Baba Is You is an indie game that was released in the spring of 2019, and it still gains a lot of traction today. It is a unique but challenging puzzle game where the player can change the rules by which they play.
While the aesthetic of the puzzles is pleasing and the characters are cute, it is a game that will leave the player frustrated, dedicated, and often looking up online how to complete the puzzle. It is known for making the player think outside the box and let go of the black-and-white way of thought. While the game is hard, there are some helpful hints and tips to look out for if the player finds themselves stuck or needs a reminder on what to look out for.
Check Out The Surroundings
Before beginning the game, it is best to thoroughly explore the first area and its surroundings. Take the time to look at the overview of the phrases, , and objects that are there and where they are located.
Some players find themselves beginning to move around right away before taking the time to look back and take in the whole puzzle, and this causes them to get frustrated and have to start over. Patience is key when facing these puzzles, and gaining the information of what lies before the player is a helpful hint.
Different Worlds
In some worlds, there are moving objects, and, much like the previous hint of looking at surroundings, it's important to wait and see where the moving objects go to and from, or to see how certain systems may interact with one another. Akin to some of the toughest Legend of Zelda dungeon puzzles, solutions only become obvious after some keen observance.
A lot of the time, these moving objects play an important role in completing the difficult puzzle, so staying patient and watching the movement a couple of times before moving will help with deciding on the movements.
Rules Can And Cannot Be Changed
In some levels in Baba Is You, rules are meant to be changed. In others, the rules are blocked by walls and cannot be touched. If the player is stuck on a level, they may be thinking that the rules are final when they in fact can be changed.
A helpful hint is to pause the game and look at the map to see all the rules that can be adjusted and the ones that cannot. Sometimes, all it takes is a small shift of thinking in order to realize which rules matter and which ones cannot be changed.
Make Your Own Victory
One of the unique traits about Baba Is You is that the player can make their own win conditions. If the requirements of the map are too complicated, there is freedom to change the rules.
The game usually has "Flag to Win," but this is not final, and the player is able to change the Win objective. This can make some levels easy, but it can drastically complicate others. Being cautious of the win condition and the ways to change it or keep it is an important tip to keep in mind.
Order Matters
There may be a situation where the player has all of the correct steps to complete the level, but the order may be wrong, and it's important to that the order matters. Don't give up on the steps, as they might just be right. Take the time to change the order of the steps in all the various ways possible.
Having the right steps but not taking the time to switch the order could waste more time and cause further frustration. Again, Baba Is You takes an incredible amount of patience and skill, but staying engaged and consistent is important.
Think Outside The Box
Baba Is You is not a normal puzzle game. The game requires the player to think outside of box for possibilities that may not be someone's first choice.
Black-and-white thinking is not something this game requires or embraces. Some players enjoy the game because it sparks creativity and is an escape from the everyday thinking in the world, and, for others, this is a good stretch of the mind.
Changing Baba
There are some levels where the player needs to change You, or Baba, in order to win the level. You can become a Wall, Rock, Keke, and numerous other objects and creatures. Changing Baba becomes an important tool as the levels grow in complexity, as is the case with many dungeons and puzzles in The Legend of Zelda.
However, in the midst of switching, the player needs to make sure they exist and are something. If they are not something, then the level will freeze, and it will likely tell the player to reset or undo the level.
Previous Puzzles
It is important to how previous puzzles are solved. Not only is it helpful for creating more opportunities to solve future puzzles, but there will be future puzzles that are crucial to beat if the player re previous ones. If the player takes a long break from the game, it's helpful to look back on old puzzles they've completed to recap on how they won.
Also, it's vital to that not all levels need to be completed to advance. New worlds will appear, and it's okay to move onto the next world. Players find it fun to go back to the unsolved puzzles and find a way to beat them with ease or with a new mindset.
Order Of Writing
Much like a cross puzzle, there are many ways the player can write, even from up to down. that nothing can be written from right to left (e.g. You is Baba) but it can be written from left to right (e.g. Baba is You).
This is helpful if there is only one Is in the level. Is can be placed in the middle, and words left to right and up to down can be used with the same Is. The allows for two rules to be made at the same time. This is a tactic this is used often, but it is always a great reminder. Baba Is You has difficult words, but the ability to create multiple rules into one can help.
Don't Burn Yourself Out
Since this game allows for such a unique way of thinking, it can be exhausting to the mind and can cause the player to burn out. that taking a break is good, and it allows the player to return with fresh eyes and a new mindset.
Players are surprised when they take a quick break and come back with a new outlook and how much they can achieve. This is not a game that is normally finished in one sitting, so don't rush through it.