One and One Story
Once upon a time there was a boy and a girl who couldn't stay apart no matter how often it seemed like the world and their own emotions were trying to make that happen. A puzzle platformer with a beautiful sense of style and a sweet, nostalgic look at relationships, Mattia Traverso's game is short but well made and surprisingly warm and fuzzy. D'awwww.
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I just wanted to say how relieved I personally was that this game had such an optimistic message. I get that games with more cynical/bitter/remorseful narratives can be really powerful and resonate with you if you've been through that sort of thing, but I think it's equally important to focus on the good in life. I play a lot of games that I would call mild to moderately depressing, and seeing something like this was extremely refreshing. Rock on, dudes and dudettes. Love one another.
I agree with Dora's comment about how refreshing it was to see an "artsy" game that had an optimistic, heartwarming message instead of a bleak, relentlessly cynical message. I get that True Art Is Angsty and all, but I like the acknowledgement that life isn't a 100% angstfest and love isn't always something that will inevitably break your heart and leave you embittered forever.
On a sidenote, I was able to complete this in spite of sucking at platform games in general, and any platform game I'm able to complete with a definite degree of enjoyment gets a thumbs-up from me.
Actually, I don't think art is "supposed" to be anything because it's entirely subjective. Art is whatever makes you personally stop and think, or maybe more importantly, stop and feel. We've seen a wide variety of games that explore that from a more morose perspective, so this was really welcome.
If you feel something for it, it's art to you, whether it's happy, sad, angry, or a picture of a watermelon balanced on a disapproving buffalo.
@Dora
Good point. I've become so used to "art" being used as the term for something grandiose or profound that I forget art has a broader range than that. Art probably means something different to every individual depending on their tastes, and mine just so happen to lean more towards optimistic or at least hopeful than bleak.
usually when i see a game rated 4,7 by so many viewers on jay i know that i'll enjoy it. not in this case. the game itself is a mediocre puzzler, the narrative around it understandably appeals to some people (the overly romantic type), not so much to me. quite cheesy, really. i would never consider giving this more than two, maybe three stars
One and One Story walkthrough
General Information
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You can't fall more than three "blocks" of height.
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You can jump across gaps two blocks across, three if you are also falling and have momentum on your side.
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You can jump over obstacles one block high
Intro
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Jump the gap, push the block right, and wait on the ledge to the right.
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Switch to the pink character, jump the spikes, then drop to meet the blue character.
Level I: Once we were shadows
You can control both characters independently. Use "Z" to switch from Blue to Pink. You always start the round controlling Blue.
I.1
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Push the block onto the spikes, then climb down to the right. Jump the spikes using the block.
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Switch to Pink. Climb the steps and meet Blue.
I.2
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Push both blocks off the edges. Jump down onto the right-hand block.
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Push the block onto the spikes and use the block to get across the spikes.
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Switch to Pink, and push the block to the right.
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Switch to Blue and drop onto the block. Go to Pink.
I.3
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With Blue go up and push the block into Pink's well.
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Go down and across the spikes, then push the block to the right.
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Switch to Pink. Use the block to get out of the well, then push the second block off the edge to the right.
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Jump the gap, then from the lower vantage drop onto the blocks. Drop again to meet Blue.
Level II: When she saw me, she ran to me.
You can only control Blue. Anytime you are at the same height as Pink, she will start moving towards you regardless of hazards in her way.
II.1
This is about speed. Jump up and drop the block as in I.1. Climb down, then get across the spikes quickly, before Pink makes it to the edge of the spike pit.
II.2
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Move into Pink's line of sight and wait for her to drop to the next level down.
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Go down to the right and wait again for Pink to jump down.
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Jump down and get across the spikes quickly, before Pink lands on them.
II.3
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Go up and drop the block off the edge to the left, to protect Pink from the spikes.
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Climb down to the right. Stay in Pink's line of sight until she drops down to the next ledge.
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Jump the spikes to get to Pink.
Level III: Then we walked together.
You control both characters simultaneously. Blocks won't prevent either character from moving, but fixed portions of the landscape will.
III.1
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Go up and push the block over the ledge with Blue.
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Pay attention to Pink, and move her right. Jump Pink over the spikes twice and have her go up to meet Blue
III.2
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Paying attention to Blue, jump across and push the block to the edge of the ledge. As soon as the block falls, move right quickly to get Pink out from under it.
