The Company of Myself
Take a journey through one introvert's convoluted mind as you work to cooperate with your past selves, recorded in time. As soon as you reset the clock, the level starts anew, except now there's a phantasmal double of yourself scurrying about, re-enacting your first playthrough move for move. Press [space] again, and add another one to the mix, this one also moving according to the steps you laid out. Some levels will place a restriction on the number of ghostly doppelgangers you can conjure, and these are the levels where you'll have to see just how adeptly you can work with...well, yourself.
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can't get past the opening story, says click anywhere to continue, i've clicked all over, and it just keeps replaying...
Hmm, sounds like perhaps a Flash Player issue. Have you tried updating your Flash Player?
Try harder. What a great game.
I've found a bug in the first level that you can fall out of the screen with the girl. Instead of being able to restart it takes you to the next level
where she HAS to fall.
I'm stumped on the level where you're by yourself again and there are lots of grey blocks but you can't get to them before you hit the switch. He says: "And now I find myself alone. I just can't handle talking to people anymore."
Nevermind, power of posting. First try, even!
Beautiful game. Though the platforming wasn't easy, the focus was still on the storyline. Which was great. The music fits in nicely, too.
I'm stuck on the level with infinite guys and a green barrier that must be walked across, the one that says 'And like this, I continue".
It seems like I have to stack up my guys, but they can't jump high enough to make a stack higher than three, can they?
okay, I'm stuck on what I presume to be the last level (the "What? Don't leave yet" one), where it's just a big gap, and you can use infinite clones.
I've tried
stacking up the guys to get some height, but it wasn't enough. Then I realized I could position each successive copy at the very right edge of the previous copy's hat, covering some horizontal space. But even with stacking up to two person-lengths (the maximum jumping height) below the ceiling, and getting as far to the right as possible with the offset stacking, I still haven't been able to clear the gap. What am I missing?
It's also possible that a bug is only popping up for me because I have flash 9 (I can't update cuz I only have Mac OS 10.3). This is a problem with increasing numbers of games, but usually if there's a problem it shows up right in the beginning.
All I did on the last level was jump over a lot of times, constantly holding the UP key, and have me and my past selfs scramble over each other
Hope that helps,
-Mono
@m3psi
I'm on that level too, I don't think it's a bug. (FF3.5, Flash 10, Windows 7)
Also,
This game deserves a sequel, maybe
why he killed her and her life?
@mp3si
I got across :)
I just started making a bunch of clones and jumping off the cliff, trying to jump off of jumpers... over and over and over again. Eventually I jumped off enough of them to get across
@Mono99099
Thanks! Got it. I didn't realize
you can jump off the head of a clone that is jumping. I had found earlier that if a copy below jumps, the copy above does not stay on top and falls through, so I figured the rule was that being in a jump canceled contact between clones. But rather, the rule is that contact only works from top-down, and bottom-up contact doesn't work.
That was...
disturbing.
I was really disappointed by the ending. At first it reminded me so much of the person I was just a few months ago and all the things I am just now starting to get past. But then it all goes away when I learned
that I'm in a mental hospital because I went crazy and killed my wife, and therefore I'm a complete loner.
Why can't introverts be anything other than psychos? Are we that foreign to everyone else?
This is one of the most depressing games I've ever played... and I've played Kafkamêsto... :-(
My computer freaked out so I missed some of the end.
Does it end with
The psychiatrist saying this is his last report on Jack because he is unlikely to improve?
I cant do the level 'I search for reasons why I don't desire my own companionship' the wall at the end is too high to jump. Please help
Yes, that's how it ends. Sad, isn't it?
Lovely game though, I really enjoyed it.
@ganondorf
yes
@ganondorfchampion: Yup. Having a déjà-vu?
@Funnyguts:
The ending was a bit weak. What stupid psychiatrist doesn't recognize trauma-induced anterograde amnesia when his patient tells the same story 400 times? I waited for the line "based on a true event" - which would have saved the vague storyline. In this case, the introversion was only one symptom amongst many others, probably even a multiple personality complex. I also recognized quite a lot of my own thoughts in the headlines, and it's a shame that we introverts haven't been credited yet with a casual storyline.
But I loved the level where he "killed" her. The process was so casual and following the game's logic that you really could identify with the reasoning that lead to this event.
I enjoyed the dialogue as you went through each level, guiding your actions. It was much better than, say, having between level cutscenes that would draw out the game but leave the player sitting and waiting.
Ending was...
Disappointing. I was left feeling like all the game was just a metaphor for a reality we can't see or identify with. Might as well have ended with the hero simply perishing.
The level where the girl died was actually clever, but the ending could have worked out better if the levels had gradually introduced us to the reality of the hero, rather than simply dropping it in an ending cutscene.
Good game over all. Would like to see more games with a similar narrative style in the levels.
-SirNiko
I agree with funnyguts...
For me the ending was over determined and took away from the poignancy of the game. Leaving the story up to the imagination can often make a better game, and I am surprised that the imagination behind an otherwise great game would not have realised that was the case. I thought the murder was jarring when the character was otherwise sympathetic, and "read" his being forced to lose Kathryn as his having been in a situation where he could either save himself or her. That, to me, would have been a better ending more in keping with the ethos of the game. (Not to mention the weak understanding of psychology.)
I DID love the actual game, though!
Also, minor complaint, but let me control scrolling on the text. I know some people are slow readers, but this was annoyingly slow.
Excellent game, a bit on the short side but still very enjoyable. I loved the plot and I thought the game mechanics were well designed.
I thought the end was extremely clever, a tad cliched, but it was really well done
This game is very similar to Braid, no? I like that. I was disappointed when Braid ended, and same with this.
Is the end of the game when he is alone again?
:(
The music is amazing. I want some mp3s of it please!
joye's quote >"I'm stuck on the level with infinite guys and a green barrier that must be walked across, the one that says 'And like this, I continue".
I'm stuck here too. Help please.
Music, idea, and polish were 100% awesome. Cut scene at the end was abrupt. It didn't fit with the rest of the game.
'And like this, I continue:
You make a tower of guys sitting on your hat.
Don't move, just jump once, space, then jump twice, space, then jump thrice, space, etc. Wait for each shadow to complete it's jump before continuing, and don't allow any shadows to stand in place without jumping to their place in the tower.
