Mastering ‘This Is The Only Level’: A Comprehensive Guide to Beating the Game

‘This Is The Only Level’ is a deceptively simple puzzle platformer that tasks you with completing the same level multiple times, each with a unique twist. While the core mechanics remain constant – you’re always controlling a character who can jump and move left or right – the challenges evolve in surprisingly creative and often hilarious ways. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough, offering detailed strategies and tips to overcome every variation and finally conquer ‘This Is The Only Level’.

## Understanding the Core Mechanics

Before diving into specific levels, it’s crucial to understand the fundamental mechanics of the game:

* **Movement:** Your character can move left and right using the arrow keys or A and D keys. Precise movement is critical, especially in later levels.
* **Jumping:** Press the spacebar, up arrow key, or W key to jump. The height of your jump is fixed, so mastering jump timing is essential.
* **Goal:** The objective is always the same: collect all the yellow dots (often called ‘pills’) and reach the exit door. The exit is usually located on the right side of the screen, though this can change.
* **Death:** Contact with any enemy results in instant death and restarts the level. Learn enemy patterns and avoid them at all costs.
* **The ‘Only Level’ Concept:** The core gameplay loop revolves around the same level being modified in various ways, introducing new challenges and requiring you to adapt your strategy.

## General Tips and Strategies

These tips will help you navigate the game more effectively, regardless of the specific level:

* **Observe Carefully:** Before making any moves, take a moment to observe the level layout, enemy patterns, and any new mechanics introduced. Planning your route is crucial.
* **Patience is Key:** ‘This Is The Only Level’ often requires precise timing and execution. Don’t get discouraged by repeated deaths. Learn from your mistakes and try again.
* **Anticipate Enemy Movement:** Most enemies follow predictable patterns. Learn these patterns to avoid collisions and plan your jumps accordingly.
* **Use Your Environment:** The environment can sometimes be used to your advantage. Look for opportunities to bounce off walls, use moving platforms, or trigger traps.
* **Experiment:** Don’t be afraid to try different approaches. Some levels have multiple solutions, and the most obvious path isn’t always the easiest.
* **Sound Cues:** Pay attention to the game’s audio cues. Sounds can often indicate enemy movement or the activation of traps.

## Level-by-Level Walkthrough

This section provides a detailed walkthrough of each variation in ‘This Is The Only Level’. Due to the numerous versions, the descriptions focus on the *mechanic* of each level rather than a specific step-by-step solution. The beauty of the game lies in figuring things out yourself, but these hints should nudge you in the right direction.

**Note:** Levels are grouped thematically based on the primary mechanic they introduce. The order you encounter these levels may vary slightly depending on the specific version of the game you are playing.

### 1. The Basics (Standard Platforming)

These levels introduce the basic mechanics of movement, jumping, and collecting dots. They’re generally straightforward but serve as a good warm-up.

* **Focus:** Practice your jumping and movement skills. Get comfortable with the character’s physics.
* **Tip:** Pay attention to the enemy’s movement pattern. Find the safest time to move past it.

### 2. Moving Platforms

These levels introduce platforms that move horizontally or vertically. Timing your jumps onto and off these platforms is crucial.

* **Focus:** Coordinate your jumps with the platform’s movement. Anticipate its trajectory.
* **Tip:** Some moving platforms might require you to jump *through* them to reach a higher area. Experiment with different jump angles.

### 3. Disappearing Platforms

These platforms disappear after you touch them, requiring you to move quickly and plan your route carefully.

* **Focus:** Plan your route in advance. You only have one chance to cross each disappearing platform.
* **Tip:** Sometimes, you can use the disappearing platform to trigger a chain reaction, opening up new paths.

### 4. Inverted Controls

These levels reverse your left and right movement controls, adding a layer of confusion and challenge.

* **Focus:** Mentally adjust to the reversed controls. Practice moving in both directions to re-calibrate your muscle memory.
* **Tip:** Visualize your movements before executing them. Think about which direction you *need* to go, rather than which button you *want* to press.

### 5. Invisible Platforms

These platforms are hidden from view, requiring you to use trial and error (or this guide!) to find them.

* **Focus:** Pay attention to the surrounding environment. Look for visual cues that might hint at the location of invisible platforms.
* **Tip:** Jump frequently to reveal hidden platforms. Even if you don’t see anything, a jump might uncover a path forward.
* **Advanced Tip:** Sometimes, very small pixel-sized platforms exist. Jump deliberately into seemingly empty space.

### 6. Bouncing Platforms

These platforms propel you upwards, allowing you to reach higher areas.

* **Focus:** Control your horizontal movement while bouncing. Use the left and right arrow keys to adjust your position in the air.
* **Tip:** Some bouncing platforms launch you at a specific angle. Plan your jump accordingly to land safely on the next platform.

### 7. Speed Boosts

These levels introduce areas that drastically increase your movement speed, making precise control even more challenging.

* **Focus:** Anticipate the increased speed. Make small adjustments to your movements to avoid overshooting your target.
* **Tip:** Use the speed boost to your advantage. You can often use it to jump over large gaps or reach otherwise inaccessible areas.

### 8. Slow Motion

The opposite of speed boosts, these areas slow down your movement, requiring you to adjust your timing and jump accordingly.

* **Focus:** Be patient. Your jumps will be shorter and your movement slower, so plan your actions carefully.
* **Tip:** Use the slow motion to your advantage when precise platforming is required. It can give you more time to react to obstacles.

### 9. Enemy Variations (Faster, Smarter, More)

These levels introduce new enemy types or modify the behavior of existing enemies, making them more difficult to avoid.

