Braid (Game) FAQ

Introduction
Legal
Version History
Braid (A hand-holding for the first moments of the game.)
World 2 World 5
Level 1 Level 1
Piece 1 [w2l1p1] Piece 37 [w5l1p1]
Piece 2 [w2l1p2] Level 2
Level 2 Piece 39 [w5l2p2]
Piece 47 [w5l6p1]
World 3 Level 7
Level 2
Piece 13 [w3l2p1] World 6
Level 3 Level 1
Level 4 Level 3
Level 5 Level 4
Level 7 Level 6
Level 7
World 4 Piece 60 [w6l7p1]
Level 1
Level 2 World 1
Level 3 Level 1
Piece 28 [w4l3p1]
Piece 29 [w4l3p2]
Level 4
Piece 30 [w4l4p1]
Level 5
Piece 31 [w4l5p1]
Piece 32 [w4l5p2]
Level 6
Piece 33 [w4l6p1]
Piece 34 [w4l6p2]
Level 7
Piece 35 [w4l7p1]
Piece 36 [w4l7p2]
FAQ
Contact
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Introduction
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Hello, and welcome to my walkthrough of the Xbox Live Arcade game, Braid. My
name is Pope Smear, or Ryan for short, and I will be describing for you the
methods behind the madness that is Braid. To put it simply, I will help you
find every puzzle piece, and solve their prerequisite puzzles. However, let me
begin with a word of caution.
Don't read this.
Seriously.
Braid is a meticulously crafted work of art, a game whose beauty is only
surpassed by its complexity. And while you may simply want to rush through
and discover the ending, you will also find that such a method is the only way
to lose this game. In the end, the only true definition of "beating" Braid is
to discover, on your own, the location and solution to the puzzle pieces. Only
then will you feel a sense of accomplishment, and only then will you have made
your purchase worthwhile.
However, with that said...
Braid will challenge you. Frustrate you. It may, in fact, make you want to
tear your hair out. So, to prevent such an unfortunate end, I will provide
solutions for those of you who are simply stuck beating your head against a
wall. I do hope, however, that you use this resource sparingly. As once
you have seen the solution, you can never un-see it.
Now that that's out of the way, let's move on, shall we?
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Legal
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This document is Copyright 2008 Ryan Rhinebarger. It may not be reproduced
under any circumstances except for personal, private use. It may not be placed
on any website or otherwise distributed publicly without advance written
permission. Use of this guide on any other website or as part of any public
display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of international copyright law.
All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their
respective trademark and copyright holders.
Locations that have received written permission to post this guide: GameFAQs,
Cheat Code Central, GamersHell, IGN, GamesRadar, and CheatPlanet.
The most recent version of this guide will always be found first at GameFAQs.
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Version History
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Version 0.5 - FAQ/Walkthrough complete through World 4, about halfway.
Submitted 8/9/08 incomplete, as no other FAQ is up yet.
Version 1.0 - FAQ/Walkthrough complete. Minor revisions here and there.
Submitted 8/15/08. To Do: Stars.
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Braid
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After beginning the game, you will see the title in flaming letters across a
reddened cityscape. You will notice the silhouette of your character on a
bridge. You will also notice that there is no menu. Braid actually deposits
you directly into your current game without any loading, changing settings,
or picking files. If you would like to see the standard arcade game menu,
you may press <START>. I would suggest doing so, so that you can go to Help &
Options, Settings, and then select Screen Size. Many televisions don't display
Braid properly, so it's worth the time to ensure you are viewing the full
playing area.
After you have made the necessary adjustments, the game will tell you to use
the left stick to move, and press <START> to pause. From here, you can walk
right as the Braid title disappears, down a flight of stairs, and into a
courtyard with a garage and a constellation in the sky above. Your character
will also emerge from silhouette, and you may examine him in all his
diminutive glory.
Continue right, up a short flight of stairs and into the house. You will be
spending some time here, as this functions as the World select screen for the
game. You will notice that only one room is illuminated, with "World 2"
emblazoned on the canvas on the wall. A small door to your right can and
should be opened with the <B> button, as there is nothing else to be done in
the house for the moment.
Within, you will find some books, which begin to weave the plot of the game,
and some doors, only one of which is active and will take you to the first
level. Read if you like (it's highly recommended), and then continue through
the first door.
From here on, it's up to you. Make your way through the levels and the worlds,
collecting the puzzle pieces as you are able. Some you won't be able to obtain
your first visit, don't let that discourage you though. Most are obtainable
the moment you walk in the room, however. All the tools you need to reach
the pieces are available from the beginning, the only thing you need is an open
mind.
If you get stuck, take a break. Look for another piece. Put some pieces
together in the house. Maybe even go for a walk. And then come back to it
with a fresh perspective.
Above all, do not continue reading if this is your first time experiencing
Braid. Close the window, if you have to. Because the money you have spent
will only be worth it when you have those "Eureka moments", when you finally
figure out the puzzle that has had you scratching your head for hours.
And remember, it's not about winning, but enjoying the ride.
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World 2 - Time and Forgiveness
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The first World you enter is a relatively simple one. It is designed to
introduce the basic concepts of the game at a slow, safe pace. However, that
is not to say that the puzzle pieces have simple solutions. Several will
require you to think past your first instinct, and maybe your second as well.
Some are outright unsolvable when you first reach them. Don't let it deter
you; think of it as a taste of things to come.
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World 2 - Level 1 - Three Easy Pieces
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[3 pieces - #1, #2, #3]
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[#1] - [w2l1p1]
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Move right from the doorway, hopping up some ledges and across a shallow pit.
Down the slope, and climb up the wooden surface, down another slope, and then
up another wooden surface. At the top, hold right to drop down onto the ledge
and down a couple of steps. Climb the short ladder and hop over the obstacle.
You should see the piece one level down, so fall into hole in the platform to a
lower platform. Hop across the two gaps (rewind if you fall), and the puzzle
piece is yours.
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[#2] - [w2l1p2]
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From #1...hop back across the gaps and over to the ladder on the other side.
After climbing up, either bounce on or avoid the patrolling enemy, and drop
down to an area with two ladders leading up to a platfrom where another enemy
is wandering around, and a cannon rests on the right side, inert. This is an
enemy cannon, and will shoot out enemies if there are fewer than its quota in
the area. You will also see the puzzle piece floating above the platform,
just out of jumping range. You need to jump on the enemy and bounce up to the
piece, being careful not to be smacked by the enemy that will pop out of the
cannon to replace your improvised springboard.
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[#3] - [w2l1p3]
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From #2...drop down from the platform and continue to the right, where you will
find a slightly broader but otherwise identical platform, with two enemies.
All you have to do is what you did with #2, except bounce off of both enemies
to reach the necessary height to grab the puzzle piece. Simple enough. Again,
try not to get tagged by the cannon on your way out.
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World 2 - Level 2 - The Cloud Bridge
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[4 pieces - #4, #5, #6, #7]
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[#4] - [w2l2p1]
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From the door, head right across two pits and grab the key. Hop back across
the gaps and climb the ladder. Use the key to open the door. Jump on top of
the cannon, and jump on one of the clouds it's spewing. Ride the cloud across,
and you'll nab the piece in the process.
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[#5] - [w2l2p2]
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From #4...after your cloud makes its misty exit, you can jump up onto a
floating land piece, on the right side of which are the same moving cloud
platforms, only they are moving in reverse. You need to jump across the
clouds, and if you manage to make it, you will find this puzzle piece waiting
for you atop the cannon from which they emerge.
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[#6] - [w2l2p3]
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Requires: #8, #9
Use the canvas to assemble pieces 8 and 9 together, which you may notice
resemble a in-game platform. Switching in and out of canvas view, move the
conjoined pieces to the upper part of the canvas, so that the platform they
create can be jumped to from the upper left-hand platform. Head left from the
canvas, climbing the ladder and then jumping back across the clouds. Avoid the
enemy here if you plan on getting #7 now as well, and jump onto your new
platform. Most likely, you won't have it positioned where you can also jump
to the far right platform, so stand on the extreme right edge and press <B> to
access canvas view again. Without adjust the vertical height, slide the
platform piece across the canvas a ways, checking the level to make sure you're
still on it. Then, use your additional running room to make the jump and grab
the piece.
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[#7] - [w2l2p4]
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Requires: #8, #9
After grabbing #6, drop back down to the ground and enter canvas view again.
Move the platform piece so that it is a perfect continuation of the left-hand
platform. If done correctly, the enemy will walk out onto it. If he doesn't
walk on it, try to adjust the platform puzzle piece until it's flush. Once the
enemy is on your platform piece, enter canvas view again and move the platform
piece off the canvas entirely. This will cause the enemy to drop down and
begin moving around on the lower level. Now you can easily bounce off of him
and grab the piece floating above the exit door.
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World 2 - Level 3 - Hunt!
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[1 piece - #8]
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[#8] - [w2l3p1]
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This piece is in the top right-hand corner of the single-screen room, and is
protected by a door that will only open when every enemy in the room is dead.
To begin your mission of genocide, squash the enemy coming in your direction
on the bottom floor. After he has been disposed of, climb the ladder in front
of you, but refrain from killing the enemy on this platform. Instead, jump
across the gap to your left and sate your bloodlust on the enemy here. Climb
the ladder, and take out another hapless walking head.
Now, here's the tricky part: the platform on the right is too far to reach with
a regular jump, so instead you will have to jump down, bounce off of the enemy
you avoided earlier and up to the right-hand platform. There, quickly take out
the enemy on the small platform, and climb the ladder to the top floor. Here,
exterminate the final enemy at your leisure. The door will open, and you may
grab your puzzle piece.
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World 2 - Level 4 - Leap of Faith
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[4 pieces - #9, #10, #11, #12]
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[#9] - [w2l4p1]
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This piece is minding its own business above and slightly to the right of the
entrance door. What you need to do is head up the ladder to your right, and
position yourself at the switch. Press the switch, and the platform will begin
moving to the right. You will notice that a cannon on the right is spouting
enemies into the flaming death pit below. Your mission is to save one of these
poor fellows by maneuvering the floating platform into a position where it will
catch him, and transport him left. If you do this correctly, he should walk
off of the platform in transit, landing on the grassy knoll to the left of the
pit. Now, he will be wandering around in the area near the door, where you can
bounce off of him and up to the piece.
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[#10] - [w2l4p2]
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After riding the switch platform across the fiery death pit, you will find
yourself standing above a steep cliff, with a puzzle piece staring you down
from the other side. The leap may look impossible, but it's actually just
another application of the enemy bouncing concept. It just so happens that the
enemy you need to use is moving through the air. The cannon in the left cliff
wall is the one you need to watch closely. Memorize its timing, and bounce off
of the enemy in midair. If you screw up, which you almost certainly will at
least once, just rewind. After sticking the landing, mosey on over to the
puzzle piece.