You know you're doing it right if the bottom shadow tumbles off when you make your jump. There can't be a shadow supporting the stack, or they won't move with you when you cross the bridge.
Once you have a tower of five or six shadows, just walk across without jumping. Jumping will dislodge the shadows.
Easiest way to beat the level "And like this, I continue."
Wait a second, then move down onto the green barrier and just stand there for about ten seconds. After that, jump to the right and move to the right a bit. Hit space, then get down onto the barrier as quick as you can so your clone can stand on top of you.
Once your clone is on top of you, move all the way to the right and wait for him to do his thing. Once he's reached the door, hit Space and move on.
Everyone stuck on "And like this, I continue":
I couldn't actually work this out either, but in the end I used the solution for the final level suggested by lew, above.
Just jump a swarm of clones off the edge, every time trying to jump off of their heads in mid-flight. You'll catch them the once or twice you need to and eventually make it. Just in your case, set up a clone to jump off of at the end.
Annd Wolfgang beats me to it with a real solution :P.
I am stuck on and now I find myself alone, I can't handle talking to anyone anymore.
For the last level:
I just kept jumping off the edge until I had such a large amount of guys that I could not miss some as I jumped across the gap
*cough* You CAN go through/ jump through your shadows.... I made a stack of shadows, all standing on the side of the one belows hat. Once the stack was big enough to jump across without falling, I simply... well.... JUMPED.
Now, how,
that constitute as murder? It seemed more like man slaughter.
Sad game, but fun. Last level was annoying, I kept freezing up.
"And now I find myself alone. I can't handle talking to people anymore." -- I only get one clone. How in the world do I do this one? I'm clueless.
I can't seem to figure out "I search for reasons..." can somebody give me some help?
@ray9na
"And I find myself alone. I can't handle talking to people anymore.":
Look at the odd thing on the other side of the black wall. What would that be?
Reach it and I think you'll be able to finish it.
Wait a few seconds, press the button, go to the odd thing(the checkpoint), press space, jump to the top and wait untill the button is pressed.
@gmpilot
"I search for reasons..."
You seem to be able to jump on top of your past selfes. What would happen if they moved when you were on top?
Fall just of the edge, wait a second, move all the way to the right and press spacebar. Move to the right and fall on your previous self, wait untill you end up on the right side of the screen, and jump to the exit.
I really liked the game. It really sets a good ambience with the first-person narrated instructions, which is unique in games. The music also sets the mood as well. The solutions you guys gave helped a lot.
And like this, I continue:
The slowly but surely way of doing it is to deliberately stand on top of your clone's heads, moving one space forward, or just 1 pixel short of falling. Be careful not to fall down. When you get enough height, you can jump over the barrier and to the ground. After that, I walked to the space below the box and "stacked" my clones up until I could jump/reach the box.
The last level:
I don't have any step-by-step solution for this since I beat this out of luck. I did what everyone else did and went on a jumping/cloning spree (running to the edge of the cliff first and jumped, but eventually, when i hit space, i jumped immediately, I'm not sure which works best, though). Fortunately, my clones bumped me up to spring over the gap.
I understood a bit of the ending, but I don't get it completely. Can anyone explain it?
Well so far it must be the story of my life minus the girl.
Wow that is not an ending that I would have expected! It was a somewhat creative game and did not go too far with the puzzles. I feel that the game was just a way to make a story more interesting. Without a goal like in a game why else would we come across this story and read it.
Nice game, I really enjoyed it. One of the few games where you are listening to a story while playing the game. Just too bad that when i finally was beginning to like the game for real it ended. :( Really needs more levels or at least an level editor anyway nice gameplay.
Just when it was getting good, the game decides to suddenly end... Gah!
What I would have liked more levels, and a bit more usage of the
flower checkpoint
idea.
What really disturbs me the most, after going through it all was
that throughout the entire game, Jack was actually trying to find his way back to Kathryn (the girl) each and every stage, starting at the flower(s) that he planted for her. After all, Kathryn was buried inside a green box - and Jack wants to be friends with it more than anything else...
It makes me believe that even though Jack "says" that he is truly content with being by himself, he ultimately wants to be together with Kathryn more than anything else. He doesn't want to be alone... even though he killed her for his own gain (and probably nothing more than that, too).
I wished we knew how exactly Jack killed the one human being that he desires more than anything, but I suppose the game left it open to interpretation for its own reasons. He did mention how he did not truly apprieciate her presence even when she was alive - and perhaps moreso even when she died.
That said, I have the strongest feeling that - had Jack had the oppurtunity, he would try his best to kill himself so that he would be with Kathryn again. Until then, he just goes on each day trying to forget the horrors of what he has done to his true love.
For this kind of game, I wouldn't want a sequel - the story got wrapped up, so not much chance in that. I would want an expanded storyline with more levels though :).
Notice how the "door" which he spoke of, was green? As was his loved one's box, where he buried her in.
@Decimae--
Thanks. I guess I hadn't realized that
the checkpoint would keep my solid guy where he was when the shadow was made.
"And like this, I continue." Help!
What's the trick? I'm not getting it. I cannot go across the green barrier with more than one shadow on top of me. The rest of them keep falling off.
The Company Of Myself Walkthrough
Level 1
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Just walk to the right.
Level 2
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Walk to the right again, jumping over the platforms.
Level 3
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Hop across the platforms and reach the exit.
Level 4
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Walk to the right wall
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Hit space to reverse time
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Jump on the shadows head and walk to the right.
Level 5
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Walk to the edge of the platform, and then hit space.
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Walk to the edge of the platform and jump on your shadows head and get to the next pillar. Hit space.
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Wait for the second shadow to get onto the pillar and then use it to get to the next pillar, hit space. Repeat until you can reach the top pillar and then go to the goal.
Level 6
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Jump across the gap, and keep walking right for about 10 seconds. Hit space
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This time go down the gap and move to the lever and hit A to use it.
Level 7
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Move over the platform to the right, and stand in the middle of it. Hit space.
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Move to the left and use the lever.
Level 8
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Keep walking right for about 5 seconds and then hit space.
