Get to Know Alterna, Your Only Choice is the first level that you gain access to in Alterna, and showcases some of the mechanics present in Return of the Mammalians, like Ink Wheels, Canned Specials, and more.
Access[edit]
Starting right in front of the Squid Sisters Camp, you must head towards them, and then turn towards the large black rock, where the entrance is situated. After damaging the kettle enough to open it, you gain access to the level.
Weapon Choices[edit]
The only weapon available is the Hero Gear.
Checkpoint One[edit]
Checkpoint one starts off with a short platform leading to a Ride Rail, which takes you down a curvy path past two balloons. At the end of the ride rail is a Squid Ring that you must jump to reach. After landing, there are two orange boxes containing power eggs. Following the small slope leads you to a large center area, with three sections you must go to in order to obtain a key, and three sections that will allow you to get extra power eggs.
Bottom Left Path[edit]
After activating a Gusher, there is a small path leading to a small gap, which requires you to toss Smallfry at the Ink Rail, activating it and allowing you to get across. after the Ink Rail, there is a Propeller, with a balloon underneath the platform. If you shoot the propeller, it will take you to a platform with a key and a checkpoint. After jumping down, there is a small area with two Dash Tracks, which also show you that you cannot go through grates while in kid form. Continuing past the Squee-G and the Sprinkler will take you to the next section.
Top Left Path[edit]
After passing the Squee-G, you are greeted with an Ink Switch that must be shot, causing a paintable block to become accessible to climb up. Smallfry can also cause the Ink Switch to rotate, and will keep the block fully out. After climbing up the block there is a balloon floating over the abyss, and to the left is another paintable block, which has another Squee-G on it. You can either quickly paint a line up the block and climb before it sucks up the ink, or you can throw Smalfry at it to disable it. After climbing up the block, you can grab the key, trigger the checkpoint and make your way to the next section.
Top Right Path[edit]
After jumping down from the checkpoint, if you turn left and swim over to the bounce pad, you can bounce up to an orange crate, which contains a power egg pack, and get an extra twenty-five eggs. This section is completely optional, but very useful for getting extra power eggs.
Bottom Right Path[edit]
If you head in the opposite direction to the bounce pads, there is an Ink Wheel. Shooting it causes it to travel down the skinny path, before triggering an ink sponge, allowing you to reach the next section. After climbing up the sponge there are two Ride Rails above a small platform. As you ride across them, you have the option to jump across to grab some Squid Rings that are in between the two rails. After that there is an Inkfurler, which you must shoot to activate. Afterwards, there is another Inkfurler, now vertical, which must be shot to climb up it. The platform has two blocks on it and an infinitely re-spawning Canned Special, which contains a Trizooka, on the opposite side. After grabbing the Trizooka you can activate it by pressing in the right stick, where you'll then be able to shoot both of the Shielded Octotroopers and the Inkfurler allowing you to reach the final key.
Top Middle Path[edit]
After collecting all three keys, you can head towards the top path, and unlocking each vault in order. Doing this allows you to reach the goal.