression within the episode.
Fully completing the requirements of the first four maps within an episode lets the Necromancer access the sixth map of the episode in question from the related hub. The sixth maps are self-contained. They mark points of no return and serve as an intermediary level between the hub and the final map of the episode. The final (or the seventh) map of each episode is also a self-contained affair, culminating in a boss battle with one of the Undead Kings. The only exception to this system is the final map of the third episode, which leaves aside the ordinary level build-up and places the Necromancer directly in an arena where he battles the last Undead King.
There are not any secret maps in the game. Even though starting from the second or the third episode grants the Necromancer the transformations he should have gained by that point, it is recommended to start from the first episode if it is your first playthrough.
This guide lists the secrets in order of the map numbers. Still, considering the hub based progression, the actual order of tackling the levels may highly differ. If a transformation is required to reach a certain secret, the guide tells it in brackets.
All the screenshots are slightly gamma tweaked outside of the game for better clarity.
Episode 3: Facing Death
The game collects and offers hints on a key press. In case things get confusing, here is the optimal order of progression through the episode:
- Clear out the Ancient Ruins, get the lay of the land and find the sole secret.
- Get the Iron Key from the Swamp Village and find the first three secrets.
- Get the Skull Key from the Volcano.
- Get the Fire Key and the Dragon Key from the Temple of Iron.
- Get the Wyvern transformation from the Abandoned Castle.
- Return to Swamp Village, get the Wind Key and find the last secret.
- Return to the Volcano and get the Snake Key.
- Return to the Ancient Ruins, fly over the abyss and enter Mountains of Evil.
- Fight your way through Mountains of Evil to reach the Final Encounter.
- Confront the last Undead King in the Final Encounter.Facing Death contains a total of 13 secrets.
M15: The Ancient Ruins (Hub)
This map contains only a single secret.
1/1 - Make your way to the top level where the portals to Temple of Iron and The Abandoned Castle are found and jump over the balcony railing to reach the otherwise barred area where a bunch of items are lying out in the open.
M16: Temple Of Iron
This map contains 5 secrets.
1/5 - (Swamp Serpent) Right at the start, fit through the opening found nearby the switch that opens up the way into the temple to reach a bunch of barred items.
2/5 - Following on from the previous secret, take the stairs to the lower level and use the wall panel between the two candelabras to reveal a hidden item.
3/5 - Use the wall panel marked with a candle between the two crushers before the second Skull door to access a hidden compartment.
4/5 - The switch found on the second floor of the library that activates the nearby lift doubles as a way of accessing the hidden compartment on the lower floor. Pull it, quickly drop down and turn around to get into the newly-revealed area.
5/5 - Right after pulling the switch that activates the lift to the top floor, drop down to your left, turn around and follow the narrow ledge. Approach the vase on the other side to reveal a hidden compartment.
M17: The Swamp Village
This map contains 4 secrets.
1/4 - (Swamp Serpent) Once you reach the pool in the building right across the portal, dive in and look for an opening you can fit through through reach a lengthy side area that ends with an otherwise barred item.
2/4 - Following on from the previous secret, leave the building via the back door and look for a slightly discolored part on the enormous trunk next to the hut. Walk through it to find a hidden item.
3/4 - In the building behind the central one, find the cracked side of the pillar at the center of the very first room and destroy it to reveal a hidden alcove.
4/4 - (Wyvern) Fly into the opening covered by plants above the waterfall next to the central building to find a hidden item.
M18: The Volcano
This map contains only a single secret.
1/1 - Shortly after picking up the Iron Key, you need to take a stone lift to progress. After taking it, simply turn around and drop down to the nearby ledge to pick up the map scroll lying out in the open.
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Hint - Once you get the Wyvern transformation you need to return to the Volcano and find the Snake key. Since the entrance to the room it is in is rather hard to spot, the above shots are provided as hints. The opening is near the upper reaches of the secondary cavern.
M19: The Abandoned Castle
This map contains only a single secret.
1/1 - After dealing with the initial attack, look for a slightly indented part on the rocks surrounding the area and use it to reveal a side area with lots of ammo.
M20: Mountains Of Evil
This map contains only a single secret.
1/1 - After dealing with the foes in the blood arena and opening the door out of it with the Fire Key, turn around and fly to the back of the tower to find a newly-revealed compartment.
M21: The Final Encounter
This level has no secrets. Here is a piece of artwork instead -
Feel free to comment if you require further assistance.
Source: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2824460359