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[#11] - [w2l4p3]
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This is easiest if you are starting from #10. This piece is on a small ledge
directly above the death pit at the bottom of the canyon. The easiest way to
reach it is by simply making a controlled jump from the upper right edge of
the canyon, avoiding the first death pit on the left, then holding left to
avoid the floating one in the center of the canyon, and bouncing off the left
wall onto the ledge with the puzzle piece. Harder said than done, really.
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[#12] - [w2l4p4]
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From #11...hop down to the floor to the right of the pit, avoiding any enemies
wandering around. Wait until an enemy falls down into the lower area from the
ladder, then begin climbing. If you're quick, you should be able to make it
into the 3rd alcove up, where the last puzzle piece in World 2 is waiting.
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World 3 - Time and Mystery
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This world introduces the concept of objects that are immune to Tim's time
control. Time always moves forward for them, regardless of Tim's position in
the flow of time. These objects have a green, sparkling aura about them, and
are found throughout the rest of the game.
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World 3 - Level 1 - The Pit
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[No pieces]
This level is simply a demonstration of the properties of green items.
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World 3 - Level 2 - There and Back Again
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[1 piece - #13]
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[#13] - [w3l2p1]
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In this room, you will see the exit door on the other side of the room, and
above it the puzzle piece sits in an alcove protected by a green door. You may
also notice that there is a barrier quickly sliding into place in front of the
door. And the green key is sitting at the very top of the room, above all of
the climbing surfaces and platforms, beneath a cannon that is spouting enemies.
What you need to do is climb up and grab the key, then rewind back to when you
first entered the room. You will still have the key in your possession, and
you will have plenty of time to unlock the door and grab the puzzle piece
before the barrier closes.
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World 3 - Level 3 - Phase
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[2 pieces - #14, #15]
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[#14] - [w3l3p1]
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Immediately to your right as you enter the room, there is a climbing surface
that leads to a platform that is being bombarded by two different types of
clouds. The clouds that are slightly higher up are normal clouds, the clouds
below them are green clouds. Obviously, the green clouds are immune to time
control. So, the simplest solution would be to manipulate time until the two
types of clouds have jumpable distances between them, and then use them as
lilypads to reach the puzzle piece sitting atop the cannons producing the
clouds.
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[#15] - [w3l3p2]
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This puzzle is very similar to the previous puzzle, except that the clouds are
much farther apart. So much so, that you cannot simply position them as
stepping stones. Instead, you must jump across as many as you can, then jump
in the air. At the apex of your leap, tap <X>. This will cause you to bounce
between seconds in time, giving the green cloud time to move towards you. When
it is beneath you, stop tapping <X> and jump further. You may have to repeat
this process a couple of times to reach the puzzle piece, which again rests
on the cannons.
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World 3 - Level 4 - The Ground Beneath Her Feet
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[2 pieces - #16, #17]
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[#16] - [w3l4p1]
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As you enter the level, you will see an enemy fall to his death in a flaming
spike pit to your right. Beyond the pit, there is a green platform with a
green lever to operate it, and even farther to the right is a green puzzle
piece protected by a door. To your left, in a hole too small for Tim to fit
into, is the key to said door.
To obtain the piece, first climb the ladder and
drop down between the two platforms onto the lever platform. Pull the lever,
and rewind back to when you entered. Now the enemy will no longer perish, but
land on the green platform. He will continue left, and as thanks for assisting
his continued existence, he grabs the key. Now stab him in the back and steal
the key by bouncing on his head. Walk across the green platform, hit the
lever, and walk across to the door. Once you've gotten the piece, you may
notice that it is green. Just like other green objects, the puzzle piece
will persist in your collection despite any further rewinding. Essentially,
once you have this one, you have it for good.
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[#17] - [w3l4p2]
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From #16...climb back out of the pit, hopping across the gap and down from the
ledge. Here, you will find a ladder that is blocked by a green platform, and a
green lever to your right which surveys a death pit, with the puzzle piece
occupying a small platform at the bottom of the pit on the right-hand side next
to a column.
To obtain this piece, first hit the lever. Then climb the ladder, hop up onto
the green platform, and stand atop the column. Wait a couple of seconds, then
walk (don't rewind) back to the ladder, climb down, and hit the lever again.
Now, rewind back to when you were on top of the column. You will actually pass
through the green platform, walk on thin air, and end at the column. Now you
can drop down and nab the puzzle piece. This one is green, so don't be afraid
of rewinding back to the top of the column in order to leave.
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World 3 - Level 5 - Tight Channels
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[2 pieces - #18, #19]
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[#18] - [w3l5p1]
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After moving right a ways and encountering a couple of cat-bunnies, you will
see a cannon spouting green enemies that are being decimated by a fireball
cannon on the right. Further over, there is a platform with two ladders
leading to it with a puzzle piece floating just out of reach.
First, climb the left ladder, but stop just before reaching the platform. Now,
hang out for a couple of seconds to build up a rewind buffer. Once you're done
resting, watch the fireballs. When one is approaching the left edge of the
screen, begin tapping <X>. It should hold in place. Now, wait until you hear
the pop of the cannon, then time your taps so that the fireball slowly moves
right, back towards the cannon. Eventually, the enemy will walk into frame,
and with careful control of the fireball, he will drop down to the platform.
All you have to do now is scramble up the rest of the way and bounce off of his
head to grab the piece.
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[#19] - [w3l5p2]
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This piece is near the exit door, above a couple of platforms connected by
ladders. Far left of this position is a cannon that is shooting normal
fireballs into the first platform up, at a rate that makes it impossible to
cross to the ladder to the platform with the piece. A little farther to the
right from the first cannon, there is a green cannon shooting green fireballs.
What you need to do is stand beneath the green cannon, and watch the fireballs.
Slowly tap <X> until the green fireballs hit every other normal fireball. This
will increase the gap between the regular fireballs, so that with care, you
will be able to walk from the left ladder to the right ladder in between
fireballs. After climbing the right ladder, simply move left and grab the
puzzle piece.
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World 3 - Level 6 - Irreversible
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[3 pieces - #20, #21, #22]
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[#20] - [w3l6p1]
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For this piece, the first thing you need to do is to NOT rewind. At all. If
you're already in the room, leave and come back. The reason for this is that
above the door, there is an area with a death pit. To the right of the death
pit, are two barriers that begin moving when you enter. One is small, green,
vertical, and moving upwards. The other is long, horizontal, and moving to the
left. They are converging on one point, and you need the horizontal barrier to
escape its confines and move over the pit. However, if you rewind at all, the
green barrier, unaffected by the rewind, will block the horizontal barrier's
escape.
All you really need to do is avoid or kill the enemies that come at you, and if
you get hit and have to rewind, just leave and come back. Once you see that
horizontal barrier has made it past the green barrier, you can walk to the
right, climb the ladder, and make your way left past the venus flytrap and the
enemies. Jump on the horizontal barrier and claim your puzzle piece.
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[#21] - [w3l6p2]
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From #20...head right, past the enemies and the ladder, across some grass.
Eventually, you will come to a ladder that goes underground. Before climbing
down, you should kill the catbunny that pops up to the right of the ladder, as
sometimes he will position himself directly above the ladder after you climb
down, making it very difficult to leave.
After taking care of him, climb down. You will see two doors to your right.
The closest one is green, and the other is normal. Behind both is a puzzle
piece. To your left is a venus flytrap guarding a normal key. Grab the key,
enter the green door, and rewind. You will notice that you have the key in
your possession, yet the green door remains open. Now open the other door,
and grab your puzzle piece.
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[#22] - [w3l6p3]
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From #21...go down the ladder to the right of #21. Here, you will find three
doors on your right, which from left to right are normal, green, normal. To
your left are some venus flytraps that guard a normal key, and further to the
left is a ladder leading farther down.
First, walk left, but do not grab the normal key. If you do, rewind. Head to
the ladder, where you can just jump down. There is a green key down here, so
once you have it, reverse back to where you are to the right of the venus
flytraps, then open the first normal door. Now, head back left and grab the
normal key. Use it to open the green door, rewind, and open the normal door.
The puzzle piece is yours.
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World 3 - Level 7 - Lair
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[No pieces]
This area is just a boss fight. Notice that the boss is green. Between that
and the chandeliers, you should have no trouble in this area.
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World 3 - Level 8 - A Tingling
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[2 pieces - #23, #24]
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[#23] - [w3l8p1]
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The first half of this area is a complex of ladders, platforms, and enemies.
First, head right and climb the ladder. Then make a left, take the ladder
down, and head right. Get on the ladder, wait until the enemy is under you,
and press <A> to land on his head. Walk left and hit the lever, then head back
up the two ladders. Walk all the way right and climb the ladder that leads to
the top. While you're doing this, the green platform at the bottom of the area
will be floating right.
Head left along the top platform, killing the enemy up here along the way.
Drop down to the left, take out the enemy here and grab his key. You don't
actually need the key for this piece, but you do need it to exit this area, so
might as well grab it now. Drop or climb down the ladder on your left, then
drop off the ledge to the right. You should be on the bottom, near where you
started.
Now, head back to the lever. Flip it, then rewind back to the ledge above the
entry door (the last ledge before reaching the bottom). Use the left bumper
to speed up your rewind so that you get there in time to jump to the green
platform as it moves left. After landing on it, jump to the ladder and climb
up, where a green puzzle piece awaits you.
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[#24] - [w3l8p2]
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From #23...drop back down to the ground, go back to the lever, and flip it one
more time. Climb up the ladder so that you can leap to the platform when it
stops on the right-hand side. Open the door with the key from earlier.
Now, you may have noticed this piece when you first entered. It is in an
alcove that opens on the right side of the wall on the right side of the
screen. It has a barrier sliding down in front of it, and is also blocked by
the door. Often, people think that to reach it, you must do something
the area that #23 is in, but this is false.
For now, climb up the ladder past the door. To the right is a death pit with
a climbing surface above it. Climb across, watching out for fireballs from
below. Once you reach the other side, fall or climb down the ladder. To your
left, you will see the two cannons that are spouting fireballs, as well as two
more cannons in the top corners spouting enemies. Amidst all of this is a
death pit below and a climbing surface. You need to climb all the way across
to the left, dropping onto the bottom left cannon.
To the left of the cannon, in a tiny alcove, is a green switch. Flip it, and a
green platform with a strange green aura glowing above it will rise from the
death pit. Climb over to it, and stand on it. This is a new game mechanic.
Essentially, what this platform does is anchor you physically, while allowing
you to manipulate time. If you rewind while standing on this kind of platform,
you won't move, but time will still move backwards.
While standing on the freeze platform, rewind as far as you can. Again, use
the bumpers to make things go by quicker. Once the screen starts warping and
things become silent, you have reached the point where you entered the level.
Now, quickly jump onto the climbing surface, climb right, and hop down onto the
cannon. Climb the ladder, and head left over this climbing surface. Jump down
the ladder, and clamber into the alcove where your puzzle piece awaits. If
the barrier is closed, you either didn't rewind all the way or you were too
slow in reaching the piece. Either way, just try again until you get it.