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Move Blue to the other side of the wall, then paying attention to Pink, move the block as far right as it will go.
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Now paying attention to Blue, push the second block off the ledge. Finish the level as in I.2
III.3
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Paying attention to Blue, push the block off the ledge. Drop onto it.
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Move Pink into the corner behind the short wall.
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Use Blue to push the block off the platform, and then down into the spike well. Drop Blue onto the block.
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Move pink to the edge of the well, then make her jump to the block with Blue.
Level IV: Sometimes we had different views.
You move both characters simultaneously, but they move in opposite directions from each other. Blue moves in the direction of the arrow keys.
IV.1
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Play as in I.1 except keep a close eye on Pink. Whenever she nears the edge of the spikes, move Blue to the right. He should run up against an obstacle while Pink keeps moving to the edge of the screen.
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For the last jump across the spikes, make sure Blue and Pink are at the edge of the spikes at the same time, so that they meet on the block.
IV.2
Play as in I.2, except make sure not to accidentally push the block all the way to the left edge of the screen.
IV.3
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For the first part of the level, pay attention to Pink. Get her down to the very bottom level safely without killing Blue by falling straight off each ledge, and pushing the block twice to cover the spikes.
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As soon as Pink is on the bottom ledge, move Blue to climb onto his block, and drop down twice to meet Pink.
Level V: And she was running away.
You only control Blue. Pink moves at a constant rate to the right, regardless of hazards.
V.1
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Go left quickly and push the block, to save Pink from the spikes.
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Go back to the right and down the staircase to meet Pink.
V.2
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Push the block quickly, before Pink gets to the place where it will land.
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Go right and climb down the ledges to meet Pink.
Level VI: Without her I felt like a heavy rock.
You can control both Blue and Pink independently, using "Z" to switch. Blue is unable to jump.
VI.1
Switch to Pink and have her meet Blue.
VI.2
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Switch to Pink and jump across the gap. Push the block down to Blue.
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Switch to Blue. Push the block over the edge.
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Switch to Pink. Climb down the ledges on the right.
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Move the block so that you can reach the platform with the second block. Push the second block onto the first one.
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Push the stack of blocks left to the spot where Blue will land.
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Switch to Blue. Drop onto the blocks, then drop again to meet Pink.
VI.3
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Push the left block off the edge, then drop onto it.
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Get off the block and push it off the edge.
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Push the right block off the edge, then drop onto it.
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Switch to Pink. Move the block to line up with either edge of the platform above.
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Switch to Blue. Push one of the blocks off the edge to land on the block on the ground. Drop onto the stack of blocks, then again to meet Pink.
Level VII: And I realized
You can only see a small area around each character. The layout of the level is the exact same as I.1 and can be solved the same way.
Level VIII: Once we were shadows/that now we're Lights
Walk along the white text. As you near the end of each set of words, a new set will appear.
Bonus Levels
You control each character independently, using arrows for Blue and WAD for Pink.
Level I
Move towards each other.
Level II
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Use Blue to drop the block.
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Use Pink to climb onto the platform and push the second block to create a stack of two blocks.
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Use Pink to push the stack of blocks to the right.
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Move both characters to meet in the well on the far right of the screen.
Level III
This level can be solved only using Pink. Jump the spikes, climb the stairs, go right, climb the second and third sets of stairs, and jump across the gaps to meet Blue.
Level IV
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Move both Pink and Blue down, using their respective blocks to safely cross the set of spikes in the middle of the screen.
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They won't meet and kiss in this level. Instead, they will fall down the well in the middle bottom of the screen to arrive in the next level.
Level V
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Move each character to the edge of their side of the screen to get them to the lower level.
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Have each character climb the stairs and meet in the midde.
Level VI
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Use Blue to push the block, then follow after it to teleport to the top of the screen.
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Move Blue to the right, then have him push the block off the edge to where Pink is standing.
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Move Blue to the far left of the screen to have him teleport to the bottom right.
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Make Blue push the block against the wall.
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Use Pink to push the block right, then climb up the stairs.
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Make Pink push the block off the edge to create a stack of two blocks on the ground.
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Drop Pink twice to meet Blue.
Level VII
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This is all Pink and all Timing
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Go down three times, across the gap where blocks are falling. For each drop, wait until a block is right at Pink's level, then have her move either left or right quickly. No need to jump -momentum from the drop will get her across the gap.