Level 9
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for this one you can try to time your jumps as if you were going up the stairs, or you can just jump and move right a bunch of times until you think you'd be at the top, then hit A
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Walk to the exit and wait for your shadow to use the lever
Level 10
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Walk off the cliff and drop down. Wait there for a second, and then walk across to the other side. Hit space.
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Drop down on your shadows head, and stand there while he walks across. Then hop to the exit.
Level 11
This time do the same thing as last time but in reverse order.
Wait a second, then drop down and wait until you WOULD be across and hop to the exit. Hit space.
Drop down and wait until your shadow is on your head, walk across and wait for him to hop to the exit.
Level 12
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For this one you will have to pull the levers in order with your first shadow, and time it so when you go you jump across the platforms. To do it I just jumped before I pulled each lever as an indicator when to jump off the platform
Level 13
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Walk to the goal with the Male, hit space.
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Walk to the goal with the female.
Level 14
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Have the male go on one side pulling each lever, and the female go on the other side, pulling all her levers.
Level 15
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Move the male to the wall and have the female jump on him and then pull the lever.
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Repeat
Level 16
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Use the male as a way to get the female to the black lever, but don't pull it yet.
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Move the male down and beside the black wall
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Pull the black lever with the female
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Have the male pull the pink lever and then move to the exit
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Move the female to the exit.
Level 17
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Have the female pull the pink lever.
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Have the male pull the black lever and go to the exit.
Level 18
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walk to the lever, wait a few seconds and then pull it. Jump to the flower, and then hit space.
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Jump up the platforms and wait for your shadow to pull the lever and walk to the goal
Level 19
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For this one just keep walking right and jumping. When you hit the wall hit space. Eventually enough shadows will make it across that you can jump on them.
Level 20
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Repeat the same thing as last time. just keep walking right and jumping. Sooner or later you or a shadow will make it across.
I think a good ending would have been
if the guy had found out that the girl actually hadn't died and found her and so on.
[Edit: Spoiler tags added. -Pam]
@ray9na:
This is because you are either moving, or standing still too long. If you stand still too long, your tower of clones will not move when you do, and you move, your clones will mess up. I suggest using number13's solution - much more elegant.
@bvgfh:
Do realize that a lot of this game is based on her death... so if she doesn't die, the impact might be lost...
Actually, the end says
"The shrink leaves, and suddenly I don't even have a person to tell my story to anymore."
*Feels extremely depressed*
What a...
disturbing game. I didn't even connect him putting her in the green box, therefore wanting to be friends with it the most, until someone explained it to me. I really think he was psycho, maybe he even made the "married" thing with the girl all up...It could even be that she was just his only friend, (or did really love him, who knows) but left him, prompting him to kill her. The cops come and such, and he is taken to the hospital. Maybe he's trying to push the memory out, or doesn't remember, killing her. How scary.
Great game, I loved how the story was told during the levels, as you made progress in them. The levels were nicely designed to be challenging without being frustrating, and the writing was excellent, even if that twist in the ending was a bit unnecessary, since the story was flowing so well up to that point. The music and the graphics were also very good, and fit the game perfectly.
Keep up the good work, guys!
Great game, the story is just perfect to think more about the story of this little guy and his own company.
I loved the gameplay and the idea.
Also liked the simplified graphics.
I'm really impressed with the game.
I think that this is the most meaningful game that i've ever played. it is meant to be sad and depressed (especially the ending), because the game wants to convey REGRET as the message. Jack did not appreciate Kathryn (his wife, i suppose), instead, he killed her. But then his action made his life empty and loneliness embraced him. he then wanted to somewhat redeem his mistake my making the green box as his friend, same like a person visiting a grave of his love one. In life, we never truly appreciate something until we lost it.
I found out that the reason it has to be kathryn dying, and not you, is that your ghosts stand on top of your hat.
I want a sequel now..... Please Please Please!..
An amazing game! I loved the atmosphere that the music made. This is not the first game that uses the cloning/ghosting aspect to it but the way the game used it and related it was genius. A very clever game!
I'm not really getting that
Jack murdered Kathryn, so much as she had to die. This act of running around pulling levers and jumping and collecting green boxes is something they were compelled to do. The compulsion to complete the task is what causes Kathryn to be in the position she's in when Jack pulls his lever and she falls. It's an act of sacrifice on her part, not an act of violence on his. It's a metaphor, if you will, for the solider who falls on a grenade to protect his brothers-in-arms. It's the meerkat who fights off the cobra so the rest of her den can get away. The mother who is willing to put her own life in jeopardy to protect her kids. I'm no psychiatrist, but based on my own hypothetical how-would-I-handle-this scenarios, Jack's loneliness, despair, etc. seem to match up with a lot less in the line of "I killed the love of my life" and much more "I watched the one I love die and couldn't stop it."
very very good game, much props to the creators! they are exceptional game designers.
Suddenly the game's not loading...
[snip]
[Edit: The server where we host content is down right now for a scheduled hardware maintenance, it should be back up momentarily. Sorry for the inconvenience. -Jay]
I thought this was a wonderfully crafted game. I don't think that a sequel is necessary, as it could take away from the story. Some games are meant to stand alone.
I don't understand what everyone is whining about. I don't think that the ending was depressing as much as it was sad, and if you think it was abrupt, then remember: there are people out there who have to go through illnesses similar to this EVERY day of their lives. It shows how weak the human mind may be, and that we are not as in-control as we want to be. Our lives may be changed drastically within seconds. You can never know what lies ahead.
I found out that in level 17 you can't jump on Kathryn's head, so there's no way to nobly sacrifice yourself. I thought it would have been really interesting if you could kill Jack and play the rest of the game as Kathryn.
I need help on the one that says"I search for reasons why I don't desire companionship"
My opinion is
that Jack didn't kill her,he is saying ''I watched the love of my life dying and couldn't do anything about it'' means that she died because of him,but he didn't do it himself,like: They were attacked by a thief who pointed a gun in them and wanted to take their money,but Jack started to struggle with him so the thief fired the gun and instead of him,shot her,and then he watched her dying,and couldn't do nothing,while the thief escaped. So he went mad and was put in a constitution
Or something similar
anyway I loved the game
This game is truely brilliant. I dont know how it can get any better.