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World 4 - Time and Place
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World 4 changes the way that time works in the game. For the duration of this
world, time is frozen until Tim moves. When Tim moves to the right, time moves
forward. When Tim moves to the left, time moves backward. Rewinding only
affects Tim's position, not the actual timeflow. This leads to some very
interesting puzzle possibilities.
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[No pieces]
Again, the first level is a simple introduction to the concepts behind this
world.
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World 4 - Level 2 - Jumpman
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[3 pieces - #25, #26, #27]
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[#25] - [w4l2p1]
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When you enter this room, you will notice a familiar level structure. That's
right, it's Donkey Kong! An homage to a great game, and also relevant to the
plot, as it is meant to convey Tim's youth, as evidenced by the lullaby music
in the level.
But I digress. You will notice the puzzle piece sitting where the Princess
ought to be. However, if you try to climb up to it, an enemy will block your
way on the second-to-last ladder. However, there is another way up. If you
stand on the far left of the area, you will see an enemy falling from the top
level. There is also a small brown platform that you can use to jump to this
enemy, just slightly below the big ape.
You need to bounce off of this enemy from the platform up to the small ledge
that sticks out behind Donkey Kong. Then, jump over him, and climb the ladder
to the Princess. I mean...puzzle piece. Just so you know, if you are trying
to get all three pieces in this room, you need to get this one last, as it is
not green, and you will have to walk left of it to reach #26, which will reset
its position.
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[#26] - [w4l2p2]
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Directly to the right of #25, you will see #26, guarded on both sides by doors.
The key is further along to the right, on top of a series of platforms being
razed by fireballs. By climbing the ladders and carefully timing your jumps
over the fireballs, you will be able to reach it, however. You may want to
grab #27 while you're up here.
Then, all you need to worry about is which door to open. You must reject your
first instinct: to open the door closest to you. For whatever reason, the key
will not work in this door, and will simply break. Instead, you must walk back
over to the Donkey Kong area, climb up to where #25 was, and open the left
door. It may be wise to get #25 in the process.
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[#27] - [w4l2p3]
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To the right of the key from #26. Just hop down and grab it while you're up
there, and you'll be good to go.
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World 4 - Level 3 - Just Out of Reach
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2 pieces - #28, #29]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#28] - [w4l3p1]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As you enter the level, you will see three platforms, two of which are
reachable via a centrally located ladder. On the left side of the lowest
platform, there is a switch. The switch controls the two barriers on the
right side of the middle platform, to the right of which rests a green puzzle
piece.
To get this piece, first climb up and hit the switch. Next, climb up to the
middle platform. You will see the enemy makes it impossible to make it through
the barriers. So, what you need to do is walk to the left edge of the middle
platform. Below is the switch, and an enemy. You have to jump on the enemy,
making sure to move just slightly left of the switch, and bounce back up to the
middle platform. You will know you've done it right if you walk right and the
barriers don't move.
Since they aren't moving, you can easily bounce on the enemy to make it over
the barrier. Walk under the second barrier, and the piece is yours.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#29] - [w4l3p2]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From #28...the platform above you has been carrying an enemy this whole time,
and he will drop in front of you as you move to the right. You need to bounce
on him up to the upper ledge of the next section, where the ladder is. Then,
you need to jump back to the point where the enemy is alive, and try to land on
him again, only this time, further to the right. Repeat this process until he
is alive, and directly beneath you.
Now, walk right, ignoring the ladder, and hop to the right-hand platform with a
ladder leading down. The enemy will pick up the green key. Now, hop back over
to the left, over to where you were jumping on the enemy. Jump as far left as
you can while still killing the enemy, and land to the right on the lower
platform. He will drop the key, so pick it up, and reverse back to being on
the top platform with the ladder.
Climb the ladder, which will lead to to the platform with the green door, and
your puzzle piece.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 4 - Level 4 - Hunt!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1 piece - #30]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#30] - [w4l4p1]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A lot of people have trouble with this, so bear with me. First, climb to the
very top. Kill the enemy up here. Now, never walk past this leftmost point,
or he will come back. Now, your next target is one platform down, on the left
side. Take him out without resurrecting the one above. Move right, drop down
another level, and kill the enemy on the left hand platform, again watching
for the previous enemy. Next, bounce off of the enemy on the bottom, bouncing
to the right hand platform. Now, the tricky part.
The enemy on this platform has to be bounced on twice. Basically, stand to his
right. Hop on his head, moving left slightly. At the apex of your bounce,
hold right, bouncing off his head a second time, killing him, and landing on
the upper-right platform where the final enemy resides. Kill him, and the
door will open. It happens to be green, so don't worry if the last enemy
comes back to life. Grab your piece and move on.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 4 - Level 5 - Movement By Degrees
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2 pieces - #31, #32]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#31] - [w4l5p1]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first thing you will notice here is that to your right, there are venus
flytraps that have the green property. They move when you don't. Next thing
you should notice is that there is a green key directly to your left, in an
alcove only an enemy can reach. Finally, there is an enemy on the far right.
Basically, you need to time your movements to the right so that both you and
the enemy don't get gobbled by the carnivorous vegetation. There's no real
easy way to do this, but trial and error will get you through the first two
flytraps. The third one is tricky though. You will need to climb the ladder
where the enemy started, and hop onto the small platform on the left. Watch
for when the flytrap is down, then hop to the platform on the right, run across
it, and jump down to the ground below. Continue heading right until you hear
the key sound effect. Once you hear that sound, you can head back towards the
flytraps. As soon as the enemy hits a flytrap, he will drop the key, so pick
it up and head up the ladder to the right.
Make your way left, avoiding the bunny, and up the ladder. Hop across the gap,
open the door, and the piece is yours.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#32] - [w4l5p2]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From the #31...after dropping back down onto the lower platform, move right
onto the block-shaped platform with ladders on either side. Move onto the
ladder, and climb up to the platform above. The piece sits above you, yet you
have no way of reaching it. Stand here for a moment, on the far left side of
this platform. In this position, the leftmost flytrap of the set of three on
the upper right is within its pipe.
Now, head right and jump down to the ground. Keep moving right until the
rightmost flytrap is in its pipe, then wait for an enemy to walk over it. Once
he has made it past, immediately rewind a couple of seconds to where the middle
flytrap is in its pipe, and tap <X> once that flytrap is in a safe position.
When the enemy makes his way over that pipe, rewind all the way to where you
were standing on the platform beneath the puzzle piece, which will make the
leftmost pipe safe.
The enemy should walk across the final pipe and drop into the area with the
puzzle piece. Wait for him to bounce off the left wall and head back to the
right, where he will bounce off the right wall as he drops onto your platform.
Now, bounce off of his head, and you will find yourself next to the piece.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 4 - Level 6 - Movement, Amplified
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2 pieces - #33, #34]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#33] - [w4l6p1]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The concept here is very similar to #31. Again, a key to your left, time-
immune flytraps in the center, and an enemy on the right. This time, however,
there are more flytraps, two of which are right next to one another and move
pretty quickly.
To start, ignore the enemy. Walk over to the ladder and climb into the first
layer of clouds. Head all the way left. Begin walking right, which will make
the enemy move left. Help him navigate the first two flytraps, then move him
as close as you can to the two quick ones. As soon as they are down, run right
and don't stop until you hear the key sound.
Start heading back, and the enemy will probably drop the key. Grab it, and
climb the ladder to the first layer of clouds. It will be tempting to climb
to the second layer and open the right-hand door, but it's another trick door,
and will only break your key. Instead, head to the left and climb the ladder
over here. Now, the clouds will be moving against you, and you have a quick
flytrap to deal with. As soon as the flytrap is down, jump to the right. When
you make it, just open the door and claim your puzzle piece.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#34] - [w4l6p2]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a simple piece to reach, but requires some tricky jumping. You may
notice a large, fast moving cloud as you move around the level. You have to
use it as a stepping stone to reach the platforms high above the exit door
where the puzzle piece is.
To do this, climb up the rightmost ladder to the very top, where the fake door
is. Next, move right onto the cannon. Move as far right as you can, then make
a leap of faith to the right. If you have some platforming skills, you will
land on the cloud as it's zooming by. Then, jump off of the right edge of the
cloud, onto the platforms where the piece awaits.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 4 - Level 7 - Fickle Companion
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2 pieces - #35, #36]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#35] - [w4l7p1]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
People have been having a lot of trouble with this one on the boards, so I will
try to break it down as best I can. To your immediate right is a key. But it
is no ordinary key...it follows the rules of world 4. To be more precise, when
you move right, you will continue to hold it. But when you move left, it will
follow its previous timepath, regardless of whether or not you're there to hold
it.
First, grab the key and jump over the pit. Climb the next ladder you come to,
and continue to a lever. Pull the lever, and drop down to a square block. A
time-immune enemy is moving around down here. Kill him, and watch for his
replacement to come flying out of the cannon up above. What you need to do is
get him to land on the platform, then run left so that the platform moves back
to its original position with the enemy on it. Once he is up there, keep
running left, to the ladder. Climb it quickly, and if you're moving fast
enough, you will be to the left of the enemy as he walks towards you.
At some point along the line, he will have picked up the key. Don't worry, we
wanted that to happen. One he has moved to the left of ladder that leads to
the door and the puzzle piece, bounce on him and grab the key. Be careful to
bounce on him with enough momentum to grab the key and move right so that it
remains in your grasp. If it teleports down to the ground, you'll have to try
again.
Now that you have the key, climb the ladder, open the door, and grab the piece.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#36] - [w4l7p2]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From #35...drop back down to the bottom. You may have to move left to get the
key again. Now, move right to the area where the enemy is moving around.
There is a door over here, but dont open it quite yet. First kill the enemy,
then quickly jump up, open the door, run right, drop down, and run left. You
should be below the left side of the door. The door will be closed, and the
key floating in front of it, to be picked up by a new enemy. Once he has it,
go all the way to the right. When the enemy moves towards you, jump over it so
that you're on its left side, then kill it and grab the key. All you have left
to do is jump up, open the door, and get the puzzle piece.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 5 - Time and Decision
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This set of levels uses another new game mechanic. Here, there are purple
objects that your shadow can interact with. To summon your shadow, you simply
rewind. Your shadow will appear, and perform the actions that you rewound
through. For example, if you jump on an enemy and then promptly rewind to
before you jumped on him, your shadow will appear and jump on him, regardless
of what you do from there.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1 piece - #37]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#37] - [w5l1p1]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This piece is part of yet another introductory puzzle. All you have to do to
get the piece at the bottom of the pit is jump down, grab it, and then rewind
until you are back at the top. You will see your shadow jump down and grab it
for you. The only reason he can do this, however, is because the piece is
purple.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 5 - Level 2 - So Distant
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2 pieces - #38, #39]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#38] - [w5l2p1]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As you enter, you will notice a broad platform above your head, with a ladder
leading up to it to your right. On the platform is a purple switch on the
right, and a closed barrier on your left, which guards a ladder leading up to
the puzzle piece.
