Mechanics Reference

Check the controls, see how objects interact, then return to your puzzle.

Choose a rule, then return to your puzzle

Use Undo to try a different move, compare hero abilities, or check how a stone interacts with a lily pad.

On this page

Controls, undo & restart

Default PC keys are listed below. If you have changed them, check Controls → Keyboard Controls in the game menu.

Z

Undo

Tap to undo your last action. Hold to keep undoing earlier actions. You can undo a restart too.

R

Restart

Restart the current puzzle. After activating a checkpoint, Restart returns you to that checkpoint. Restart is unavailable on the overworld.

Ctrl

Run & slow time

Hold to run while slowing the world down, giving you more time to place a tricky input.

Shift

Run

Hold to run.

More default PC controls

Additional default keyboard controls
Key	Action
`W A S D / Arrow keys`	Move
`X`	Primary action
`C`	Switch characters
`V`	Take or drop
`Q`	Local area view
`Tab`	Overhead view
`Space (hold)`	Level preview
`Alt (hold)`	Speed up time
`Esc`	Open the menu

Missing a stone? A guaranteed recovery method is not available. Compare your symptom before restarting →

Trying to understand a new region? Compare the four world systems and their combinations →

Hero abilities

Different heroes start with different abilities. A hero’s starting ability can also vary between puzzles.

See heroes & abilities →

Objects & mechanisms

Two ways a stone can affect a lily pad

Direct contact

A skipping stone that hits a lily pad head-on pushes the pad and stops skipping.

Passing beside a moving pad

A stone passing beside a moving lily pad can turn the pad while the stone keeps skipping.

The pad’s movement state affects the turn. For the Skipping Stones shrine, compare where the pads dock before trying to cross.

Want to see this in a puzzle? Start with a hint in the shrine guide, then reveal the steps when you need them.

See the Skipping Stones shrine example →

Signs & frozen blocks

Face an ordinary sign to read it. Frozen blocks linked to that sign thaw shortly afterwards. You do not need to press an action key.

Shrines, checkpoints & goals

Shrine orb: Walk a hero onto the orb to activate the shrine. You do not need to hit it with a stone.
Checkpoint: After a checkpoint is activated, press R to return to it. You can use Z to undo a restart.
Area completion: Activating a shrine does not mean you have finished every puzzle in the area.