* **Focus:** Study the new enemy patterns. Learn their movement speed, range, and any special abilities they might have.
* **Tip:** Some enemies can be tricked or manipulated. Experiment with different strategies to find the most effective way to avoid them.

### 10. Gravity Inversion

These levels flip the gravity, causing you to fall upwards instead of downwards.

* **Focus:** Mentally adjust to the inverted gravity. Remember that you are now jumping downwards, not upwards.
* **Tip:** Use the ceiling as your new floor. Plan your movements and jumps accordingly.

### 11. Darkness

These levels significantly reduce your visibility, making it harder to see the platforms and enemies.

* **Focus:** Rely on your memory and intuition. Remember the layout of the level from previous attempts.
* **Tip:** Jump frequently to briefly illuminate your surroundings. This can help you locate platforms and enemies.
* **Advanced Tip:** Sometimes a small area around the character is lit. Exploit this area to learn surrounding platform position. Jump into what seems like nothing, in some cases you’ll land on a platform.

### 12. Teleporters

These levels introduce teleporters that instantly transport you to a different location in the level. They often introduce a puzzle element of which order you should activate them.

* **Focus:** Identify the entry and exit points of each teleporter. Experiment with different teleportation sequences to find the correct path.
* **Tip:** Some teleporters might be one-way only. Pay attention to the direction of the teleporter to determine where it will send you.

### 13. Key and Door Puzzles

These levels require you to collect a key and use it to unlock a door, adding an extra layer of complexity.

* **Focus:** Find the key first. Then, find the door. Plan your route to collect the key and reach the door safely.
* **Tip:** The key might be hidden or guarded by enemies. Be prepared for a challenge.

### 14. Time Limits

These levels impose a time limit, forcing you to complete the level quickly and efficiently.

* **Focus:** Plan your route in advance. Minimize unnecessary movements and focus on collecting the dots and reaching the exit as quickly as possible.
* **Tip:** Don’t be afraid to take risks. Sometimes, a risky jump or shortcut can save you valuable time.

### 15. Water Levels

Water dramatically changes the movement of the character.

* **Focus:** The character moves slower, and jumps are shorter in water. Adapt to the new momentum.
* **Tip:** Sometimes, platforms rise and fall in the water. Time your jumps carefully.

### 16. ‘The Floor is Lava’

Touching the ground results in instant death. You must keep moving and jumping.

* **Focus:** Don’t stop moving! Plan your route and timing carefully.
* **Tip:** Use wall jumps to your advantage to stay in the air as long as possible.

### 17. Minimap/No Map Levels

Some levels will give you an unusual or reduced view of the play area.

* **Focus:** If you have a minimap, use it wisely. If you have no map, rely on your memory and intuition.
* **Tip:** Take small steps and observe the environment carefully.

### 18. Levels that Lie

Levels where what you see, isn’t what you get. Invisible walls, fake floors, hidden traps are all possible.

* **Focus:** Trust nothing. Experiment and be prepared for surprises.
* **Tip:** Die a lot. Trial and error is your friend.

### 19. Levels Where Dots Hurt You

Collecting the yellow dots damages you, meaning you must avoid them.

* **Focus:** Pathfinding becomes even more important. Dodge those dots.
* **Tip:** Some dots move. Watch them carefully before proceeding.

### 20. Combined Challenges

The later levels often combine multiple mechanics from previous levels, creating incredibly complex and challenging puzzles. For example, you might encounter moving platforms in a dark level with inverted controls.

* **Focus:** Prioritize the most challenging mechanic. Break down the level into smaller sections and focus on mastering each one individually.
* **Tip:** Don’t give up! The combined challenges are designed to test your skills and push you to your limits. Persistence is key.

## Advanced Strategies and Techniques

Once you’ve mastered the basic mechanics and have a good understanding of the game’s level design, you can start exploring advanced strategies and techniques.

* **Wall Jumping:** Some levels allow you to jump off walls. This can be used to reach higher areas or avoid enemies.
* **Corner Kicking:** By jumping into a corner at the right angle, you can sometimes gain extra height. This is a tricky technique but can be useful in certain situations.
* **Enemy Manipulation:** Some enemies can be tricked or manipulated. Experiment with different strategies to find the most effective way to avoid them or use them to your advantage.
* **Speedrunning Techniques:** If you’re interested in speedrunning the game, research advanced movement techniques and optimize your route to complete the levels as quickly as possible.

## Overcoming Frustration

‘This Is The Only Level’ can be frustrating at times, especially when you’re stuck on a particularly difficult level. Here are some tips to help you overcome frustration:

* **Take a Break:** If you’re feeling frustrated, take a break from the game and come back to it later. A fresh perspective can often help you see the solution.
* **Watch Gameplay Videos:** Watching gameplay videos of other players can provide you with new ideas and strategies.
* **Ask for Help:** If you’re really stuck, ask for help from other players online. There are many online communities dedicated to ‘This Is The Only Level’ where you can find tips, advice, and support.
* **Remember It’s Just a Game:** Don’t take the game too seriously. It’s meant to be fun and challenging, not a source of stress.

## Conclusion

‘This Is The Only Level’ is a brilliant and addictive puzzle platformer that offers a unique and challenging gameplay experience. By understanding the core mechanics, mastering the advanced techniques, and persevering through the difficult levels, you can conquer the game and experience the satisfaction of solving its clever and often surprising puzzles. Remember to stay patient, experiment with different approaches, and most importantly, have fun!

Good luck, and happy gaming!