Climb the first ladder, walk left, and stand next to the barrier for a second.
Now, walk over to the switch, flip it, then rewind to when you were standing in
front of the barrier. Your shadow will run over and flip the switch, so hold
left so that you can make it under the barrier in the short span that it is
open. Climb the ladder and grab the piece.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#39] - [w5l2p2]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From #38...drop down to the bottom and head right. Here, you will see a raised
central platform with an enemy walking across it. Above and to the right is a
platform with a purple switch, and above and to the left is a platform with
another barrier, guarding the climbing surface that leads to the puzzle piece.
This puzzle builds on the basic concept of #38, just with one additional
action: bouncing on the enemy. To begin, stand on the left edge of the central
raised platform. Now, run right, bounce off of the enemy, and hit the switch.
Rewind back to standing on the left edge, and bounce off of the enemy to the
opposite platform where the barrier will begin to raise, activated by your
shadow. When it is open, run through, climb the wall, and grab the piece.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 5 - Level 3 -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2 pieces - #40, #41]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#40] - [w5l3p1]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Above the entrance door is another platform which can be reached via a climbing
surface on the right. To the left of the top of the surface is a purple door
guarding a puzzle piece. Begin by climbing up to the top and walking to the
right edge of the platform.
Now, this part can be kind of tricky. What you need to do is jump down, grab
the key, turn around and walk left, and jump as far as you can into the death
pit. Once you've landed, reverse back to standing on the edge of the upper
platform. Your shadow will mimic your movements, leaving the key on the left
edge of the death pit. If you are fast enough, and you initially jumped far
enough into the pit, you may be able to grab the key from the shadow as he
falls into the pit. If not, keep reading.
Climb down, and stand on the left side of the pit. Jump into the pit again,
this time landing directly on top of the key and facing left. The left facing
is very important, because if you do this correctly, the shadow will grab the
key as he is dying, and it will pop up just enough that Tim can grab it if he
is standing on the extreme edge of the platform.
Once you have the key in hand, climb back up, unlock the door, and the puzzle
piece is yours.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#41] - [w5l3p2]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From #40...walk back to the right along the platform, then hop the gap onto the
next one. This is a large, boxy platform that is supported below by a ladder,
which leads to the puzzle piece inside the box. This would be simple, were it
not for the catbunny that guards the ladder.
Stand on the upper left edge of the platform. Now, run right, drop down, and
walk left underneath the platform. You should get the catbunny's attention, so
walk a little further right, but without leaving the shelter of the platform.
If the bunny kills you while you're on the edge there, even better. Once it
appears that his attention is entirely on you, rewind back to standing on the
upper left edge of the box.
Your shadow will head out and begin distracting the bunny. Meanwhile, drop
down on the left side of the box, where the key was. However, don't walk under
the box until the catbunny is on the opposite side. Once he his, run across to
the ladder, and climb up, snagging the puzzle piece.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 5 - Level 4 - Crossing the Gap
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[3 pieces - #42, #43, #44]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#42] - [w5l4p1]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before we begin, let's take a look at the lay of the land. Above you is a
platform with a cannon shooting purple enemies, above which is a small ledge
sticking out of the left wall. Further up and to the right is the platform
with the puzzle piece. The platform with the cannon is separated from another
to the right by a floating platform controlled by a switch on the right-hand
side. This larger, right-hand platform can be reached via a couple of ladders
even farther to the right.
First, take the ladders up to the cannon. Stand in front of it for a moment,
then drop down right and kill the purple enemy. Now, reverse back to the
cannon. You will see your shadow drop down, kill the enemy, and a new one pop
out of the cannon, which you can bounce on to reach the puzzle piece.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#43] - [w5l4p2]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is in the same area as #42. It's above the ladders that lead to the
cannon and the switch, on a platform that has a ladder leading to a block-
shaped platform that you can't reach by yourself. Stand next to the switch,
and when an enemy passes by down below, bounce on him. Reverse back to
standing in front of the switch, and flip it quickly. Your shadow will kill
the enemy, and a new one will pop out of the cannon. It will walk across the
real platform, then the shadow platform, over to the block. Hop on its head to
reach the puzzle piece.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#44] - [w5l4p3]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First, make sure that the platform controlled by the switch is in its left-most
position. This will provide a path for the purple enemy to take that leads it
to the area by the exit door. To the left of the exit door is a ladder that
leads to two platforms.
First, make your way to the exit door area, and kill the enemy if he's made it
here already. Next, climb to the top of the ladder to the left. Wait until
you see the enemy, then drop down and position yourself so that the enemy
bounces on your head when he drops down into the pit with the door. Now,
rewind to when you were standing on the top platform. Your shadow will drop
down, and wait for the enemy to bounce on his head.
What you need to try to do is jump across the gap, bouncing on the enemy as he
bounces off of your shadow's head. This will give you enough air to land on
the far platform with the puzzle piece, above the exit door. This may take
several tries.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 5 - Level 5 - Window of Opportunity
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2 pieces - #45, #46]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#45] - [w5l5p1]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As you enter this room, you will see this puzzle piece to your right, protected
by a platform above it and terrain on the other three sides. Climb the ladder
on top of the puzzle piece, to the broad platform above. Below, you can see
two doors, one normal and one purple, and a switch to the left of them. As you
walk right, there will be a gap, across which is an enemy with a key walking
above the canvas.
Kill the enemy and take the key. Drop down through the gap to the left, and
stand next to the normal door without opening it. Now, walk right, drop down,
and walk left to the purple door, open it. Rewind back to standing next to the
normal door. Now, quickly open the door, jump left on top of the purple door,
and hop up the platforms. If you're quick, you'll be able to make it on top of
the door and up before the shadow opens the purple door. Now flip the switch
and head back to the puzzle piece.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#46] - [w5l5p2]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Head to the canvas, and climb the ladder to the right of it. Jump right to the
platform with a purple switch and a platform next to it. This switch controls
the broad platform below, which rises to the floating purple switch. That
switch controls the small platform that rises to the puzzle piece at the very
top.
First, climb down to the broad platform. Stand here a second, then walk back
to the upper switch. Flip it, and rewind back to standing on the lower, broad
platform. Your shadow will run up and hit the switch for you. Now, when the
broad platform stops rising, wait a second, then hit the purple switch. Now,
rewind again until you're on the upper platform. Run over to the upper switch
and hit it as soon as your shadow walks onto the broad platform.
This way, your shadow will hit the lower switch for you when the broad platform
rises. Make sure you're on the small upper platform when he does, and you will
be able to reach the puzzle piece.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 5 - Level 6 - Lair
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1 piece - #47]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#47] - [w5l6p1]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before you do anything, kill the boss. He's carrying a key you need. You
really shouldn't need help with that, just apply the principles of this world.
(Note that the boss is purple.) With him out of the way, grab the key. Now,
walk left to the right edge of the left climbing surface (below the left
chandelier). Wait a second, then make your way left, climbing up and left,
opening the purple door, and hit the switch. Now, reverse back to standing
below the chandelier. Run right, open the door, and run to the exit door.
There is a barrier blocking the piece, but when your shadow hits the switch, it
will open briefly, allowing you to grab the puzzle piece.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 5 - Level 7 - Fragile Companion
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1 piece - #48]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#48] - [w5l7p1]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This piece gives a lot of people a headache, but it just requires an
understanding of how the shadow works. First, climb up the climbing wall, and
drop onto the platform with the enemy carrying the green key. Kill him and
grab the key. Now, to your right are two purple doors, blocking the puzzle
piece.
Remember that green keys, once used, are broken forever. So, in order to open
both doors with one key, you need your shadow to open one of them.
Essentially, this boils down to momentum. You need to run at the first door,
but hit rewind before you open it, so that your shadow, mimicking your
movements, runs at the door. However, he won't stop, because you were still
running when you hit rewind, so he will open the door, and you can open the
second, opening the path to the piece. This may take several tries to get
right, but don't get discouraged. Just leave and come back if you screw up.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 6 - Hesitance
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here we are, the last world with puzzle pieces in it. Again, we are given a
new time power, and it's an interesting one. You have a ring, which can be
placed with <Y>, that slows down the time around it. Before now, time was only
controlled directly through Tim's actions. But with the ring, you can create a
"time field", an area where time flows slower than normal. What's even more
interesting is that the ring's power is radial. This means that the farther
away from the ring you are, the less of an effect it has.
This world has some of the most difficult - and fascinating - puzzles in the
game. Have fun.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 6 - Level 1 - The Pit?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[No pieces]
This level is basically a training area for the use of the ring. The big sign
tells you what to press, and you're just supposed to play around with it before
moving on.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 6 - Level 2 - There and Back Again
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1 piece - #49]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#49] - [w6l2p1]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This level layout may look familiar. This time, the key is normal, as well as
the barrier. So you need to slow the barrier down. Put the ring directly
below the barrier as soon as you enter, then climb up, grab the key, and climb
back down. Avoid the enemies as best you can. Then, before the barrier
closes, open the door and nab the piece.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 6 - Level 3 - Phase?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2 pieces - #50, #51]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#50] - [w6l3p1]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Again, this puzzle will look familiar, but it has some key differences. Most
obviously, there is only one cloud cannon. To begin, climb up to the platform
that the clouds are crossing. Wait until one is within jump range, and hop to
it. Once you're on top, quickly drop your ring. When the next cloud is close
enough, pick up the ring and jump to it. Repeat the process until you can land
on the cannon, and the piece is yours.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#51] - [w6l3p2]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the right of #50 is another cloud cannon. However, this one only produces
one cloud at a time. First, climb up to the very top of the climbing wall, to
the broad platform across the top. There is a flower up here. It actually
marks the best place to put the ring. Drop it here, then climb down to the
platform that the clouds are being destroyed by. Now, jump to a cloud when its
just barely within your jump distance. Run across it, then make a leap of
faith to the right. The last cloud will disappear, as you hang inside the time
field. You should just barely land on the next cloud as it is appearing. Now
just hop over and get the piece.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 6 - Level 4 - Cascade
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[3 pieces - #52, #53, #54]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#52] - [w6l4p1]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This level can be very confusing, especially when you're trying to figure out
where to start. For our purposes, we will begin with the simplest piece to
obtain. This is the one at the top left of the level.
First, walk right and climb up the ladder to the top, avoiding the fireballs.
To the left is a small death pit that a cannon is launching enemies into. Hop
over onto the left side of it. Now, place the ring at this edge of the pit.
You will see that the enemies become spaced much closer together as they are
falling in. Now, being careful not to get hit, bounce off of one, and as you
are falling from the bounce, land on another. You should gain enough height
that if you hold left, you will hit one more enemy at the maximum height of
their launch. If you manage to land on this third enemy, you will propel
yourself to the platform above, which leads to the piece on the left.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#53] - [w6l4p2]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From #52...head back to the right, over the death pit, past the ladder, to
where the enemies are dropping down from their cannon onto your platform, then
further down where they are killed by fireballs. Avoid the enemies and drop to
where they are being killed. Hop over the fireballs, moving towards the cannon
from which they are being fired. Jump across the gap, timing it so that you
are jumping over a fireball at the same time, then quickly hop on top of the
cannon. Place the ring here, so that it slows down the rate of fire of the
cannon.
