The Rippling Walls and the Wharf District serve both as introductory levels and tutorials.
The Rippling Walls[edit]
When the game starts, move to the doorway and follow the path until you reach the Cael Hammer, and pick it up. Attack the obstacles blocking the path, and proceed.
You will encounter your first enemy, the Gasfella. As you are currently invincible, you can attack him with your hammer. Once combat is over, Bastion will show your health meter, showing that the Kid is slightly injured. If desired, you can head to the south to a small staircase to retrieve some Fragments. Continue up the stairs and retrieve the Fang Repeater, a rapid-fire ranged weapon. Continue further to reach a fountain, where you can obtain Health Tonics and heal back to full health. After fighting off the Squirts, take the path to the right of the fountain to some Fragments, and take the path to the left of it for a memento, the Crystal Barrette. This will come in handy later, but for now, it offers a good chunk of experience. Once everything is collected and all Health Tonics are restored, enter the building, called the Saloon, to continue.
The Sole Regret[edit]
The Bullhead Shield will drop in, and you will need to pick it up. This allows you to reflect attacks, and if timed perfectly, will rebound the shot back at the attacker with a counter-block. You can test this on the Security Turret that activates, as well as on the three Gasfellas that drop in. This is followed by wave of five Gasfellas, and a large number of Squirts. When all enemies are defeated, you can exit the window at the eastern corner of the Saloon.
The Wharf District[edit]
The Kid lands on the Breaker's Bow upon exiting the Saloon, which is a replacement ranged weapon. It has a charge time, and if released when the Kid flashes, should do maximum damage. Soon after getting the bow, there are three Security Turrets that you can practice on. To the bottom-left of these turrets is Something Stringy, which can be used later for a weapon upgrade.
The security system is still active, but targets you. You can use the bow to destroy these turrets, or reflect the shots with the shield. You should then see the Whirl Wind Secret Skill, which allows the Kid to spin the Cael Hammer to destroy a large number of enemies, such as the Squirts that suddenly appear nearby. Continue to the north east to the Distillery, where you can select one of three Spirits to equip for a passive ability. You can also enter the Arsenal to swap weapons and Secret Skills. After entering and exiting both buildings, proceed to a small area with two Squirt generators. Destroy them, and step onto the vehicle to the right. Activate the switch to start it.
While riding the ship, you can reflect the turret attacks. The vehicle will stop just outside an arena. After you pick up Something Heavy, you will be attacked by two Scumbags and a Gasfella. If possible, destroy the Gasfella as soon as possible, as its attack will destroy part of the arena's floor. When all enemies and generators are destroyed, Fragments will drop from above, and the exit gate will unlock.
The Core is ahead. When you pick it up, the Wharf District will start to collapse. Run to the northeast, until you reach the Skyway. You may engage enemies or pick up items en-route, although note that the floor will be breaking apart.