Braid/World 5: Time and Decision

Braid icon Level 3-1.png 5-1 The Pit
A new world, a new game mechanic. This time The Pit will give us a puzzle piece as a reward. Jump down the pit and grab the piece, then rewind time to get back up again. Unfortunately, the puzzle piece is not a green-glowing one, so you will lose it when you rewind time. However, notice how a shadow image of Tim now jump down and grabs the piece for you. Yes, purple-glowing objects—like the puzzle piece—can be interacted with by Tim's shadow, who appear whenever you rewind time in this world. The shadow will mimic the corporal Tim's last movements and actions from before rewinding time. There's nothing else to do at this level, so continue out the door.

Braid icon Level 5-2.png 5-2 So Distant
The first puzzle piece you will see as soon as you enter the level, but it's sealed off by a barrier. Fortunately, there's a lever to operate it nearby. Climb up to it and flip it. The barrier will rise but as soon as it reaches its apex, it falls down again. You need to use Tim's shadow to help you. Start by going over to the barrier and wait beside it for a bit. Then move over to the lever and operate it; it'll rise and fall. Now, rewind time to the point where you were waiting beside the barrier. When you stop rewinding a shadow clone of Tim will move on over to the lever—just like Tim did before rewinding time—and flip it. Run left and you should be able to just squeeze through under the barrier before it falls down again. Take the piece and move on. The next puzzle piece will also be locked behind a barrier, and this barrier is too operated by a nearby lever. A Monstar patrolling the area, and you'll need him to reach the platforms above. Jump on him and bounce up the section with the lever on it. Flip it and the barrier will rise, and this one doesn't fall down again when reaching the top. But now the Monstar is gone, and you need him to get Tim up to the platform with the barrier. Rewind time to a point where the one and only Monstar is alive again and let time flow. A shadow will bounce off the Monstar's shadow and flip the lever. Now use the physical Tim and bounce of the Monstar up to the now aloft barrier. Climb the ladder, grab the puzzle piece, and exit through the door.

Braid icon Level 5-3.png 5-3
Once again there are two puzzle pieces in the level. The first one should be right above Tim when you enter the level, but it's locked behind a gate. The purple-glowing key to open it is visible on the other side of the nearby fire pit. Unfortunately, the pit is too large to jump over, so you will have to climb up and jump down to it. But now you can't get up again. Going right will trigger a Mimic to wake up and block your path, so that's a no-go. What you want to do is to grab the key and jump as far over the fire pit as you can. You won't make it over, but rewind time to about the time where Tim was still up on the platform by the locked gate. Climb down and walk up to the very edge of the fire pit's left side. Tim's shadow should run along and fetch the key and then try to jump past the fire pit. It won't make it either, but it should make it just far enough to be able to pass on the key to the real Tim on the other side. Now, climb up to the gate and get the puzzle piece. If you tried your luck with going right after you picked up the key before, you should know there is a Mimic which will block your path to the next puzzle piece. It won't attack like other Mimics, but simply guard the path underneath the second piece from intruders. Tim is too slow to outrun the Mimic under normal conditions, so he'll have to lure the Mimic away. Jump down any side of the path under the piece and lure the Mimic to follow you right up to the opening of the path. When the Mimic won't move any further, rewind time and wait for Tim's shadow to start luring the Mimic again. Jump down the other side and sprint for the ladder and ascend it. Grab the piece and rewind time until you're on top of the structure you're inside right now. Jump the floating platforms on the right to reach the exit door.