Shadow Among Nove Controls Guide: Master Keybindings and Mechanics

Default Keyboard Controls

Understanding the default control scheme is essential for navigating the starship and interacting with characters in Shadow Among Nove. The game is designed for single-player PC gameplay, with a focus on dialogue choices and exploration. Below are the standard keybindings you will use most frequently.

The movement and interaction keys are standard for a casual RPG. Use WASD to move your character through the confined corridors of the spacecraft. The E key is used for interacting with objects, initiating conversations, and picking up items. Spacebar allows you to skip dialogue lines or confirm selections in menus. For quick access to your inventory and mission log, press I to open the inventory screen and J to view your current bounty quests. The Esc key opens the pause menu, where you can save your game, adjust settings, or return to the main menu.

Mouse Controls and Camera

The mouse controls the camera perspective and interaction cursor. Since Shadow Among Nove is a third-person narrative-driven experience, precise camera control helps you explore environmental details and spot hidden clues.

• Mouse Movement: Look around the environment.
• Left Click: Select dialogue options, interact with menu buttons, and confirm choices.
• Right Click: Cancel actions or close sub-menus.
• Mouse Wheel: Zoom the camera in and out for a closer look at character expressions or objects.

Dialogue and Choice Controls

The core gameplay loop in Shadow Among Nove revolves around making choices that affect trust and anger levels with the mysterious man holding you hostage. The control scheme for dialogue is simple but requires attention.

When a dialogue prompt appears, you will see two to four options displayed on screen. Use the 1, 2, 3, and 4 number keys to select the corresponding choice. Alternatively, you can click directly on the option with your mouse. Some critical decisions may have a time limit, indicated by a shrinking circle around the option. You must press the key or click before the timer expires, or the game will default to a neutral response.

Menu Navigation and Shortcuts

Efficient menu navigation saves time during bounty missions. The game interface is divided into several tabs accessible via keyboard shortcuts.

Key	Action
Tab	Open the mission overview map
M	Open the full star map for system navigation
B	Open the bounty board to accept new contracts
C	Open the character status screen (Trust/Anger meters)
L	Open the lore journal containing discovered information

Learning these shortcuts allows you to quickly check your progress without pausing the game, keeping the narrative flow uninterrupted.

Combat and Interaction Mechanics

While Shadow Among Nove is not an action-heavy game, there are moments requiring quick interaction. During certain sequences, you may need to perform Quick Time Events (QTEs). These appear as prompts on screen, such as pressing F rapidly to escape a grapple or pressing Spacebar at the right moment to dodge a hazard.

For non-combat interactions, such as repairing ship systems or hacking doors, a mini-game interface appears. Use your mouse to click and drag components into the correct slots, or press the arrow keys to align signals. Successfully completing these mini-games rewards you with additional credit points or story advantages.

Customizing Your Controls

You can fully customize your control scheme from the main menu or pause screen. Navigate to Settings > Controls to remap any action. The game supports both keyboard and mouse, but does not currently support controller input.

To reset your controls to default, scroll to the bottom of the Controls menu and select "Reset to Default". This is useful if you have made too many changes and want to start fresh. Remember to save your settings before exiting the menu.

For more tips on getting started, check out our beginner guide and beginner tips. If you encounter any technical issues with controls, refer to the troubleshooting guide.

What should I do if the controls feel unresponsive?
First, check your frame rate in the Settings menu. Low FPS can cause input lag. Lower the graphics settings if necessary. Also, ensure no other applications are interfering with keyboard inputs.

Can I use a controller?
As of the current version, Shadow Among Nove does not natively support controllers. The development team has not announced plans for controller support. Keyboard and mouse remain the only input methods.

How do I save my game?
You can save manually by pressing Esc and selecting "Save Game." The game also features autosave checkpoints at the start of each new chapter or after completing a major dialogue sequence.