It’s 1939. You’re standing on a crumbling ledge in Sudan, heart hammering, while a bunch of Nazis shout at you in German. This isn't just a movie rerun; it’s the opening of a game that somehow feels like a fever dream and a classic adventure all at once. If you've dusted off your old console to play this, you probably realized pretty fast that an indiana jones staff of kings walkthrough isn’t just about knowing which way to turn—it’s about surviving the controls.
Most guides treat this game like a modern masterpiece. It isn’t. It’s a messy, ambitious, and surprisingly fun relic from the era when developers thought swinging a Wii remote like a madman was the future of gaming.
Sudan: The Warm-up You’ll Probably Mess Up
The game doesn't waste time. You start in Sudan, chasing a golden ram’s head. This level is basically one giant tutorial, but it’s where most people miss the first few collectibles because they’re too busy trying to figure out how to crack the whip.
Honesty time: the first "Fortune" artifact is right behind you when you start. Literally. Turn around and walk to the end of the cliff path. If you just ran forward like a hero, you already failed the completionist test. Once you grab that, you’ll hit your first roadblock—thorns. Just follow the prompts. You’ll eventually reach a cave where you need to light a torch.
That Annoying Spider Bridge
Inside the cave, there’s a bridge covered in spiderwebs. Burn the webs before the bridge to snag the second Fortune. Then, the bridge collapses. It’s a classic Indy trope. Use the torch to light the oil basins on both sides of the door to get through.
The big "boss" of this area isn't a person; it’s a ram statue. You have to push it into a pit. Simple, right? Except the camera usually decides to look at a wall while you’re doing it. Once the idol is yours, get ready for the German camp. This is where you learn that Indy doesn't just punch—he grapples.
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San Francisco: Chinatown is a Deathtrap
San Francisco shifts the vibe completely. You’re in an alleyway, and suddenly four gangsters want your head. This is where the combat mechanics actually get interesting.
You’ve got to use the environment. See a green dumpster? Push it. See a bottle? Throw it. Honestly, if you aren't throwing random objects at people, you're playing the game wrong. In the fireworks factory, there’s a specific "Glory" move where you jump on the pipes above and take out thugs from the air. It’s satisfying. It’s also way harder than it looks because the targeting system is... let’s call it "temperamental."
The Hidden Loot in the Fog
There are nine artifacts in San Francisco. Nine! Most are tucked behind crates or rusty gates. One of the sneakiest is behind a parked truck near the train tracks. If you just follow the main objective marker, you’ll walk right past it.
Panama and the Temple of "Wait, What?"
Panama is where the puzzles actually start to require a brain cell. You’re looking for the Staff of Moses, and the game leans hard into the Mayan aesthetic.
There’s a part with "beasts" (kitties, as some fans call them) that you can release. Do it. It makes the fight way easier. The real headache in Panama is the statue puzzle. You have to align them to trigger the next sequence.
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- Move the left statue to face the center.
- The right one needs to rotate twice.
- Don't touch the middle one until the others are set.
If you mess up the order, the game doesn't really tell you why you're stuck. You just stand there looking at rocks while the music loops.
Istanbul: The Mosaic and the Sultan’s Relics
Istanbul is the longest chapter, and it’s packed with 12 artifacts. It feels the most like a "real" Indiana Jones movie. You’re in a library, you’re in a mosque, and you’re definitely getting shot at.
The Elephant in the Room
Literally. You eventually end up on an elephant. This is a QTE (Quick Time Event) gauntlet. If you’re on the Wii, God help your wrists. On the PS2, it’s just a matter of timing. The trick to the Istanbul shooting sequences is the crosshair. It turns green when you have a hit, but even then, the hit detection can be wonky. Aim slightly ahead of moving cars or Nazis.
Why the Wii and PS2 Versions Feel Like Different Games
Here is something most people don't realize: the Wii and PS2 versions aren't identical twins. They're more like cousins who don't talk much.
The Wii version is famous for its "Fate of Atlantis" unlockable. That alone makes it the superior version for some. But the motion controls? They are a double-edged sword. To reload a gun on the Wii, you shake the remote. To punch, you swing. It’s immersive until Indy decides to do a light jab when you clearly meant for a haymaker.
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The PS2 version is more "traditional." You use the face buttons. It’s more reliable, but you lose that tactile feeling of cracking a whip. If you’re playing on a modern emulator or a PS5 (via the rare backward compatibility hacks), the PS2 version is much less frustrating.
Pro-Tips for Combat (That Aren't in the Manual)
- The Grapple is King: Press R1 (on PS2) to grab an enemy. You can then shove them into a wall, off a ledge, or just knee them in the face. It’s the fastest way to clear a room.
- Whip Pulls: You can use the whip to pull enemies toward you. It sets them up for a finishing move that usually results in an instant KO.
- Environmental KOs: Look for glowing objects. If you’re near a table or a shelf, the game will prompt you to use it. These are almost always one-hit kills.
- The Brutes: You can’t just mash the attack button on the big guys. They block. You have to dodge (Circle on PS2), wait for them to swing, and then counter.
The Finale: Odin and Beyond
The final stretch takes you to Nepal and then a giant airship called the Odin. It’s a lot of shooting and a lot of running. The final boss fight against Magnus Voller is basically one long QTE. Stay focused. The game loves to throw a button prompt at you right when you think the cutscene is still playing.
If you’ve followed this indiana jones staff of kings walkthrough logic, you should have most of the 38 artifacts. These unlock "Extras" in the main menu, including skins and the aforementioned "Fate of Atlantis" (on Wii).
Your Next Steps
To truly master the game, don't just finish it. Go back to the "Journal" in the main menu. It lists every artifact you missed by location. If you’re missing one in Istanbul, check the area near the Sultan's mosaic—there's a secret passage behind a bookcase that 90% of players miss on their first run. Push the bookcase, wait for the door to close, and the artifact is right there.
Now, go grab that fedora and get back in there. Those Nazis aren't going to punch themselves.