-Great plot dont know about a sequel- would love to play it but the game is perfect. Maybe explain about his past and add more depth to the characters, otherwize it was great.
I'm stock with the green field in the middle of the room.
can get pass. What do I do?
Says something bout gravity?
One of the best flash games out there. On par with Don't Look Back.
darn it, there's something wrong with my computer...it freezes on level 19...
never mind...i fixed my problem with level 19 by refreshing the page and clicking on continue on the menu
In the levels with
Kathryn it seems that the game treats falling off of cliffs as being the same as reaching the goal, so in the level right before Kathryn's death you actually [b]can[/b] have yourself die and Kathryn survive, or even kill both characters. Unfortunately this looks like it's a bug instead of a hidden way of accessing some kind of secret alternate ending. It'd be cool if the author did make that set of actions lead to a different outcome, since it's something that most people wouldn't think about on their own (at least, it seems none of the other commenters here have encountered that yet).
I completely agree with Funnyguts. I found myself really relating to the character...
until the "insane murderer" ending left me feeling ridiculous/alienated. Totally made what had been a meaningful game into something much cheaper and clichéd.
i read somewhere that this was a true story is that true?
if so then its quite depressing :'(
@joye: double-jump
For me, as a result of the introduction of the two player mechanic, I would have been interested to see the following...
The possibility that Kathryn could have gone on instead of you, kind of a secondary paradoxical storyline if you tried it the other way round, save for the limiting mechanic where you do not jump on her head
Basically, a bit more forced creativity for a at least one redo experience.
The ending was awful. Plain and simple. The game was fantastic, and the ending storyline did not honor how good the game was.
Sad story...
The way that you killed Kathryn for your own gain was a clever way to portray the event, and for me that brought the story into a clearer view.
But all in all, great game. Better puzzle style than most.
No sequel though. The story was ended in a decent fashion
Guys, I'm stuck on the level were it says "wait don't leave yet I have more to say, I really do" HELP
That game left me feeling so peacefully sad and happy at the same time.
it all ties up at the end when you find out kathryn is in the green box which is why he wants to be friends with it.
i loved the game it was so good and it told a really sad story.
I think
That Kathryn killed herself for the sake of you living, she pulled the lever to help you, but it ended in her death, it was some event where one of you could die, but she chose to die, and every day you regret your choice and you wish you would have died. The search for the green box represents regret, and to find some way to undo your action you keep on searching, but you find nothing and all you have left is the company of yourself.
This is truly an awesome game, no doubt.
I'm stuck on the
"What? Don't leave yet. I have so much more to say!" level
This is the most simple and easy solution for "And like this, I continue."
You only need ONE clone.
When you start, jump ONCE in your place, then remain in the same place for like 10 seconds, and then jump again. (This time you may want to jump 2-3 times, just to be sure you'll reach the square later. PRESS SPACE.
Now, your clone will jump on your head. Walk all the way to the right wall, with your clone on your head. Wait some seconds and your clone (that is on your head) will jump, but not reach the green box. So you jump a little before your clone will do his second jump, then your clone will do his second jump WHILE you are jumping, and reach the green box. Press SPACE and win.
The description sounds kinda complicated, but do it and you'll see this level is pretty easy, and you need no more than one clone.
Hm... lots to think about.
First, when I replayed the game, I realize that there is something wrong with my own theory:
The entire concept of Jack trying to get to the green box because that's where Kathryn is buried works - except when she's alive. In the stages where she is alive (and they both have to get to the green box), that theory flies out the window. I've been trying to come up with something reasonable for a long time, but the game just doesn't give me enough to work from.
The other issue was something that Golfhaus brought up:
Whether Kathryn had to, or chose to, or was murdered. I feel that the game kind of blurs the line between all of this. In a sense, yes, Kathryn died because she wanted to see Jack to succeed. The game makes the gamer clearly know that Kathryn had to die on that level, even before either of them started moving. Whether she actually willingly decided to die... well, that's up to our imagination.
What prevents me from just saying "this is it", though, is the fact that A) Jack is the one that pulled the switch and caused Kathryn to die, and B) Jack did not show any signs of trying to prevent Kathryn's sucidial attempt or any hesitation in pulling that switch. The A) issue is probably why people say that he murdered Kathryn - he was directly responsible of her death, and even he seems to be aware of that. The B) issue is probably why society says that he is mentally insane. Any 'normal' person would at least have some moral emotion that would cause them to behave differently, Jack just let her die as if it was just natural for him.
Of course, some of you will argue that this is natural - and it is, but not with our current society. One could also argue that Jack was powerless to stop her death. Perhaps, but then one could also argue that he could have stopped his pursuit for the green box, or not let Kathryn on his hat. He feels regret for her death, but hindsight is 20-20, so...
Just another thought into the fire. This is surprisingly a deep game - I'd say on par with The Majesty of Colors. It seems straightforward, but it does make the player think back on society through its story. Nothing as big as... say, Metro Rules of Conduct, or Closure, or even Gray. I prefer a game make the player reflect without using a story - that kind of limits the reflective bounderies, and that has its own pros and cons.
This is a wonderful game. Great storyline, great concepts and deep meanings.
Can someone list some other games like this one?
Great game. The ending was nice.
Was it based on a real story and the shrink is the creator of the game?
Wow. Great game. I love the games where theres a deep story to think about & you feel almost sad & happy the whole time you play...cant beat level where there are all those colored switches & boxes! Help please! But great game. Makes me pity the guy, even though
He WAS responsible for the girl's death
:) & :( at the same time. 5 out of 5. But still, please help!
Can anyone post video/pictures for level 19? Please...
Thank you.
P.s. What happen if we let Jack fall off the black brick instead of Cathryn?
Wow. You guys are simultaneously thinking way too hard about the storyline, AND not getting it at all.
It is very simple...
Jack murdered this woman Kathryn. The game gives us no clues as to what their real relationship was. Understand that there are 2 realities at work in the game: Jack's, and the anonymous shrink. We're not necessarily supposed to take everything Jack says as the actual truth. Including, OBVIOUSLY, the entire mechanic of the game.
The whole running around pulling levers jumping through rooms and going into green boxes thing is an allegory which occurs only inside of Jack's fractured mind. People obviously don't do that in real life. It's all a metaphor representing his inner struggle. The levels where both he and the girl are present are clearly not evidence that the two of them both spent time together trying to climb into little green boxes. It's his mental representation of his idea that they were once a "team."
