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1666: Amsterdam Beginner Guide and Gameplay Tips
Mason Reed
Mason Reed
2026-08-27

1666: Amsterdam is a third-person, story-driven adventure where you investigate and hunt down mysterious demonic entities called Originals. Here, you’ll switch between Noa and Aaron, use witchcraft, explore the city, and uncover secrets across different timelines to reveal the hidden past of the Originals. However, with so many unique mechanics to learn, the early game can feel overwhelming. That’s where this 1666: Amsterdam beginner guide comes in, covering the key systems, tips, and tricks you need to explore Amsterdam and progress with confidence.

1666: Amsterdam Beginner Guide and Gameplay Tips

As you progress through 1666: Amsterdam, you’ll spend plenty of time exploring Amsterdam, investigating the Originals, gathering magical resources, and preparing for Esbat hunts. If you want to continue that progress away from your PC, OSLink lets you remotely play your 1666: Amsterdam PC session directly from your mobile. This makes it easier to keep exploring, investigating suspicious locations, and preparing for your next hunt wherever you go.

Understand the Day and Night Cycle First

Before you dive into the 1666: Amsterdam adventure, the first thing you need to understand is how the Day and Night Cycle works. This cycle revolves around the full moon, called Esbats. 

The two periods serve different purposes: daytime is for Investigations, while nighttime is for Hunts to find the true identities of the  immortal demonic entities known as Originals hiding among the city's human population , so understanding what to do during each phase is essential to playing 1666: Amsterdam effectively.

Daytime: Explore, Investigate, and Prepare

During the day, your main job is to investigate Amsterdam and uncover the identities of the Originals hiding behind ordinary human faces. Explore the streets, inspect buildings, talk to citizens, examine clues, and pay attention to the resources found throughout the city.

Daytime

Use the daytime to:

  • Explore new areas of Amsterdam.

  • Talk to important NPCs.

  • Examine suspicious locations.

  • Read gablestones and other environmental clues.

  • Investigate potential Originals.

  • Gather useful magical resources.

  • Learn more about your current objective.

  • Gather information and prepare your targets before night.

  • Stay in civilian form to keep your suspicion low. 

Nighttime: Start Esbat Hunt and Confront the Originals

When the Esbat, the game's full-moon ritual, begins, the Esbat hunt starts, and the Originals you identified can be confronted in their true forms.

Nighttime

At night, focus on:

  • Confronting the Originals you identified.

  • Using the Nominem spell during the full moon after gathering enough information.

  • Having Aaron scratch the target to reveal their demonic Amalgam form.

  • Fighting enemies and collecting power from coffers containing Nox bracelets and abilities.

  • Preparing for the next cycle, as Noa becomes weaker after the full moon.

Tip: Use the daytime for investigation and preparation, and nighttime for hunting, combat and confrontation.

Always Follow the Storyline to Progress 

1666: Amsterdam is heavily story-driven and takes place across three timelines: 1666 Amsterdam, 1999, and the present day with Clio. However, many of the gameplay mechanics are introduced naturally as you progress through the storyline.

Your choices can also affect relationships and story paths, so focus on the main story instead of immediately trying to explore everything. Following the main objectives until you understand how investigation, witchcraft, companions, and the different timelines work is the best way to progress quicker.

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Choose Your Cat Companion from the Sacred Tree

Choosing a suitable Bateratze (Cat Companion) is one of the first major decisions you will make after stepping into the game. Early in your adventure, you will visit the Sacred Tree, where you can choose a cat. The cat you choose becomes Aaron’s vessel and your constant partner. So, choosing a cat that suits your playstyle is the best way to enjoy the game.

Below are all the Cat Companions and details on how they work from our 1666: Amsterdam early game guide:

  • The Spirit - Mysterious companion focused on secrets, lore, and the supernatural.

  • The Hermit - Wise and quiet companion who values truth, knowledge, and investigation.

  • The Dreamer - Free-spirited and unpredictable, with a creative playstyle.

  • The Knight - Brave and reliable companion suited for combat and honorable choices.

  • The Page - Curious learner who grows stronger throughout your journey.

  • The Child - Playful and curious, perfect for exploration and discovering hidden areas.

  • The Alchemist - Magic-focused companion connected to elements, transformation, and resources.

  • The Guardian - Strong and dependable protector focused on defense and support.

  • The Wildling - Nature-loving companion suited for free exploration and outdoor adventures.

