Post-Game Content

Congratulations on completing Braid! While the main narrative concludes with the Princess's revelation, your journey through time manipulation is far from over. The post-game content primarily revolves around the elusive Stars and a deeper understanding of the game's intricate mechanics and lore. This section will guide you through collecting all eight Stars, including the notoriously tricky "missable" ones, and provide strategies for tackling the challenging Speed Run mode.

Collecting All Eight Stars

The true ending of Braid, and a deeper appreciation for its narrative, is unlocked by collecting all eight hidden Stars. These are not merely collectibles; each Star often requires a unique approach to time manipulation and a keen eye for environmental clues. Be prepared to revisit every world with a fresh perspective.

General Star-Hunting Strategies

• Think Outside the Box: Many Stars require unconventional uses of Tim's abilities. Don't be afraid to experiment with rewinding, pausing, and even dying strategically.
• Observe the Environment: Look for subtle visual cues, unusual platforms, or seemingly inaccessible areas. These often hint at a Star's location.
• Patience is Key: Some Stars are incredibly challenging and will require multiple attempts and careful planning. Don't get discouraged!
• Utilize the Time Stop Ring: For certain Stars, the Time Stop Ring (found in World 5) is absolutely essential for precise platforming and enemy manipulation.

Specific Star Locations and Walkthroughs

World 2: Time and Forgiveness

There are two Stars in World 2.

• Star 1 (2-1): In the very first area, after you learn to rewind time. Instead of progressing right, climb the ladder to the left. You'll see a platform high above. The trick here is to lure an enemy (a green monster) onto the platform below, then jump on its head to gain extra height, rewinding if necessary to adjust your jump. From there, jump to the higher platform to reach the Star.
• Star 2 (2-3): In the area with the moving platforms and the cannon. You need to reach a high platform on the far left. The strategy involves manipulating the cannon's shots. Stand on the moving platform, trigger the cannon, and then rewind time to position yourself perfectly to jump on a cannonball mid-air. Use the cannonball as a temporary platform to reach the Star.

World 3: Time and Mystery

This world contains the infamous "missable" Star. There are two Stars in World 3.

• Star 1 (3-1): This is the missable Star. To obtain this, you MUST NOT have assembled the "wine glass" portrait piece in the main hub world before attempting this. If you have, you will need to start a New Game.
  1. Proceed through World 3-1 until you reach the section with the large, green, carnivorous plant.
  2. Instead of using the plant to cross, you need to lure it to the far left edge of its path.
  3. Jump on top of the plant's head.
  4. As the plant moves right, jump off its head onto the high platform above, where the Star is located. If the portrait piece is assembled, the plant's behavior changes, making this impossible.
• Star 2 (3-5): In the area with the falling blocks. You need to reach a Star located high above. This requires precise timing and manipulation of the falling blocks. Position yourself so that a falling block creates a temporary staircase for you to ascend. Rewind frequently to adjust block placement and your jumps.

World 4: Time and Decision

There are two Stars in World 4.

• Star 1 (4-2): In the area with the moving platforms that disappear when you rewind. You need to reach a Star located on a high, isolated platform. The key here is to activate the platforms, then quickly run across them before they vanish due to your time manipulation. It's a test of speed and precision.
• Star 2 (4-4): This Star is found in the section with the large, rotating platforms. You need to use the platforms to reach a high ledge on the left. The challenge is that some platforms only appear or disappear based on your time flow. Carefully manipulate time to create a path, often requiring you to let time flow forward to make a platform appear, then quickly rewind to jump onto it before it disappears again.

World 5: Time and Pursuit

There is one Star in World 5.

• Star 1 (5-2): In the area where the Time Stop Ring is introduced. After obtaining the ring, you'll see a Star high above a series of enemies. Use the Time Stop Ring to freeze the enemies in mid-air, creating platforms for you to jump across to reach the Star. This requires careful placement of the ring and precise jumps.

World 6: Time and Loss

There is one Star in World 6.

• Star 1 (6-1): In the very first area of World 6, where everything moves in reverse when you move forward. The Star is located on a high platform to the left. You need to carefully navigate the reversed time flow. Jump towards the Star, and as you fall, move right to rewind your fall and gain height, effectively "flying" up to the Star. This is one of the most conceptually challenging Stars.

Speed Run Mode

After completing the game, a "Speed Run" option becomes available from the main menu. This mode challenges you to complete the entire game, from World 2 to the final encounter, as quickly as possible. All puzzle pieces are already collected, allowing you to focus purely on efficient movement and puzzle-solving.

Speed Run Tips:

• Practice Individual Levels: Before attempting a full speed run, practice each level individually to optimize your routes and puzzle solutions.
• Minimize Rewinds: While rewinding is essential for puzzles, excessive rewinding wastes precious time. Aim for perfect execution on your first or second attempt.
• Know the Puzzle Solutions: Since pieces are collected, you don't need to solve the puzzles to unlock the next world. However, understanding the solutions can help you navigate quickly through the puzzle rooms.
• Skip Dialogue: All dialogue can be skipped to save time.
• Master Movement: Learn the most efficient ways to jump, run, and climb. Every second counts!

Achieving a fast time in Speed Run mode is a true testament to your mastery of Braid's unique mechanics and a rewarding challenge for dedicated players.