So. Maybe they were really married and he just flipped out. Maybe he's a demented rapist-murderer with a strange obsession with a girl he doesn't know and one day he kidnapped and killed her. Either way, what I can tell you for sure is that there was no thief-with-a-gun scenario, and he sure as heck didn't kill her by flipping a lever that dropped her into oblivion. Regardless, that level of reality is completely outside the bounds of this game. This game occurs inside his head, as an allegorical representation of his inner struggle as he tells his story over and over each day, being observed by the shrink.
i found that
the game is supposed to have you be the shrink in which jack talks to you and describes what he was doing up until the point where he was probably sent to the mental hospital.also, when on the last level he asks why you are leaving him it is because it was your last meeting with him.
I can't get past the level with the big game. How do I do it?
Too...sad...:'(
lol
fun game thanks for the walkthrough it helped on the last 4 or 5 levels
Make no mistake, asm - it is no spoiler that this is all a mental representation conjured up by Jack. That concept should be understood by reading the intro, and if anyone didn't get that, it doesn't take long before it does as Jack keeps speaking in dialogue.
However, as you pointed out, even mental representations have real meanings behind them. Otherwise, he wouldn't come up with those representations to begin with. It's these meanings that are worth considering, as it can actually describe Jack as a person, and how he thinks. Personally, I don't think Jack is really 'insane', he just couldn't cope with the lost of Kathryn - he isn't any rampaging murderer who believes that everyone should die or anything serious like that... but he does show sucidial urges, something our society frowns upon.
Just worth thinking.
Oh, wow. I posted that I was stuck on the multicolored lever level, but now I beat it. It really left me feeling somehow...good? I don't know why, but it does. I loved the ending, how it explained everything jack said. I loved this game and it left me feeling both sad, mostly for jack, since he is...
a crazy guy in an institute who caused his girlfriend to die and will never be released
Plus it left me happy. I don't really know why. More games OF THIS TYPE should exist. No sequels though. It's good the way it is...wow...
This is game is perfect in every way. It made me cry & I love games like this.
I just wish there were more games like this which explores the human mind, and I also wish there was a sequel to this.
wowwwww...ive posted on this game twice before-this is the third time-& LOVE it...beat it twice now.Second time, i cried.love touching games like this, with a deep story.generally dont like shoot-em-ups, with exceptions of course...wow.btw,i posted how i was stuck on multicolored lever level & how it was a sad & happy game. WOW..........
I'm a 22 year old male. this made me cry for the first time in at least a year.
Hahaha lol the last level... Don't underestimate the power of infinite drones.
I just used like a hundred of them and jump from one to each one and eventually reached the end.
Plus probably has the best storyline of any flash game ever.[edit: Spoiler added - Walzar]
Surely the best thing for Jack to have done ...
... on the "death level", if he didn't want to regret his actions, was to give his hat to Kathryn! Of course Jack would've had to die then, but at least Kathryn would've survived!
I'm stuck on the "staring at the worthlessly large staircase, I reflect on my past struggles". How do I do it? It is very hard (for me).
This has some interesting messages. Where Kathryn helped you before, now your ghosts have the task, following your every move till you "reset".
Just finished game! Tis' brilliant and it really gets me thinking!
^_^
It's a perfect game
I think
When Jack says that the psychiatric left shows that he had always known that he came to visit him once a week, i mean he didn't have amnesia, he only need someone to tell his story
trauma-induced anterograde amnesia only comes from personal injury
To Anon:
(thoughts on the green box)
Perhaps the reason he put her in a green box is because that was their shared goal (where their paths converged). Maybe before it was more of a nothing else to do sort of thing, and would relate to reality as we go about our daily lives (go to work, go home, eat, sleep, repeat, think of each of those as a green box), which is why he continues to pursue it. I'm guessing for the game to reality thing, that's beyond my thinking power right now. :P
Now he wants it more than anything. He lost her, and placed her in their ultimate goal, a green box, and now desires that so much, as if the green box now represents seeing Kathyn again.
Why he killed her, who knows? Maybe she committed suicide, and he blames himself for her death? He said he didn't leave the house for days, maybe he didn't report it and ended up being convicted for her death? Especially if he blamed himself, and everyone just took his word for it. There are so many possibilities... goodness this is a good game!
I thought the ending was a bit of a cop-out. The report needs to be re-written so it doesn't sound like the psyche is doing the report on him for the first time, and expand on Jack's psychosis, though the ambiguity regarding the murder and his madness suits the game fine.
To the introverts bemoaning its "loners are freaks" stance - it's not really that. Jack's become an introvert (and a terrible one that that) due to his madness. He's not freaky because he's lonely (at least, before we learn he's a psycho), he's freaky because he's insane.
To be honest, I used the "bridge" tactic on the second-to-last level, especially since the sheer amount of jumps would be marred when I needed more shadows to climb to the box.
This game is awesome.
I really loved the music. and when I finished it, it left some bitter feeling inside.
the plot was very clever.
Ive never played such a short game that would make me feel something like this.
Im totally amazed
On the level where it says ''don't leave, I have more to say!'' or something,
hold right and when you get to the end of the cliff, jump, press space (to make another clone) and repeat. By the third or fourth clone, if you do it right, you will be able to jump on your clones head. Then you just keep jumping until you have about 20 clones :) then you can triple jump to the other side.
[edit:spoiler tags added - Walzar]
Good game, the ending was good, but a little out of place. But I guess that makes sense.
I think people are taking the game too literally when it comes to understanding the ending.
He murdered her, and the game is a way to tell his story. He feels responsible for her death, but has forgotten how he caused it. He says he doesn't know why he doesn't talk to people after that, but that's because he's not allowed to see people.
i need someone to please write down the script for the game, as in all the words? it would help a lot and i seriously don't have the time, so if you're just playing through it? THX
great game in my opinion. the music fit perfectly I also thought it was a tad short,
and the end a little disappointing (but the story at the end was so strange it fit well with the game)
GG
I'm stuck on the level where there is a green barrier and clones can't get across. Can anyone help?
A great game all up
Bit depressing though.