Now the enemies will be able to survive long enough to make it to the right
edge of the platform to the left of the cannon, which is right below the piece.
Bounce on one of their heads to reach it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#54] - [w6l4p3]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the piece right above the entrance door. It has a fairly complex
solution, so I've tried to make the steps as clear as possible.
Make your way to the large upper platform beneath the small platform with the
enemy cannon, near #53. Place the ring right where the enemies land on this
platform, then bounce off an enemy so that you're up on the cannon platform.
From here, let an enemy fall down, then jump - don't drop - onto his head. If
you hold right, you should just make it onto the opposite high platform. Up
here is a key. Grab it, then drop down and get the ring.
Now, repeat the process you used in #53 to keep one of the enemies alive. Put
the ring on the cannon to slow the fireballs. Once the enemy has made it past
the platform they were being killed on, pick the ring back up and drop down to
where the enemy has fallen. Follow closely behind him.
To the left is a cannon floating in midair. You need to bounce on the enemy
from this ledge to reach it. Wait until the enemy drops to the floor, then run
and jump on him. It may take several tries to get on top of the cannon, just
rewind if you screw up.
Now that you're on this cannon, place the ring as far right on top of it as you
can. This will slow the fire rate enough that you can make it through the
passage the fireballs are traveling through. So drop left, climb the ladder,
and do so.
Open the door with the key you've been carrying around, and hit the switch.
This will cause the platform behind the cannon shooting enemies into the death
pit to rise, allowing you access to the puzzle piece. Leave this spot by
waiting until the next fireball comes through the passage, then run through,
climb the ladder, and head left to get the puzzle piece.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 6 - Level 5 - Impassable Foliage
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[2 pieces - #55, #56]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#55] - [w6l5p1]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yet another throwback level. The puzzle piece is above you, beneath an enemy
cannnon that is spouting them out at a serious rate. Beneath their landing
platform are two normal barriers that are about to intersect, with the
horizontal one being blocked by the vertical one.
In this case, you need to put the ring down beneath the vertical barrier, so
that it slows down enough to allow the horizontal barrier to pass. However,
you aren't done yet. Climb the ladder to the right, and you will see an
extremely fast moving flytrap above you. Now, most people's first instinct is
to place the ring next to the flytrap. The problem with that is that it slows
Tim down as well, making it so that you and the flytrap are going the same
pace, just a lot slower.
Instead, put the ring on the platform below the flytrap pipe. This will still
slow the flytrap, but allow you to move faster. Climb up and move past it,
celebrate your success by bouncing on some enemies, and grab the puzzle piece.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#56] - [w6l5p2]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From #55...make your way back to the right, past the flytrap. Grab your ring
if you want, I don't use it for this next piece. Make your way right from the
flytrap, and onto the next broad platform above the exit door. To your right
is a death wall, and to your left the ground is a different color, with a small
platform above it where the puzzle piece rests. Above you are three flytraps,
and a green enemy cannon to the right of them. The green enemies are walking
out and being killed by the flytraps.
You need at least two of the enemies to survive the flytrap minefield. That
way, you can double bounce on them on the left raised portion and reach the
puzzle piece. In order to do this, you need to synch up the flytraps. Place
the ring under the middle flytrap, and watch the flytraps. When you observe a
moment when all three are in their pipes, immediately pick up the ring. Wait
a cycle or two, making sure they are synched.
Now, press rewind, and either tap <X> or press <RB> at the moment when all
three are down. When two or three enemies make it across, let go of <X> and
run left to where the enemies are. When two are on the bottom, before they
head right into the area where you were standing, double bounce on them to
reach the piece. You probably won't get it the first time, but that's ok.
Just rebuild your rewind buffer and try again with another set of enemies.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 6 - Level 6 - Elevator Action
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[3 pieces - #57, #58, #59]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#57] - [w6l6p1]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the immediate right of the entrance door is a ladder that leads to a locked
door, which blocks the puzzle piece. Walk past it, and above you will see a
complex of fireball cannnons and ladders. Climb up the ladders, being cautious
of the fireballs. Only the middle ones move faster than you, so it shouldn't
be too difficult. Once you're at the top, head left, hit the switch, and ride
the platform down.
The key is down here, but a catbunny is chilling here too. Take him out, grab
the key, and hit the switch down here to ride back up. While you're in the
shaft, walk as far right as possible, so that you're hugging the wall. When
you reach the top, drop your ring, and run right, hitting the switch in the
process. Start making your way down the ladders.
This will send the elevator down with the ring riding it. If you're quick, the
ring will slow down each cannon as you reach the platform it shoots at,
allowing you to pass. If you can't seem to make it, rewind and try again. Try
timing flipping the switch so that a fireball is reaching the far wall as you
reach the first ladder.
Once you're through, climb the ladder, open the door, and get the puzzle piece.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#58] - [w6l6p2]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From the entrance door, head right, past the ladders and fireballs, towards the
exit. Above this position is the puzzle. To begin, we'll be getting the piece
on the upper-right. Climb the ladder to the left of the exit door, and jump up
to the switch. Place the ring here, and it will slow down the fireball cannon
above you. Now, hit the switch, and wait for the upper left platform with the
ladder to come down. Another platform will slide in from the right, and the
two will form one large platform.
These platforms are time anchors, so jump onto the one that has the ladder, on
its rightmost edge, and start rewinding until it's back up top. You should be
standing just to the right of a thin wall, separating you and the ladder. Now
you can jump up and over through where the fireballs are coming, then up on top
of the cannon to the puzzle piece.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#59] - [w6l6p3]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From #58...go back and grab your ring, and hit the switch again. The platforms
will lower back down, jump over to them and place the ring where the ladder
sits. Jump back to the right, and hit the switch...again. Wait until both
platforms are back at their starting positions, and then...hit the switch.
Again. I promise, this is the last time though.
You will see the top platform move slower than the one that moves to the left,
so that it moves past the one moving down. It will stop farther to the left,
next to a small platform. Now, climb up the ladder and walk left to another
switch. Hit it, and watch as the ladder drops down from above. However, it's
too short to reach the puzzle piece.
But still, make your way towards it and climb up, getting your ring in the
process. It lets you reach the platform that flew over here earlier. Stand on
it, and reverse the ladder back into position. Now, place the ring on the left
edge of the normal (not the time anchor) platform, right next to where the
ladder would be.
Go back to the switch that dropped the ladder and hit it again. Double back
to the ladder, climb up next to your ring and stand on the time anchor. Now,
rewind back, watching the ladder bounce back up. When it reaches the top,
stop rewinding, and run left. You should jump onto the ladder and start
climbing as soon as you can, and if you're fast enough, you'll reach the top.
The reason this works is that you are temporarily immune to time powers when
you leave a time anchor, signified by the green glow around Tim's body. So,
you are immune to your ring for a couple of seconds, long enough to jump onto
the dropping ladder and climb halfway up or more.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 6 - Level 7 - In Another Castle
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1 piece - #60]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[#60] - [w6l7p1]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here we go, the last puzzle piece in the game. Assuming, of course, that you
got them in order, which most people don't. But I digress.
First, climb up the ladder to the right of the entrance door and place your
ring on the orange platform for four to five seconds. You'll understand the
purpose to this in a moment. Now, pick the ring back up and climb down. Hop
across the death pit, and walk over to the small cannon shooting fireballs up
the ladder shaft.
Place your ring next to it, and climb up. Make your way left, where you will
see the sparks rising from the floor that indicate the presence of a time
anchor. Ignore the switch for now, and stand on the time anchor. Now, rewind
until you see your ring appear on the orange platform from a moment ago.
Hit the switch, and you will see the platform move out from under the key and
your ring. They will drop in slow motion. While this is happening, you need
to fall down to the right of the ladder, and run back left towards the death
pit. Jump across when the key and ring are within your reach, and grab both.
You need the ring as well as the key, so rewind if you miss it.
Now, just place the ring next to the cannon again, climb up, open the door, and
the final puzzle piece is yours.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In case you hadn't guessed it by now, the final world is World 1. In this
world, time moves...backwards. Yep. Your rewind button is now your "play"
button, so to speak. They even went so far as to order the levels in reverse.
Luckily, the puzzles here aren't too tricky, as there are no puzzle pieces to
collect. Just make it from entrance to exit. That doesn't mean it will be
easy, however.
To reach this world, you must collect every puzzle piece and assemble each
painting within its frame. Once you have done this, the ladder to the attic
will be repaired and you can enter the door above.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 1 - Level 4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In all of these levels, you will be applying the principle you learned in World
4: that enemies moving back in time are invincible. The reason for this is
obvious: the moment you kill them, they have already moved back to before you
killed them.
All you need to do here is stand where the enemies are flying up from their
deaths. This will change their moment of death to when you bounce on them, and
they will begin to move around the bottom floor. Then, all you have to do is
bounce off of one up to the door.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 1 - Level 3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Same principle here, but a more interesting execution. Stand where the enemies
are appearing, and when a couple are moving around, climb the ladder. You will
see the enemies fly up to the middle level. When they do this, they are on
their way to you, so prepare to bounce off of one to make it to the door. All
you really need to do is remember that they will meet you halfway.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 1 - Level 2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is almost exactly the same as Level 3, except that the ladder is broken.
Well, considering that the enemies don't die...the answer should be clear. You
need to "ride" an enemy up to the top. First, let two enemies live on the
bottom floor, then walk right. Watch the bounce pattern for when they reverse
back to the middle floor, then time your jump so that you remain bouncing on
them all the way up. Continue the process to the top floor, then let the enemy
you were riding get sucked back into the cannon. Now, the second enemy will be
coming along, and all you need to do is the same bounce from Level 3 to reach
the door.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World 1 - Level 1 - Braid
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here we are folks, the last level. Climb down the ladders and watch the scene
above you. While you're waiting, keep one thing in mind for this level: SPEED.
You will need to RUN through this level. I mean it. As fast as you possibly
can, and then some more. The wall of fire on the left is no joke, and WILL
kill you if you dawdle. Perfect your platforming, is all I can say. Your
first time through, you will probably have to rewind through several sections
repeatedly, in order to make it.
First, head right, over a couple of platforms. Wait for the princess to flip
the barrier, then head right to the ladders. Drop - DON'T climb - when going
down the ladders. Wait for the flytrap, walk right, and wait for the barrier.
This will probably be your first close call with the fire wall, but be patient.
If you jump too early, you'll slide back into the fire. So you need to jump
forward at the last possible second to guarantee your success, and jump again
to propel yourself further forward once you are on top of the slowly lowering
barrier.