The Wildling

Tip: This is your playable partner throughout your adventure, so choose the Bateratze that best suits your playstyle and continue your journey.

Learn to Switch Between Noa and Aaron

One of the most unique mechanics in 1666: Amsterdam is the ability to experience the game through Noa and Aaron (the cat you choose from the Sacred Tree). The two characters serve different gameplay functions, and you can switch between them whenever the situation requires it. Here’s how to switch between them effectively:

  • Noa is your main playable witchcraft-focused character. She is especially important for handling combat, investigations, NPC dialogue, opening windows for the cat, and interacting with magical elements.

Noa

  • Aaron (Cat) is your partner who handles small spaces, climbing, rooftops, drainpipes, ledges, crevices, and unlocking doors or hatches from inside.

This dual system is important for exploring buildings and solving traversal puzzles. So, understanding the situation and switching between Noa and Aaron depending on the condition can help you progress more easily.

Collect More Magic Resources

While you are exploring the world of 1666: Amsterdam, Noa uses two main magical resources: Lux and Nux. Both are important for exploration, combat, upgrades, and other gameplay activities. The table below explains these resources and why they matter:

Collect More Magic Resources

Resource

How to Collect

Why It Matters

Lux

Absorb glowing energy from Life Echoes, dead animals, and other environmental sources.

Used for enchanting objects, lighting paths, solving puzzles, and interacting with the environment.

Nux 

Collect glowing orbs, convert Lux through Aaron, complete combat events, and defeat Originals.

Used for combat spells, stronger attacks, and upgrading the Heeparan gauntlet with Nox bracelets.

Tip: Aaron can convert Lux into Nux or Nux into Lux, giving you more flexibility when using your resources. So, keep an eye out for Life Echoes during your exploration and collect as many magical resources as possible.

Pay Close Attention to Dialogues and Cutscenes

1666: Amsterdam gameplay is built around discovering information through NPCs, story scenes, environmental clues, and historical details to understand Amsterdam and the mystery surrounding the Originals. However, skipping them can make you miss useful investigation clues, relationship changes, and important story details.

Therefore, do not skip important dialogue just because you want to reach the next objective. Pay attention to the dialogues and cutscenes, as they are very important for progressing through the story.

Pay Close Attention to Dialogues and Cutscenes

Keep Your Eyes Open and Explore Amsterdam Carefully

Thorough exploration should be one of your priorities as a beginner in 1666: Amsterdam. Amsterdam is divided into connected neighborhoods and districts instead of being one fully open world. It consists of different areas filled with clues, resources, power-ups, puzzles, and hidden paths that you can discover as you explore.

To further your exploration, you can switch between Noa and Aaron. Use Noa to open windows for Aaron, then switch to Aaron to enter buildings, climb, and unlock new paths. While exploring, look for gable stones, architectural details, and environmental clues because they are very helpful for your daytime investigations. 

Tip: Do not rush through the storyline. Take your time to explore everywhere, including houses and streets, to discover the secrets hidden throughout 1666: Amsterdam and keep your progress moving forward. 

More Tips and Tricks for Beginners

Here are some additional tips that can help you manage resources as a beginner, explore Amsterdam, and prepare better for combat and important Esbat hunts.

More Tips and Tricks for Beginners

  • Manage Suspicion: Switch to civilian form when moving through crowded or guarded areas to avoid attracting unwanted attention.
  • Use Aaron Often: Many locked buildings, narrow spaces, and hidden paths can be accessed by switching to Aaron.

  • Convert Resources: Use Aaron to convert Lux and Nux when you are running low on one of these resources.

  • Visit the Safehouse: Return to the safehouse to restore health, reduce suspicion, and craft useful potions.

  • Try Different Abilities: Experiment with different coffer ability combinations to find what works best for you. The visual decorations on Noa also show which abilities you are currently carrying.

  • Practice Before Hunts: Practice combat and switching between Noa and Aaron in safer areas before taking on major hunts.

Conclusion

With the right tips and tricks from this 1666: Amsterdam beginner guide, you can master Noa and Aaron, manage your magical resources, explore hidden areas, and hunt down the Originals with confidence. Use what you’ve learned to make the most of the day and night cycle, investigate carefully, and prepare properly for each Esbat hunt. When you want to continue your 1666: Amsterdam PC session away from your computer, OSLink lets you remotely play it from your mobile, so you can keep exploring Amsterdam and uncovering its dark secrets wherever you go.

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