Will there be a sequel?
The psychiatrist said that he gave up... What??!?!? to abandon someone like that, I'm glad it's not true.
please im begging you, MAKE A SEQUEL!!! Or make another one like it. I love these sort of games =]
Hey, I just noticed this,
Isn't it kinda weird that for some reason he WANTS to be in the box with her?
I left JIG for a while for reasons that have nothing to do with this site, one of my favorites. I'm back now and slowly going through all the games I've missed.
This one was a stunner. While I too, didn't like the ending, the gameplay was very good and challenging. The music, atmosphere and tone very powerful. Like many, I identified with it's mood and messages. I cannot say how strongly this impressed me.
I like to disregard the ending as a way for the creator to wrap it up in a tidy package. However, I hope that in his future endeavors, he trusts that concepts alone, when done as well as this was, are enough to stand alone.
Congrats to the creators and JIG for a well done review and for featuring this wonderful game. I was touched by it.
I found a solution I really like to level 19 ("So like this I continue...") and I think it's probably the intended solution.
As soon as the level starts have your first guy keep jumping a bunch of times. Then create another guy and wait a breath then keep jumping. Keep going until you've made about 5 of six guys. The last one should stand perfectly still while the others will settle themselves on his head. Then you just walk forward and the top (or second from the top) shadow will be lined up with the green square.
Wow. Wow! I am so grateful to the creator of this game. I wish they could be rewarded with something more material than words of praise (I could say so many of those). Absolutely delightful. I wanted more at the end. Jay, thank you for being lovely and fantastic. I am inspired and profoundly moved. ;)
I'm confused...
Who's the shrink? If it is the person playing the game, then that makes sense, I guess, but lots of people seem to think the shrink is the psychiatrist. If this is true, then how does Jack know the psychiatrist is leaving? The psychiatrist says that Jack doesn't seem to remember him ever coming to see him, and tells the same story over and over again. So how does Jack know he is leaving? Maybe Jack gets brain-washed in the middle of the night or something...
I loved this game! It's funny: it's just a game, but everyone who posted something on here says it made them feel depressed, or sad, or it sounded like their own story or something like that. This game is surprisingly deep!
I agree with the fact that on the level where Kathryn dies, Jack should be able to sacrifice himself for her. I mean, even though Kathryn doesn't have an awesome hat like Jack does, he should still be able to stand on her head. It would be really cool if this game had alternate endings, depending on who gets killed, Jack or Kathryn. I guess that wouldn't really work if Jack is talking about his past, and Kathryn has already died, but who cares?
Also, if this game is the story of Jack's life,and Jack is telling it to the psychiatrist, how come the psychiatrist doesn't know how Kathryn died? Kathryn died when Jack pulled the lever and she dropped into... nothing. That was part of the game, hence part of Jack's story. So why is the psychiatrist confused about how Kathryn died?
Last comment...
The level where Kathryn dies is kind of stupid, because in the the level before that, I accidentally slipped and Kathryn fell into nothing, just like she did when she died. I just restarted the level. So why did she die the second time, but not the first? And why can't I just restart the level? Weird...
Anyways, I loved the cool music in this game! I could just close my eyes and dream... any way to download onto iTunes? I enjoyed reading all of you guys's posts! I'm eager to read more, so please, post your opinions!
I don't believe that you people are understanding that in-game, the "green box" is actually a "green door," as stated in the first level.
Awesome games, heres a thought;
Could it be that we were the shrink Jack was telling his 'story' to? It's like we were the ones who he was communicating to, who he shared his story with.
Then at the end, he says "The shrink leaves (meaning us, since we're technically 'leaving'), and suddenly I have no one to tell my story to". We, the shrink, left, and he doesn't have anyone to share his story with anymore.
Also, the reason why he wanted to be friends with the green box is probably because he buried her in a green box, he's amused by it the most. The ghosts he makes could be a reference to Kathryn, how they used to do things together.
im stuck on the 1 where it says "What dont leave yet i have more to say i really do" with a huge gap in the middle.
Wow...this game was so creative and fun, until you get to the end, and it's so sad. It leaves you with an empty feeling inside. :(
To all those who commented about the ending and story line...
Maybe Jack caused Kathryn's death because of his jealousy... Green is the color of jealousy.
One of the best games on Kongregate. I was honestly disappointed when I finished the last level thanks to the help on here.
Let's hope for a sequel.
Help! It is looping on the first level and I can't get past that.
SPOILER: A better way to beat level 19.
Stand still, jump about 7 or so times. Restart, this time, jump one fewer time, and continue to repeat until you do not jump at all. At this point, all of your shadows will be standing in a column on top of you. Simply walk to the right, and your shadow will catch the box.
Here's the very best way to do level 19:
The first time, jump once. The second time, wait until the shadow is done jumping, then jump twice. The next time, wait until the shadows are done jumping, then jump three times. The next time, wait until the shadows are done jumping, then jump four times. Keep going until you have enough shadows to just walk across the gap and touch the green box.
The Game simply does not work for me, which is too great of a flaw for me to give the game anything higher than a 1/5.
Just played this for the first time - it was linked in the Best of Casual Gameplay 2009 results as the JiG editor choice.
I found the gameplay and the presentation interesting... Like others, I found the ending a bit abrupt - it fits the story of the game, but it's not hinted at or anything. It feels like it was put there to sum up the entirety of the game, rather than being the main story. Plus it's kinda depressing, what with the
giving up hope on Jack
and all. The game itself made me think a bit, though. Pretty good overall.
For the last level
Go to the edge and jump, space, jump, space randomly and you will eventually step on a clone, and you press space again, and there will be another clone, and you repeat this and you will eventually get over.
The best way to get across level 19 (the one with the green box that is high up and the green bridge:
stand in one spot and jump 7 times, then hit space and jump 6 times and hit space and jump 5 times....until you get two one and the next time you just stand still and they will all stack up nicely. then just inch your way to the other side and there you go!
such a great and moving game. I find myself replaying it time and time again. the music is really good as well!
Definitely a bug. I'm on Vista pro with 8gb of ram and the latest flash. On the 19th stage I'm only allowed to make a few copies of myself before the game either totally chugs or becomes entirely unresponsive.