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After three drops, instead of cross the gap directly, move Pink to the stairs to the right and then back to the edge of the gap.
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Depending on which hand is your dominant hand, have either Pink or Blue jump the gap, timing the jump to go over a block when it is just above the level the characters are on.
Level VIII
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Use Blue to jump the gap and push the block into the left well.
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Use the block to help Pink get over the obstacle.
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Have Pink jump to the next platform. Use the block to get her over the obstacle.
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Have Pink climb down the platforms to the bottom level and meet Blue.
Level IX
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Use Blue to push the block into the well.
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Use Pink to push the block off the edge.
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Repeat with the second block Blue has access to.
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Jump Pink across the gap and have her push the third block onto the stack.
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Drop Pink onto her stack of blocks, then down onto the platform.
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Push the stack of blocks to the left onto the ground, then drop onto them.
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Blue can push the blocks into the well, and Pink will fall straight down onto the ground.
Level X
Don't try to jump the spikes. Instead have each character climb down the ledges on their side of the screen, and drop into the well on the bottom level.
@Thrilling
I agree 100% with your post. Games on Jay is Games are becoming VERY overrated. If you look under new games and click "more->"you will see that EVERY game that has enough votes has a score higher than three stars. I only trust the score if it is based off of 300 ratings or so and the average is above 4. That being said, this was a basic platform game that replayed the same levels over and over again with the same quirks that have been used many times before (switch between characters, one goes left the other goes right, and don't forget, pushing blocks!). Zero challenge here, I beat the game in 5 minutes. The visuals were kinda nice until I realized the author just rehashed the same elements with a different color in every scene. The music did not annoy me until I heard the break in the track where you could tell it was just a long loop. The sound effects DID annoy me throughout the entire game, why do both characters sound like they are walking on stone when they are clearly walking on grass and snow?
@Crabbadon
Nice observation. The girl in this story is also suicidal and its up to the boy to save her.
In all I gave this game a 1. I think its worth a 2 for the above average visuals but I had to give it a 1 to lower the overall average. 4.6 out of 147 votes is just wrong.
[Ratings for games are very subjective. Just because you think a game doesn't merit a rating of 4.6 doesn't mean most people agree with you. Please note that we don't just post any game that comes along here at Jay is Games, we have a team of reviewers who evaluate and decide if a game is worthy. We generally pick games that we feel would rate at least a 3.5 or higher. We don't always get it right, but most of the time we do. That's why most of the games on this site have an above average rating because we believe they deserve it. We work very hard to filter out the crap. If a game warrants a rating of a 1 or 2, you won't see it on this site (games that do score 2 or below are removed). -Jay]
@Crabbadon: I'm so glad I wasn't the only one who noticed that. I'm a sappy thing so I enjoy the little games about relationships, but it feels like it's almost always a boy's perspective about a girl. Would be nice to see a girl's perspective about relationships sometimes too, or at least a game that let the player choose which character they wanted to control. That said, it was a cute game, and I finished it without getting too bored. 3/5 from me.
@LarryWashington: I don't think the girl was supposed to be suicidal, just that the disagreements the characters had made her want to give up on the relationship. The mechanics made it seem like she was suicidal, but the text in the story didn't suggest that even one bit. It's kind of confusing and that's another reason I didn't rate higher.
I would like to thank Jay is Games for the review and everyone who tried the game.
I'll try to answer as i could:
@Thrilling: As latins said, "de gustibus" :D It's very hard to make a game like this one that appeals to everyone, considering the theme!
@Crabbadon: The game has a male narrative because.. well, i'm a male. I can't feel like a girl would and i did not want to be hypocrite about it!
@LarryWashington: The difference from other games that used those mechanics (imho) is that in this game, they are related to the narrative. Also, each new mechanic has his own graphics set, i'm not re-using the same with different colours! Just look at the trees :)
Thanks again!
I can not get Bonus Level VII. The nature of the challenge on this level is so different than that of all the other levels and it's frustrating to be so close to the end and unable to progress.
Also, when I click on "Help Me", absolutely nothing happens. I'm pretty sure it's supposed to open a video walkthrough in another window/tab (because that's what happened the other day in earlier level) but today, not so much.
I was really enjoying this game, but V.1 is just an exercise in frustration. No matter what I do, I can't move fast enough to get the rock where it needs to be. If I'm really quick on the draw,
then I get to hit her on the head with it.
Am I missing something obvious about how to do it, or is it really just that tricky?
