Unravel is a spellbinding new platformer from Electronic Arts and Coldwood where you take control of an adorable little character named Yarny as he attempts to calm a poor old woman. We posted tips for playing the game, but learning how to control Yarny and find more string only cover the basics. Figuring out the many puzzles is a whole other matter, so with that in mind, this feature will tell you how to solve some of the puzzles in Unravel.
Thistle and Weeds
Pots
In the opening stage, you’ll see a flowerbed that’s a bit high up and outside of Yarny’s grasp. Using the two turned-over pots nearby, you’ll be able to reach it with ease. First, as you come off the other ledge, drag one of the pots so you can jump on top and over it. After doing this, drag it closer to the second pot, then use the left trigger to climb up to the top of the left pot (since you already got over it). Now jump over to the second pot, and provided you moved it to the right spot, you’ll reach the top of the flowerbed with no problem.
Climbing the Tree
Also in the first stage, you’ll need to reach a high branch, but can’t quite lasso your way to it. However, you can form a bridge by tying together two ends on the knots to a branch. Once you tie these together (by pressing X or square, depending on the platform), you’ll see the string begin to glow. Simply hop onto it and hold down the analog stick, then let go. You’ll spring up to the higher branch and continue your adventure.
The Drain Pipe
You’ll come across what looks like a ditch in the first level, where you have to use your lasso to flip a switch and fill it with water. If you fall and stay too long in the water you’ll drown, so it helps to have a few more flotation devices to stand on. There will already be one apple in the pit, but if you wander off to the left, you’ll find a couple more that you can push into the pit. Do this and you’ll form a bridge that will be easier to stand on (rather than just one apple) as the water level increases. It’ll eventually get to the point where you can reach the ledge on the other side.
The Sunflowers
You’ll eventually reach a house. Before you go anywhere, get over the lawn chair, then immediately pull down the flower to your left and re-spool your thread. After that, don’t worry about the flower box above. Instead, hop on the dandelions that appear, since they’re large enough to make your way across. Reach the top-most flower and jump over.
The Block
Near the end of the first stage, you’ll stumble across a little toy block and then see a ledge. Go ahead and make your way up and tie one end of the string there, then jump back down and tie it to the other end. You now have a bridge that you can use to push the block onto. You’ll need this in order to get over a ledge coming up, so go ahead and grab the block and get it over there. You’ll move on in no time. You’ll repeat this process in the garage, where you’ll have to lasso to a higher ledge, tie an end, go back down, tie another end and then drag a dusty block up so you can climb aboard and reach a higher platform.
You’ll reach the end of level one no problem at this point, so let’s provide a few tips for level two, the Sea.
The Sea
Building a Bridge
There is a bench with a sign above it and a telescope hanging up above. Knock down the can and use it to reach one of the higher ledges, then tie a knot to the top of the telescope after it tips over. Go back down and tie a string on the other end, indicated with a marker. You’ll then form a bridge you can bounce off of to lasso up to a higher area, which will let you fill up on some string. You’ll tie a few more bridges as you make your way up the trees.
Once you go through the kite sequence, push over the two acorns in front of you on the ground into the pit. This will add enough volume for you to climb out with ease and move on, with the acorns already in there.
From there you’ll come to a bridge, and you’ll need to make your way down to the lower level. Use your lasso to swing from the rope over to the left to respool your thread, but watch out for the waves. If waves hit him too hard, Yarny will drown.
Riding the Waves and Watching for Crabs
After getting the thread, time your swings across the lower level of the bridge to avoid the waves and you’ll get to the other side. You’ll come across a small body of water that you can’t get across on your own. However, there’s a crab on the other side. Climb up and get the oyster on the upper ledge and push it into the water, and the crab will go in after it. Hop on his back and travel to the other side. Sometimes oysters can be vital as you go on through the stage, as you can lure crabs out and get access to new areas. (Don’t stick around too long, though – the crab will attack you will attack you.)
You’ll be at a lower point of the water now, with waves constantly coming at you. Knock down the floater located at the top of one of the platforms, then reach high ground as the wave comes back. Drop back down and push the floater into a nearby latch so it’s beneath it. The wave will push it upward and you can continue on. Make sure you’re back at higher ground (or standing on the floater) as the wave comes by or you’re drenched. Keep pushing the floater forward, get to an upper level, tie up a bridge with the two knots (using the floater for higher ground if necessary) and continue.
Prepare for More Crabbiness
Another crab awaits. Jump over it and get to a nearby latch that will activate a cage. Use the latch to lift the cage, and he’ll be drawn into the oyster inside. Quickly climb up and manually pull the handle on the latch so the cage drops down. The crab is angry but harmless, as he pushes the cage into some water on the right side. You can now climb over the cage and move on.
This next section will have four crabs waiting at the bottom, along with a cage. Don’t try to catch them. Swing across on the bottom of the cage, then time your next swing so you get over the crabs and move to the other side. That’s about it for this one. You’ll get to a door latch that you can pull up by winding your string around the nearby post and holding down the left trigger. You should be able to eke your way inside.
To the Open Sea!
Finally, you’ll see the boathouse. Make your way up using the bridge and bounce to the top. You’ll eventually get inside the boat. Use your string to start up the motor, which will then be revving. Grab the motor (using the B or circle button, depending on your version) and pull it back so it cuts the rope holding the boat up. It’ll drop into the water and motor to the other side of the lake, letting Yarny reach the end of the stage.