There is a more elegant/quicker solution to level 19 ...
make a stack of shadows at least 5 high on top of your current self, then just walk them across.
All in all, I like it.
It's sad that
she had to die :[
then again, he's like a psychomaniac ._.
The levels with kathryn didnt seem like true flashbacks.
They are part of jack's story,the way HE thinks it happened in his unstable mental state. which means the way she dies or the presence of the green box are more figurative and irrelevant in relation to the actual murder. He forces himself to forget that he committed such a crime, so he invents the unavoidable loss and the goal of finding her again starting from the grave. I think.
ooh, the ending is very neat.
:P
Sort of like the game called "Use Boxmen".
Eli Piilonen is making a new game called "Grief" that is about Henry, Jack's psychiatrist. Though it's not a direct sequel, and mentions nothing about Jack, it still features a trademark of Eli. A depressing story.
For the last two levels you can reduce the copies you sacrifice if you:
1. Hold down the right arrow key forever.
2. Press 'up' at the edge and hold it for 3 seconds, then release.
3. Wait 3 more seconds, then press space right arrow key still down!
4. Goto step 2 - all your guys will be in sync. I only needed 4 copies. :)
ARGHHH!! the last stage is just impossible!!!.. so frustrating!! played till the game hanged =(
Here's the storyline.
i am somewhat impatient, but i know that the game will be loaded soon
00
If you have a minute, I'd like to tell you a bit about myself.
The first thing you need to understand is that I am alone. I've been alone for a pretty long time now. I'm used to it. I'm content.
Before I became more or less a hermit, I found that I had two passions in life. One was performing. Even today, when I find that I can't relate to others, I can still stand in front of them and make them laugh or surprise them. The irony is strong enough to taste.
It doesn't taste good.
In case you're wondering, my second passion was a girl named Kathryn. But I'll get to that later.
I generally face the same day-to-day problems as every other person, except that when every other person gets stuck, they have their friends and associates to back them up. I don't.
I know that you don't want to hear me describe my admittedly less than fascinating lifestyle, so instead, I'll describe my day with a much more interesting allegory.
I used to find joy in the company of others. Now, I only have the company of myself.
Level 01-05
01
My attention is stolen by a green square on the other end of the room. I want to be its friend more than anything that I've ever wanted. I decide to use the Arrow Keys to approach it.
---
The square does not react to my approach. Does it not notice me? Or is it only pretending not to notice me?
Which would be worse?
---
Up close, I can see that the green square is actually a door. I think that we can be friends anyway. I decide to push the Spacebar, to move to the next room.
02
Spotting a couple of platforms ahead, I decide to use the Up Arrow Key to jump
---
Take that, platforms!
---
I decide that Mr. Door is a better friend than the platforms. I also note that I can pause the game by pressing P or the Esc Key.
03
Now that risk is involved, jumping on platforms doesn't seem as easy to me.
---
I start thinking about how awful it would be to fall. Luckily, I know that I can push the R Key at any time to restart the level.
---
I find myself proud of and possibly surprised by my ability to leap over harrowing gaps.
04
Even from back here, I can tell that the ledge ahead is too high for me to jump.
---
I begin to wonder what would happen if I pressed the Spacebar before I completed a level.
---
I feel confused.
And a bit tingly.
But mostly just confused.
---
I briefly attempt to think of something to think. Nothing worthwhile emerges.
05
I haven't talked to anyone lately, but at least I can solve my own problems.
---
Geronimo!
Levels 06-08
06
I see a wall blocking the path to the exit. I am dissatisfied.
---
This area down below is irritatingly spacious.
---
I think to myself that the best course of action is to pull this lever by pressing the A key.
---
I am grateful to my above-average ability to work alone.
07
I notice a a strange forcefield in this room. I become gradually more and more curious.
---
I find myself unable to comprehend the purpose of this forcefield. It doesn't seem to block me at all.
08
Understanding the forcefield, I notice that this room's field is greenish instead of pinkish.
Level 09-12
09
Staring at this worthlessly large staircase, I reflect on my past struggles.
---
Luckily for me, no one was watching as I hopped around like a crazy person.
10
I search for reasons why I don't desire companionship.
---
I settle on avoidance of the issue. I can clearly get by without others, anyway.
---
I find myself unable to leave the question alone. Why can I not be around with people?
11
I instantly notice how similar this room looks to the previous one, and almost feel cheated until I realise that my previous tactic will not work again.
12
It doesn't take long for me to understand that I'm going to need some timing to get through here.
---
Almost there...
---
I've gotten used to the idea of solving mental problems, but I still enjoy a test of my physical abilities here and there.
Level 13-16
13
I think back to the first day that Kathryn and I met. Our paths converged, and suddenly we were a team.
---
This was before I was as reclusive as I have become today, so I had not learned to truly multitask yet. That talent grow out of simple necessity.
---
Her approach was quiet, as was my response. The connection was instant and unmistakable. A team.
14
Mutual.
---
Perfect.
---
I wasn't ready to let it go.
15
When we faced a problem, we would solve it together. Today I find myself solving the same problems alone.
---
I was underappreciative. Plain and simple. Didn't understand just how much I needed her. How much she needed me.
16
It was perfect. Everything. It was all perfect.
---
I helped her, and she helped me. Mutual.
Level 17-20
17
I never suspected the end to come so quickly.
---
I found myself crushed by guilty. I didn't leave the house for days.
---
But she was gone.
18
And now I find myself alone. I can't handle talking to people anymore.
---
Internally, I visualize an overexcited man yelling "Checkpoint!"
---
I grudgingly consider how the ability to start over from a different perspective would have been helpful earlier in life.
Maybe I could have let Kathryn not meet me in the first place.
19
And like this, I continue.
20
What? Don't leave yet. I have more to say.
I really do.
Epilogue
I've been tasked with psychoanalyzing Jack after his mental breakdown. In general he recalls his life very accurately - The things he says line up with all of the records.
The first problem is that he doesn't seem to remember any of my visits. I've talked with him once a week for the past eight years, and he always tells me the same things as if we have never met before.
He described himself as a loner, and this makes a whole lot of sense, as he has been kept in solitary confinement for the duration of his stay at the hospital.
He always briefly talks about his life, and eventually gets into the story of how he lost a loved one, Kathryn.