I completed the game and am about to work on the bonus levels. I heard there's a secret to unlock the bonus levels without completing story mode, and I'm curious as to what it is; I opened up the game in a different site so I could try to find it, but I'm not having any luck. Does anyone know what the secret is?
i rly loved this game! its so adorable! *sniffle* i do agree tho with @cendare about the ending. i think the last two words should have been left off. for all the guys out there saying this game was corny or average or whatever: its really cute when youre a girl but also maybe you wouldnt know because all you do is complain and no girl has stayed with you long enough for you to have known you were in love! so ther! XD girl power! btw that was kind of a joke. im sure you all hav very nice girlfriends or wives!
luv u all!
-meg
Though this wasn't my favorite, it was in the top three. I tend to love those that are deeper, darker, and sadder. It is strange, i know. I LOVE writing, and the book i am writing and the stories i have written are all arranged around the sad past of the main character/s. I guess sorrow is my specialty... but i'm not depressed. I'm perfectly happy :) Anyways, it is games like these- touching, sad, dark, and deep- that i think are the bests. Awesome job, one and one story! You're my second favorite, But my first favorite is Loved... sorry
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Walkthrough Guide
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One and One Story walkthrough
General Information
You can't fall more than three "blocks" of height.
You can jump across gaps two blocks across, three if you are also falling and have momentum on your side.
You can jump over obstacles one block high
Intro
Jump the gap, push the block right, and wait on the ledge to the right.
Switch to the pink character, jump the spikes, then drop to meet the blue character.
Level I: Once we were shadows
You can control both characters independently. Use "Z" to switch from Blue to Pink. You always start the round controlling Blue.
I.1
Push the block onto the spikes, then climb down to the right. Jump the spikes using the block.
Switch to Pink. Climb the steps and meet Blue.
I.2
Push both blocks off the edges. Jump down onto the right-hand block.
Push the block onto the spikes and use the block to get across the spikes.
Switch to Pink, and push the block to the right.
Switch to Blue and drop onto the block. Go to Pink.
I.3
With Blue go up and push the block into Pink's well.
Go down and across the spikes, then push the block to the right.
Switch to Pink. Use the block to get out of the well, then push the second block off the edge to the right.
Jump the gap, then from the lower vantage drop onto the blocks. Drop again to meet Blue.
Level II: When she saw me, she ran to me.
You can only control Blue. Anytime you are at the same height as Pink, she will start moving towards you regardless of hazards in her way.
II.1
This is about speed. Jump up and drop the block as in I.1. Climb down, then get across the spikes quickly, before Pink makes it to the edge of the spike pit.
II.2
Move into Pink's line of sight and wait for her to drop to the next level down.
Go down to the right and wait again for Pink to jump down.
Jump down and get across the spikes quickly, before Pink lands on them.
II.3
Go up and drop the block off the edge to the left, to protect Pink from the spikes.
Climb down to the right. Stay in Pink's line of sight until she drops down to the next ledge.
Jump the spikes to get to Pink.
Level III: Then we walked together.
You control both characters simultaneously. Blocks won't prevent either character from moving, but fixed portions of the landscape will.
III.1
Go up and push the block over the ledge with Blue.
Pay attention to Pink, and move her right. Jump Pink over the spikes twice and have her go up to meet Blue
III.2
Paying attention to Blue, jump across and push the block to the edge of the ledge. As soon as the block falls, move right quickly to get Pink out from under it.
Move Blue to the other side of the wall, then paying attention to Pink, move the block as far right as it will go.
Now paying attention to Blue, push the second block off the ledge. Finish the level as in I.2
III.3
Paying attention to Blue, push the block off the ledge. Drop onto it.
Move Pink into the corner behind the short wall.
Use Blue to push the block off the platform, and then down into the spike well. Drop Blue onto the block.
Move pink to the edge of the well, then make her jump to the block with Blue.
Level IV: Sometimes we had different views.
You move both characters simultaneously, but they move in opposite directions from each other. Blue moves in the direction of the arrow keys.
IV.1
Play as in I.1 except keep a close eye on Pink. Whenever she nears the edge of the spikes, move Blue to the right. He should run up against an obstacle while Pink keeps moving to the edge of the screen.
For the last jump across the spikes, make sure Blue and Pink are at the edge of the spikes at the same time, so that they meet on the block.
