Starting the Game
When you first start BoneLab, the game will ask you to set your height and t-shirt size. It's best to use your real-life measurements. You will then begin in a small starting area where the game teaches you the basic controls.
Basic Controls and Inventory
Inventory System
Hold down the B button to open your inventory. You can store items on your body:
- Shoulders: Left and right shoulders for general items.
- Hips: For pistols only.
- Lower Back: A good spot for important items like key cards.
Slow-Motion Feature
Press the X button to activate slow-motion. It stays active as long as you are moving the joystick. Letting go of the joystick returns you to normal speed. You can press X multiple times to slow down even more.
How Levels Work
Checkpoints
As you play, you will see camera-shaped checkpoints. When you pass one, you will hear a camera sound. If you die, you will restart from the last checkpoint you passed.
Enemies
There are two main types of enemies early on: small creatures that jump at your face, and orange human-like enemies that slap you. They will often fight each other, which you can use to your advantage.
Key Items
Key Cards: These are used to open secret areas, which are optional but can contain bonus items.
Gacha Balls: You can break these open with your hands or by throwing them hard on the ground. They unlock new items you can use in the game's sandbox mode.
How to Progress (Unlocking the Main Hub)
At the beginning, you are in a limited area. To unlock the main game area (called the Hub), you need to:
- Go to the Parkour, Arena, and Experimental areas (one in each section). You don't need to finish the levels, just enter one and then leave.
- Once you do this, go up the stairs in the Hub. You will find a crane game.
- Use the crane to pick up orange balls from each of the three areas (Parkour, Arena, Experimental) and place them in the machine.
- After placing all three balls, the large quarantine door will open, allowing you to continue with the main story.
Final Tips
- The game does a good job of teaching you controls as you play, so pay attention to the messages that appear.
- Developer tools (like a flying gun) are unlocked after you finish the main game.
- You can add mods (fan-made content) by connecting a mod.io account in the game's menu.
This guide covers the very basics to help you get past the initial confusion. Most importantly, just explore and have fun learning how the game works.