He understands that she has died, and he certainly feels at least somewhat responsible, but he doesn't recall that he murdered her. She was found buried in their backyard in a green package - Evidently, it was the only box large enough for use as a coffin that Jack could find. Also of note were the two flowers that he planted next to the makeshift grave.
He considers her death to be the reason that he can't talk to people anymore. I suppose that in a way, he is correct.
This will be my final report on Jack. I don't find any reason to believe that he will recover from his current state of severe mental illness, and he is far too dangerous to himself and others to allow his release.
The End
A very special thanks to all of the testers:
(credits roll)
Thanks again, everyone.
The shrink leaves, and suddenly I don't even have a person to tell my story to anymore.
Wow this game is deep
and sad. The end I reckon is good but leaves me feeling kind of sad and kind of disturbed, but it's good.
So well made. I got stuck on level 19 doing counting and timing and stuff lol.
I think it's interesting, the part where
you have to kill Kathryn. I obviously realised that one would have to die and tried to make it Jack instead of Kathryn, when the "not being able to jump on her head" thing caught up with me.
To me, the realisation dawned on me in this way -- of course she wouldn't be able to carry a full grown man. He would naturally have to lift HER up.
i just loved the game....i just finished it and i cant wait to play it again....and even the story is catchy also....and the music.....i've fallen in love with it for ever!!! i dont have anything to object against this game....great job!!
well, i think that actually the last level(20) was easier than the 19th level to be solved, but in the last level you only need one more thing, it is something called 'LUCK', that's all.
Loki.
the first level with the pink forcefield you get infinit drones but they cant get in the pit and i cant jump out
Hey have you guys played "You Find Yourself In A Room"? It's a really cool game that was created by the same guy who came up with Company of Myself.
Also, he is planning to make a sequel to Company called "Grief", which is from the point of view of Jack's psychiatrist, Henry.
Another completely unrelated game by him called "This Is A Work Of Fiction." is going to be realeased soon.
You guys should totally check it out! You can go to his blog, however I cannot tell you what the website is or I may get in trouble. :(
[Actually this entire comment is off-topic and subject to deletion. We have a review ready for YFYIAR. Look for it soon. Please keep your comments pertaining to the game being reviewed and discussed on the page. Thank you kindly. -Jay]
could someone please post the script(words said in the game) , i just want to read it without the time of the game. thanks ^_^
How do I beat that level with the four lever thingies? I think it's like the 7th level or around there.
This game doesn't work on 64bit Linux Flash ..
i really suck at this game does anyone know how to get past the staircase lvl????
Nice interpretations of the story, but the game does say the he murdered his wife and doesnt remember it. So yes, he is a psycopath.
bestest game ever love it so much
I really loved the game, it does seem that he is a phsycopath and he can't bring himself to accept that he killed Kathryn. Maybe the only way Jack can be "normal" again is maybe to forget Kathryn, but that's just a hypothesis. Loved the game, loved the story, can't wait to see more :)
What really got to me was
On my second play through, on the last level, I had the volume way up, and I listened to the thunderous sound of dozens of shadows of myself throwing themselves over the edge, just so that I could make it.
What i want to know is what if you had stayed.
feels like a Braid rip-off at first, but the more i played, the more the game stands on its own
The ending was sad. :/ Especially considering the prequel...
Have you played Daymare Town.. it's a whole series and it is awesome.. and just as disturbing!!
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Game of the week
Walkthrough Guide
(Please allow page to fully load for spoiler tags to be functional.)
The Company Of Myself Walkthrough
Level 1
Just walk to the right.
Level 2
Walk to the right again, jumping over the platforms.
Level 3
Hop across the platforms and reach the exit.
Level 4
Walk to the right wall
Hit space to reverse time
Jump on the shadows head and walk to the right.
Level 5
Walk to the edge of the platform, and then hit space.
Walk to the edge of the platform and jump on your shadows head and get to the next pillar. Hit space.
Wait for the second shadow to get onto the pillar and then use it to get to the next pillar, hit space. Repeat until you can reach the top pillar and then go to the goal.
Level 6
Jump across the gap, and keep walking right for about 10 seconds. Hit space
This time go down the gap and move to the lever and hit A to use it.
Level 7
Move over the platform to the right, and stand in the middle of it. Hit space.
Move to the left and use the lever.
Level 8
Keep walking right for about 5 seconds and then hit space.
Level 9
for this one you can try to time your jumps as if you were going up the stairs, or you can just jump and move right a bunch of times until you think you'd be at the top, then hit A
Walk to the exit and wait for your shadow to use the lever
Level 10
Walk off the cliff and drop down. Wait there for a second, and then walk across to the other side. Hit space.
Drop down on your shadows head, and stand there while he walks across. Then hop to the exit.
Level 11
This time do the same thing as last time but in reverse order.
Wait a second, then drop down and wait until you WOULD be across and hop to the exit. Hit space.
Drop down and wait until your shadow is on your head, walk across and wait for him to hop to the exit.
Level 12
For this one you will have to pull the levers in order with your first shadow, and time it so when you go you jump across the platforms. To do it I just jumped before I pulled each lever as an indicator when to jump off the platform
Level 13
Walk to the goal with the Male, hit space.
Walk to the goal with the female.
Level 14
Have the male go on one side pulling each lever, and the female go on the other side, pulling all her levers.
Level 15
Move the male to the wall and have the female jump on him and then pull the lever.
Repeat
Level 16
Use the male as a way to get the female to the black lever, but don't pull it yet.
Move the male down and beside the black wall
Pull the black lever with the female
Have the male pull the pink lever and then move to the exit
Move the female to the exit.
Level 17
Have the female pull the pink lever.
Have the male pull the black lever and go to the exit.
Level 18
walk to the lever, wait a few seconds and then pull it. Jump to the flower, and then hit space.
Jump up the platforms and wait for your shadow to pull the lever and walk to the goal
Level 19
For this one just keep walking right and jumping. When you hit the wall hit space. Eventually enough shadows will make it across that you can jump on them.
Level 20
Repeat the same thing as last time. just keep walking right and jumping. Sooner or later you or a shadow will make it across.
Posted by: Kero
|
November 24, 2009 4:15 PM