Next is another close call. You have to wait until the flames are licking your
coattails, then make a leap of faith into the pit. The princess will flip the
lever at the last possible second, and a platform will rise out of the pit.
Keep running right. You will come to a ladder above a cannon sucking in
fireballs. Drop down between them, hop over the next, and jump to the ladder.
Climb up, hit the switch, climb onto the ladder and hit jump to fall down.
Move quickly right. Jump onto the climbing wall, again dropping when moving
down. Jump over the death pit and bounce on an enemy to reach the next
platform.
This is the part that screws most people up. You need to try to continue
bouncing on the enemy, up to the platform with the switch. Throw it quickly,
and then you need to drop down BETWEEN enemies going into and out of the next
passage. This is very difficult, and the window of opportunity is very slim.
An enemy will be walking out of it (to the left), and as soon as he is out of
the way, you need to be in his place, before the enemy walking from the left
occupies the gap. Just rewind if you make a mistake, and you'll get it
eventually.
Once you're through, hop up and onto the orange platform, which the princess
will raise for you. Continue right, under the stairs, and wait for the
flytraps. You'll probably get nervous at the second one, but he will go into
his pipe just in time. Watch the chandelier fix itself, and keep moving right.
There aren't any more real obstacles, so just run right, climb the climbing
wall, and...
The screen will flash, the music will stop, and the fire will disappear.
Rewind.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FAQ
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These have been made up by me, based on questions I frequently see on the
message boards. This does not include puzzle piece questions.
Q: How do I rewind?
A: Press <X>.
Q: What are these green things?
A: They are objects that are immune to your rewinds.
Q: What are these purple things?
A: They are objects that your shadow can interact with.
Q: What does this platform with green/white sparks coming out of the top do?
A: It is a time anchor. If you rewind while on top of it, Tim won't move, but
time will still move backwards.
Q: Hey, what happened to World 1? Why do I start the game at World 2?
A: Just keep playing, you'll find out.
Q: How do I get into the attic?
A: Find all the puzzle pieces and assemble the paintings.
Q: What's up with these blocks with letters on them in the bathroom?
A: They are the PC controls. The developer left them in the 360 version on
accident.
Q: Why aren't the stars in your guide?
A: My first priority is finishing the actual puzzle pieces. However, once I'm
done with everything else I will add them. Although I really don't look
forward to it, they seem very difficult to explain how to obtain.
Q: The unlockable description you submitted is wrong! There are only 60 puzzle
pieces!
A: I know, I know. I realized this immediately after I submitted the cheat,
but for whatever reason it wouldn't let me pull the submission, and decided
instead that it would give me 404 errors. If it really bothers you, use the
problem reporting form, I'd love to see it corrected.
UPDATE: They fixed it :)
Q: My puzzle pieces are stuck together in a weird way, how do I unstick them?
A: Unfortunately, you have to start over. There is a bug where if you find a
piece, combine it with another within the level portrait, leave canvas view,
and rewind to before you got the piece, the portrait will glitch and become
unsolvable. Hopefully this will be patched soon. Most people experience
this in World 2, if they killed the enemy before getting the piece above the
door.
************************************************
^
/*\ "Shoot for the Moon. even
___/***\___ if you miss, you'll land
\*********/ among the stars"
\*******/
/*******\ ...which is really where
/***/`\***\ you want to be...
'''' ''''
************************************************
In-Depth Stars Guide

Written By: Luckylime
Began August 11, 2008
straight_slinky@yahoo.com
************************************************
Table of Contents
************************************************
Version History/Legal
Introduction
World 2-2 Star [L002]
Hub-Level Star [L00H]
Secrets [L00S]
FAQ [L00F]
Acknowledgements [L00A]
************************************************
Version History/Legal
************************************************
Version 1.0: Full guide complete, all 8 stars listed:
Submitted 9/3/08
Version 1.5: Edited some minor errors, 4-7 strat revised with easier method:
Submitted 9/6/08
Version 1.75: Added alternate strat for world 2-2 star:
Submitted 9/25/08
~ As for legal issues, you may go ahead and use this guide for whatever reason
you may. All I ask is that you please do not change anything inside; and as
always, please give credit where credit is due... Thank you. If you have any
questions about the stars not listed here, or know an easier method to obtain
one of the stars, feel free to e-mail me at "straight_slinky@yahoo.com" I will
not respond to anything not on the topic nor answer any questions to which the
answer is already available in this guide.
************************************************
Introduction
************************************************
(NOTE: SPOILERS AT THE FINAL STAR!!! ALTERNATE ENDING REVEALED!!!)
Hello, and welcome to my in-depth guide on how to obtain the eight hidden stars
in Braid. Since there arent that many guides on this subject, and even I had
difficulty searching the web for the answers, Ive decided to write this guide.
I will try my best to go into as much painstaking detail as I can on how to
obtain each one. Since other guides tend to be somewhat lacking and miss out on
important points, I earnestly hope this will help. I will first tell you the
general locationof the star in each level, then I will write the strategy; Ill
also give you the difficulty rating out of five stars on each one (five being
most difficult). Also, I refer to the only three monsters in the game as
monster, crab-plant, and bunny. One final note before I continue: These stars
are unquestionably some of the most difficult items to obtaian in all of the
gaming universe. Its always a good idea to take a break when you seem to hit a
wall (metaphorically speaking). The first time around Id estimate spending an
hour on each star only because the task goes to nearly impossible without really
crossing the line... let's move on.
************************************************
World 2-2 Star (The Cloud Bridge) [L002]
************************************************
Difficulty: *----
Location: On the far left side of the level, over the cliff.
How to Obtain: Alright the first star! Its the easiest one to get,
unfortunately... it also takes the longest, about 1 hour and 45 minutes. There
is really only one way to get it. Enter the level from the RIGHT door, (not the
left one) this is extremely important because there is a locked door all the way
at the left that you need to use as a stepping-stool to get the star but
entering from the left would require you to unlock the door to continue,
rendering it useless.
So first enter world 2-3 and then go back via the door you're next to, to
correctly enter world 2-2. Once you do, look all the way up and you will see a
cloud platform (it might be hard to see because of the background). This cloud
is actually moving extremely slowly to the left of the map and it is the only
access you have to the star. So make your way along the platforms to the left of
the screen and position yourself between the locked door I told you about, and
the cloud firing cannon right next to it. Now go grab a drink or two, maybe
catch up on some of your piano solos and 1hr 30mins later check back on your
"ninja" cloud. (The position between the door and the cannon is just to make
sure that Tim doesn't fall off and die while your dog chews on the controller,
you wouldn't want to come back an hour later to find out you made no progress).
Anyway, once the cloud is above the locked door, jump on the cannon, then the
door, then finally to your platform cloud. Then wait for the cloud to approach
the cliff and..... JUMP! Your star is waiting in the alcove in front of you. Oh
and if you do happen to miss your jump, just rewind time and jump again.
(Note: If you do happen to accidentally enter from the left door and already
waited out most of the required time but realized it too late, don't fret!
Theres still a way to obtain the star. Rewind in x8 speed back to when the
cloud is above the monster whos walking on the platform on the right side of
the map. Then hop on the cannon adjacent to the platform, and jump off the
monsters head to reach the cloud. Now you don't have to start from the
beginning!)
************************************************
Hub Level Star (The House) [L00H]
************************************************
Difficulty: *----
Location: Just above the left half of the World 3 Puzzle.
How to Obtain: WARNING!!! DO NOT ASSEMBLE ANY PIECES OF THE WORLD 3 PUZZLE!!!
Don't ask me how anyone figured this out, but you can only get this star before
you put together the world 3 puzzle (If you already put it together, you'll have
to restart the game if you want to get them all). Notice two of the corner
pieces of the puzzle (top left and bottom right) have a mark that resembles part
of a star (it looks like one of the points/triangles/spikes on a star). You
basically need to take these two pieces and put them together so that they make
up the bottom part of the star. Then you position the half star you made in the
top left area of the frame, because believe it or not, the top part of the star
is already in the window (the horizontal black rectangle. I know, that's a
window!?). Look closely at the window and you can see the top point on the star,
then position your half star accordingly.
This may take a few tries though, the programmers were very strict with the
spacing of the puzzle pieces. Even if it looks perfect it might not work, but
don't give up.It snot a glitch. Keep trying until....
There's a floating star in Tim's bedroom... but how can you get it down? Go to
the world 2 puzzle in the previous room and use the platform in your (hopefully)
completed puzzle to jump up over the wall between the two rooms. Just move the
puzzle down through its frame and hop on the platform, then jump and quickly hit
B to move the puzzle closer under you. keep doing that until your close enough
to jump on top of the dividing wall, then the star is all yours.
************************************************
World 4-5 Star (Movement by Degrees) [L045]
************************************************
Difficulty: ***--
Location: Above the cannon in the top right corner of the level.
How to Obtain: The first hard-to-get star is right here, its going to be hell
for me explain and for you to get the star... Enter the level and make your way
to the area with the two vertical ladders toward the right. Climb the first
ladder and then climb up the second one and drop on the platform to the left of
you at the top. Move to the left until you're under the outline of the puzzle
piece that is on the platform above you (assuming you already got that piece).
What you need to do next, you need to repeat three times so Ill only explain it
once. You have to run to the right and drop all the way down to the floor below.
Then keep running right until the crab-plant, that is closest to the cannon, is
all the way down. Now here's the hard part, the timing is tricky. Once the plant
is down, hit X then QUICKLY hit the right trigger. This will effectively pause
time... except the monsters will still be moving. For this entire next maneuver,
keep the X button held down...
Each of the 3 times you do this, your goal is to get 1 single monster across;
basically you want to focus on whats happening with the monster and NOT worry
about Tim (Since Tim is safely rewinding up to the platform). So wait in your
paused mode until the monster makes it across the first crab-plant, then hit the
left trigger (once!) to rewind. Keep rewinding until the second crab-plant is
down, then hit the right trigger again to pause time. Wait for the monster to
cross over the second plant then (you guessed it) hit the left trigger again to
rewind. since the monster might not have enough time to make it over the thrid
plant before it goes down, you might need to hit the left trigger one or two
more times to rewind faster. Anyway, after the monster safely crosses, you can
finally let go of X. Now wait for the monster to fall down to your platform,
then jump on his head and up to the platform above.
Right, now repeat this (getting a monster across) once more and jump up to the
rocky area on top (its a little offscreen but still visible with a small space
for you to stand at the edge). Do the maneuver again but make sure you rewind
back to the rocky ledge. now the monster is walking on the platform below you,
so wait till right before it falls off then jump on it from your ledge and you
should end up jumping cleanly over the first crab-plant in your way...
Alright! The hard part's over! to get over the second crab-plant, try jumping
over it (don't worry its impossible) and GET HIT. In the middle of your death
you'll notice that the second crab-plant goes down. So hit X then right trigger
to pause at this time and let a monster pass over the downed plant. After it
does, quickly hit left trigger to rewind to before you got killed and jump on
the monster that just passed to get over the second crab-plant. Then easily
jump over the third crab plant and hop on the cannon. The star is on a
platform above you, so wait till the cannon shoots out a monster and jump on
him to get to said platform. Then take the star.