IV.2
Play as in I.2, except make sure not to accidentally push the block all the way to the left edge of the screen.
IV.3
For the first part of the level, pay attention to Pink. Get her down to the very bottom level safely without killing Blue by falling straight off each ledge, and pushing the block twice to cover the spikes.
As soon as Pink is on the bottom ledge, move Blue to climb onto his block, and drop down twice to meet Pink.
Level V: And she was running away.
You only control Blue. Pink moves at a constant rate to the right, regardless of hazards.
V.1
Go left quickly and push the block, to save Pink from the spikes.
Go back to the right and down the staircase to meet Pink.
V.2
Push the block quickly, before Pink gets to the place where it will land.
Go right and climb down the ledges to meet Pink.
Level VI: Without her I felt like a heavy rock.
You can control both Blue and Pink independently, using "Z" to switch. Blue is unable to jump.
VI.1
Switch to Pink and have her meet Blue.
VI.2
Switch to Pink and jump across the gap. Push the block down to Blue.
Switch to Blue. Push the block over the edge.
Switch to Pink. Climb down the ledges on the right.
Move the block so that you can reach the platform with the second block. Push the second block onto the first one.
Push the stack of blocks left to the spot where Blue will land.
Switch to Blue. Drop onto the blocks, then drop again to meet Pink.
VI.3
Push the left block off the edge, then drop onto it.
Get off the block and push it off the edge.
Push the right block off the edge, then drop onto it.
Switch to Pink. Move the block to line up with either edge of the platform above.
Switch to Blue. Push one of the blocks off the edge to land on the block on the ground. Drop onto the stack of blocks, then again to meet Pink.
Level VII: And I realized
You can only see a small area around each character. The layout of the level is the exact same as I.1 and can be solved the same way.
Level VIII: Once we were shadows/that now we're Lights
Walk along the white text. As you near the end of each set of words, a new set will appear.
Bonus Levels
You control each character independently, using arrows for Blue and WAD for Pink.
Level I
Move towards each other.
Level II
Use Blue to drop the block.
Use Pink to climb onto the platform and push the second block to create a stack of two blocks.
Use Pink to push the stack of blocks to the right.
Move both characters to meet in the well on the far right of the screen.
Level III
This level can be solved only using Pink. Jump the spikes, climb the stairs, go right, climb the second and third sets of stairs, and jump across the gaps to meet Blue.
Level IV
Move both Pink and Blue down, using their respective blocks to safely cross the set of spikes in the middle of the screen.
They won't meet and kiss in this level. Instead, they will fall down the well in the middle bottom of the screen to arrive in the next level.
Level V
Move each character to the edge of their side of the screen to get them to the lower level.
Have each character climb the stairs and meet in the midde.
Level VI
Use Blue to push the block, then follow after it to teleport to the top of the screen.
Move Blue to the right, then have him push the block off the edge to where Pink is standing.
Move Blue to the far left of the screen to have him teleport to the bottom right.
Make Blue push the block against the wall.
Use Pink to push the block right, then climb up the stairs.
Make Pink push the block off the edge to create a stack of two blocks on the ground.
Drop Pink twice to meet Blue.
Level VII
This is all Pink and all Timing
Go down three times, across the gap where blocks are falling. For each drop, wait until a block is right at Pink's level, then have her move either left or right quickly. No need to jump -momentum from the drop will get her across the gap.
After three drops, instead of cross the gap directly, move Pink to the stairs to the right and then back to the edge of the gap.
Depending on which hand is your dominant hand, have either Pink or Blue jump the gap, timing the jump to go over a block when it is just above the level the characters are on.
Level VIII
Use Blue to jump the gap and push the block into the left well.
Use the block to help Pink get over the obstacle.
Have Pink jump to the next platform. Use the block to get her over the obstacle.
Have Pink climb down the platforms to the bottom level and meet Blue.
Level IX
Use Blue to push the block into the well.
Use Pink to push the block off the edge.
Repeat with the second block Blue has access to.
Jump Pink across the gap and have her push the third block onto the stack.
Drop Pink onto her stack of blocks, then down onto the platform.
Push the stack of blocks to the left onto the ground, then drop onto them.
Blue can push the blocks into the well, and Pink will fall straight down onto the ground.
Level X
Don't try to jump the spikes. Instead have each character climb down the ledges on their side of the screen, and drop into the well on the bottom level.
Posted by: MmeTurbulence | October 13, 2011 3:41 PM