************************************************
World 4-7 Star (Fickle Companion) [L047]
************************************************
Difficulty: *****
Location: Off the top of the screen about center-map, to the right of a
preceding puzzle.
How to Obtian: VERY hard star. Enter the level and pick up the key infront of
you and climb up all the way up the first ladder; walk all the way to the right
to where the cannon is. Above you (offscreen) is a long platform attached to a
puzzle, and your goal is to get up there (yes, WITH THE KEY). Just ignore
anything the key is doing for next sequence because eventually it will end up
with you again. Now postion yourself on the very top of the cannon and jump all
the way down to the floor to where the monster (that came out of the cannon) is,
and kill him. Then quickly rewind back on top of the cannon and wait for another
monster to pop out...
Once a monster pops out jump on his head, then wait for Tim to reach the peak of
his jump and start to fall down again. Before he starts to fall, hit X then
right trigger to pause time. Wait for another monster to pop out, then let go of
X so that you jump off his head and higher yourself up to the plat-form. (Note:
try to NOT turn around in midair so the key doesn't rewind back to the cannon.
Basically stay facing forward the whole time but also don't move TOO much
forward or you won't jump off the second monster's head at its highest point).
Now that you're up in the puzzle area, theres no time to lose. Run all the way
to the right and jump over the block and off the platform (yes, jump off) to the
lower area again. Quickly move left and jump over the block in your way. Fall
down the ladder and kill the new monster that is now down there. Now make your
way up to the platform thats on top of the ladder. You need to be on that
platform before a new monster shoots out.
Now notice that the key you had before is back up in the puzzle area, this means
that you did everything right so far. Anyway your goal now is to get a new
monster up into the puzzle area as well. To do this, jump off the platform and
into the gap in front of the cannon. Then keep pressing and releasing X so that
you basically stay in midair until the new monster pops out of the cannon. When
he pops out above you, hold X to rewind and (at the same time) headbutt him
toward to the platform that you jumped off of, and keep rewinding to the point
before you jumped. Now while he is still in midair, stop rewinding and jump
under him again to headbutt him higher up to the puzzle area... This is the
important part. Rewind to before you died headbutting him and STOP!
The monster is now up there with the key, so just wait on the platform until the
monster walks back and grabs it. Since the monster is time-proof, when he grabs
the key, the key also becomes time proof. Anyway to get back up to the puzzle
area, just hold X to rewind all the way back to before you jumped off.
Great! Now on to the puzzle. (Note: you MUST NOT kill your monster until a
certain point to be able to reach your star). First go left and climb the ladder
a bit but stop so that you are just hovering above the floor. Wait for the
monster toapproach you from the right, then climb the ladder a bit to give it
space to pass under you. Then move a bit down again and wait till the monster
hits the wall and turns around. Once it gets close enough, the key will
automatically transfer from the monster to you and its at THIS time that you
need to climb up the rest of the ladder before either of you touch each other.
So after you climb the ladder, go right to unlock the door, then flip the
switch. Keep walking right and you'll notice that the sliding door at the bottom
left is moving up. This allows the monster to walk under it and go further left,
but that's not important right now. Right now your goal is to get the key to the
monster WITHOUT changing your current position. So walk left past the door and
toward the ladder and the key should teleport down to where the monster is. Wait
until the monster picks it up and then hit rewind to get back in the area to the
right of the door...
What you need to do now is get your key-wielding monster to the left of the
sliding door using the switch, and close it (by walking left) so that you lock
him in there. Make sure that you don't close the door on his head because that
would kill him. So wait till he walks past it, then you walk to the left past
the switch to close the door. Now jump down there with him (but dont kill him
yet) and now you need to get the key back from him again. There's a different
way of getting the key than the first one I told you about but its your choice
on which method to use: Stand so that you are a little left of the ladder, and
face right. Then wait for him to approach from the right and quickly jump WHILE
moving to the right to take the key from him and grab the ladder.
Now it doesnt matter what happens to the monster but its probably best not to
kill him at all so you dont risk losing the key. Anyway climb the ladder and
walk right to unlock the door, then keep going right and fall down to reach your
prized star.
************************************************
World 5-4 Star (Crossing the Gap) [L005]
************************************************
Difficulty: ***--
Location: Up a flight of platforms above the cannon in the top left corner of
the map.
How to Obtain: Upon entering the level, walk right until you reach the first
ladder. Climb up and walk to the left to climb up the second ladder. Keep going
left until you reach the switch. Now hit the switch and let the platform move
all the way to the left and out of your way. By this time, the first monster
out of the cannon is walking on the floor below you. Quickly fall down and jump
on his head... once you do, rewind back to when you were standing next to the
switch and let your ghost fall down and kill the monster. This will make the
cannon spew out another monster (because there can only be one at a time). Wait
for the monster to approach the movable platform. When it does, you must fall to
the edge of the platform below so that you are centered with the gap above you.
Now the hard part...
Once the monster crosses the movable platform and falls off, jump so that you
headbutt him up to where you were standing before (near the switch). The second
he kills you though, hit X to rewind back to when you were standing next to the
switch and watch as your ghost falls down and headbutts him instead... Now the
monster is flying towards you. Now headbutt him again to send him higher then
instantly rewind back to right before you do. Your ghost will now headbutt him
instead... and as he does this it is important that you move back a bit. Not
only to set up for the next headbutt, but also to prevent the monster from
jumping off of you instead of your ghost.
Let's hold on for a second, notice that there are two floating platforms, both
having small gold blocks on either side; and you are somewhere between them.
Your goal right now is to get the monster you're working with on top of the LEFT
platform, but the problem is that now you are moving him to the right (away from
the goal). Somehow you must turn him around. Basically, you need to keep
repeating the headbutting proccess until the monster gets close to the platform
on the right, then headbutthim so that he bounces off the gold block attached to
the left of it. This will turn him in the right direction in midair, so you can
now "juggle" him to the left. Once he approaches the platform he needs to get
on, make one last leap and headbutt him onto it (of course rewind and let your
ghost do it).
You're not done yet, as your ghost headbutts the monster onto the plaform, you
need to quickly jump over the gap to your left, onto the moving platform, and
run straight for the cannon. Because once the monster lands on the platform
above, the cannon will shoot out another one (make sure you don't mess up
jumping the gap though because then you'll have to rewind and then your ghost
wont be headbutting the first monster anymore) Anyway, jump onto the monster
that just came out of the cannon and launch yourself up to the small platform
sticking out of the wall. From here its as simple as jumping onto the "golden
blocks platform" with your first monster, and jumping off of him to an offscreen
platform just above. Now just jump up the rest of the platforms and collect your
star.
************************************************
World 6-5 Star (Impassible Foliage) [L065]
************************************************
Difficulty: *****
Location: In the left side of the map, off the top of the screen above the area
where the cannon is shooting monsters into a death pit.
How to Obtain: Alright, this one takes some time so get ready. Start out by
entering the level and going right. Climb up the first ladder and notice the
really fast crab-plant above you? Your goal is to take the long way around it
and above the level (while still keeping your ring) to get to the star on the
left side of the level. So climb up the second ladder on your right, and jump
the platform to get to the area with the three crab-plants. Just like with the
puzzle piece, place your ring down under each of the plants to slow them down
until ALL THREE are basically syncronized...
You need to get two monsters sefely across the plants so stand under the
platform with the outline of the puzzle piece and wait till all three
crab-plants are down. When they are, hit X then right trigger to pause time so
that two monsters may pass. When the second monster makes it past the last plant
you can release X, at this time the first monster will now be falling down
toward you. Assuming you are on the left, wait for him to approach and jump over
him (not on) so that the second monster has time to get down there with you as
well. Once both monsters are with you, jump on the first one, then the second to
get up to the platform above.
Now that you made it up here, you need to get on top of the offscreen platform
right above you. So jump over the crab-plant on your right and then turn around
to face it. Wait till it goes down and the INSTANT it does, run left and stand
exactly where it would come up. Then without wasting any time, hit X and right
trigger to pause time (assuming the other two plants are also down)... So now
the monsters are free to pass as much as they want. Wait till one monster passes
you, then another, and just before the third monster is about to start passing
you, unpause time and jump on his head (before the crab-plant comes up and kills
him that is). After you jump on his head (but before you land), move left in
midair and the first monster that you let pass should be coming under you right
now. So double-jump off of his head and keep holding left to get above the
level. If you cant make the double jump because the monster is too slow, hold X
in midair for just half a second to stall and give him more time to get in
position.
Great! you've completed the first section! Now that you're up there, run left
and jump up to the platform ahead (The spacing for the jump is pretty tight).
You should now be able to see the star right below you. Run a bit more to the
left and align yourself between the death pit below, and the ledge to the right
of it, then drop your ring up here. Now walk all the way to the left and drop
down on top of the cannon. Now the timing for this next part is a bit tricky
because of the slow zone ring and all, but your basic goal is to jump off of
three monsters to be able to land on the platform thats right under where you
placed your ring...
As you're standing on the cannon, wait for a monster to pop out and jump on it
(you'll have to find the timing yourself). Now quickly move toward your slow
zone in midair, and wait a couple seconds so that you can time the next jump off
of the next monster. (Note: you MUST exit the slow zone from the left after each
succesive jump to be able to jump off the next monster coming out of the
cannon). This process is basically trial and error so I'll show you what you
need to do if you miss the next monster:
1. Too early (you fell before the cannon shot out another monster): If you fall
too early, rewind back to right after you jumped off the first monster and this
time, spend a little more time in your slow zone in midair than you did the
first time.
2. Too late (The cannon shot out a monster before you could fall): If you fall
too late, rewind back to right after you jumped off the first monster and this
time, spend a little less time in your slow zone in midair than you did the
first time.
So now that you know how its done, jump off the first monster, then the second,
and try to jump off the third monster EXACTLY as it exits the cannon because
that is the peak of its height and you want to get the most bounce out of that
last jump... and you should perfectly land on the platform right under your
ring. From here walk right (make sure you don't accidentally jump up to the
platform above you. But if you do, just rewind) and pick up your ring while your
at it, then just fall off and you'll pick up your star as you do.
************************************************
World 6-6 Star (Elevator Action) [L066]
************************************************
Difficulty: ***--
Location: Off screen on top of a platform above the elevator area at the start
of the level.
How to Obtain: Thankfully we're almost done, and that this star isn't nearly as
hard to get as the others. So enter the level and go to the right side of the
map where the grounded ladder is. Climb the ladder to the top and jump off the
left side and onto the floating, midair platform. Place your ring here and fall
off, then climb the same ladder again. This time jump up to the platform with
the switch and flip it. The two time-immune platforms will start to move, but
the one below you (moving to the left) will pass under the one moving downward.
After it does, it will stop at the second floating platform a little more to
the left.
While this is all happening, you might want to drop down to catch your ring when
it falls because you'll be needing it later. So after you get the ring, climb
back up the grounded ladder, and jump off the left onto where the time-immune
platform with the ladder is. Now climb up this ladder to the top and go left to
where the other switch is and flip it. This will cause the platform on your left
to move and drop its ladder. While it does this, go back and fall all the way to
the floor below, then walk left to where the new ladder dropped. Climb up this
ladder and go a little right to where the time-immune platform is (the one that
passed under the other time-immune platform when you hit the switch earlier).
Stand on it to start glowing green and hit rewind... keep rewinding until the
ladder that you just climbed up from on your left goes back up the way it came,
and when you see that the mechanical platform is beginning to rewind back under
the ladder, STOP! Now the ladder will be just starting to fall. Your goal right
now is to get above the top of the level using only your temporary time
immunity, and the ladder's "rewind-route".
So as the ladder falls, quickly jump and grab it then INSTANTLY hit the rewind
button and start mashing the right trigger (to rewind at x8 speed). NOTE: make
sure you stop rewinding before your time immunity runs out or else you'll
teleport back down to the time-immune platform below. Anyway once the mechanical
platform locks into place you can stop rewinding, climb up the rest of the
ladder, and drop off to the left. Walk a bit more left and your star will now be
in your sight...
Take note of the time-immunity zone up here, this is an important part of
attaining the star. For now though, fall off the left side of the ledge and flip
the switch to lower the elevator, then ride it down the shaft. At the bottom,
walk a little to the left and a bunny will pop up from behind the key. To make
it less distracting, dont pick up the key because you really dont need it, and
make sure you DONT kill the bunny. Anyway lure the bunny onto the elevator then
quickly flip the switch and jump on so that both of you are going up. You'll
need to do a bit of dodging in this part: When the bunny runs at you, jump over
it; and When the bunny jumps at you, walk under it.
Once both of you are at the top, lure the bunny to the right... the setup you
need is a bit difficult to explain so Ill draw it out for you:
star ledge
========== =============
|
|
x =============
|
elevator R B |
~~~~~~~~~~===========================
Alright, you want the bunny to perform one of his "rabbid" jumps at you from
point B. You need to be standing at point R because that is where you need to
drop your ring for the whole thing to work. Once you drop the ring and the bunny
jumps, you have to jump as well so that you can bounce off the bunny's head at
point X. This bounce needs to be perfect for you to be able to get back up to
the ledge again, so you need to jump a little before the bunny does and you need
to be at the peak of your jump as well. Once you successfully get back onto the
ledge, quickly run right to the time-immunity zone and hit rewind...
You need to rewind back to anywhere between the moment the bunny died, and the
moment the bunny started the "rabbid" jump. So once you stop rewinding, the
bunny should be just starting his jump (and remember this should all be in slow-
motion because your ring should still be on the ground). From here, all you have
to do is jump off the ledge and bounce off of the bunny at your convenience, to
reach the platform with the star. Its probably easier to have time-immunity
while you do the jump so that your slow motion ring doesn't throw your timing
off. So just stand in the time-immunity zone until the bunny moves into the
perfect midair position, then quickly jump on his head to reach your star. You
earned it.
************************************************
World 1-1 Star (Braid) [L001]
************************************************
Difficulty: **---
Location: In the top right side of the map, in the princess's bedroom.
How to Obtain: Alright its the last star... you need to have gotten the other
seven stars first to be able to obtain this one. I won't go into as much detail
on this star because half of getting it, is just playing the level through
normally. Enter the final level and wait for the villain guy to shake the earth
and drop the platform from the ceiling. Jump it and continue right, Then wait
for the princess to flip the gate for you so you can continue. Climb up the
first ladder, then drop down the next one and climb up the one after that and
continue right. Climb up this ladder and wait for the crab-plant to go down to
get past it.Now you need to wait for the princess to flip the switch and lower
the gate so you can advance. Wait till the fire-wall is just about to touch you,
then jump. Jumping any earlier would cause you to slip off and into the fire...
Continue right and, just like with the previous gate, wait for the fire-wall to
come near you and jump into the death-pit only to be saved by the ascending
platform. Keep going right (and DO NOT stop running because you need a lead on
the fire-wall to make things less complicated), jump up a couple ledges, and go
down the ladder. Dodge a couple fireballs and climb up the ladder ahead, then
flip the switch right behind you (notice that its glowing green?). Fall back
down the ladder and go right to the area with the lattice (the climbing wall).
EFFICIENTLY maneuver your way through this part! Seriously, dont miss a beat or
you'll have a hard time with this next section! Climb up the wall, then FALL
down the next, and before you hit the floor hit up on the control pad to grab
the wall again and climb up the rest...
Fall down the ledge and jump over the death pit. If a monster pops out of the
death pit as you are jumping over it, then you have done things fast enough so
far. Quickly double jump off of this monster to get up to the ledge ahead and
you should probably keep jumping on his ahead once you get up there so you can
reach the platform with the switch. Notice that it is also glowing green? Here
is the turning point of the entire game... flip the switch and instead of
continuing, hit rewind. Rewind past the death-pit, past the lattice, past the
first green switch, and stop rewinding in area before the firball cannon where
you are just running in a wide-open space. Once you stop rewinding, continue
through the level as you normally would. Except notice that the fireball and
monster cannons close up faster which makes it easier for you to progress. Also
take note that the princess has disappeared off the top of the screen and that
the fire-wall has receded off the screen as well... o_O what's going on here!?
After you get past the monster cannons, you'll find the princess waiting for you
in front of a switch. walk on the mechanical platform and she'll raise it for
you. Keep walking right, jump up the steps ahead and notice that the first crab-
plant you see is down. You need to QUICKLY get past this crab plant before it
comes back up or everything you did so far will be in vain. If you can't seem to
get past it, then you didn't do something fast enough, because this whole level
is basically a speed-run. Don't worry though, you can rewind and fix whatever
mistakes you made earlier... Anyway, after you jump over it wait for the other
crab-plant to go down so you can jump over it. The princess should be behind you
at this point. Go right and jump over the small ledge right next to the broken
chandelier then stop, turn around, and wait for the princess to catch up... Once
the princess starts climbing down the ladder and onto the lattice, the fire-wall
returns and the chandelier will begin to repair itself. Once the chandelier is
fixed it will start to ascend to its original position. Now its time for the
alternate ending so (SPOILERS!)
Jump onto the chandelier with good timing and it will lift you up to the
princess! For the first time you can finally reach her, and Tim's life-long
search is finally over. What will happen? Is it really her? What if she's a
ghost?? What about the fire-wall!? You can't believe its not butter?!? ...As
soon as you come into contactwith her, you hear a click and a siren. She splits
into four flashing silhouettes and begins spinning around you, then... *boom* an
explosion and the screen turns white. (Note: While this is all happening you
need to latch onto the lattice so you don't fall down). Congratulations...
you've just led Tim to the discovery of the nuclear bomb, and hundreds of
thousands of people will die because of you. Tim is actually a nuclear physicist
and his search for the princess is actually the process of developing a nuclear
bomb. That's the whole plot of Braid... (/SPOILERS)
Anyway, after the screen returns to normal, climb up either ladder attached to
the lattice, and go all the way right to the princess's bedroom. Atop her bed
awaits the eighth and final star... oh and if you want an exit, just run all the
way to the left side of the level (while staying on the top half of the screen)
and you can leave via the door.
************************************************
Secrets [L00S]
************************************************
- Once you attain all of the eight stars, the constellation outside Tim's house
will show the picture of a girl laying down in the sky. This is the
constellation Andromeda but its also the princess, who represents a nuclear bomb
watching from a above the unharmed city in the background. This is opposed to
the city engulfed in flames more to the left, which had already been bombed.
- If you stand under the completed constellation and make Tim look up, the stars
in the constellation will disappear giving you a better look at the picture of
the princess.
************************************************
FAQ [L00F]
************************************************
- Some of the questions are ones that I came up with myself and I think are very
interesting...
Q: Does getting one star by itself change anything in the game?

A: No, besides the constellation outside Tim's house having one extra star,
nothing more about the game changes.
Q: I put together the world 3 puzzle but I havn't got the star from it,
can I go back?
A: No, you must start the whole game over to attain it... I know I had to.
Q: I entered world 2-2 through the left door and already waited the 90 mins,
is there any way to still get the star without starting over?
A: See The Cloud Bridge section for the solution.
Q: How do I keep track of my stars?

A: Look at the constellation outside of the house.
Q: What does the constellation show when its finished?

A: The constellation Andromeda (the chained maiden)/the princess.
Q: So, does getting all 8 stars change anything?

A: Yes, the constellation becomes complete. Also, they say the cloud near the
castle at the end of the Epilogue seems to be outlined or doubled with another
cloud and the castle itself is missing the world 4-4 block and that specific
level has an extra bunny flower that wasn't there before. There is still no
known reason for these changes.
Q: Are there any achievements for getting the stars?

A: No.
Q: Why aren't there any achievements for getting the stars???

A: My guess is that the creators really wanted it to be a challege to first
discover the stars, and an achievement being there would give away their
existence. So it wouldn't be special when you first find one.
Q: Once I get a star, do I have to finish the level to keep it?

A: No, once you touch a star there is no undoing that attainment (I havn't
experimented with "rewinding" or power-outages as a means of losing your star
so be careful). Other than that you can just quit the level and your progress
will be automatically saved.
Q: What do the stars represent/symbolize?

A: Ehhh... pretty shape? Don't ask me...
************************************************
Acknowledgements [L00A]
************************************************
No doubt about it, I would have never found any of the stars on my own so
there are a few people/sources that I must thank:
Gamefaqs/Other users:
-> Nicomicsrule of gamefaqs for posting a stickied FAQ on the boards
which helped me get started. THANK YOU!
-> Kapkomi of gamefaqs for e-mailing me a MUCH easier way to complete the
Fickle Companion star. THANK YOU!
-> Voltac (gamertag) for e-mailing me with the alternate solution for the
Cloud Bridge star. THANK YOU!
-> Shinryu74 of youtube for posting a video, showing me the MUCH easier
way to complete the elevator action star. THANK YOU!
-> And all Gamefaqs users who posted their walkthroughs showing me how to
write a proper guide. THANK YOU!
As well, Id like to thank Number None Inc. for making the best puzzle-
platformer ever! THANK YOU!
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Braid (Game) FAQ

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Introduction

In-Depth Stars Guide

Q: Does getting one star by itself change anything in the game?

Q: How do I keep track of my stars?

Q: What does the constellation show when its finished?

Q: So, does getting all 8 stars change anything?

Q: Are there any achievements for getting the stars?

Q: Why aren't there any achievements for getting the stars???

Q: Once I get a star, do I have to finish the level to keep it?

Q: What do the stars represent/symbolize?

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