Getting Started

Getting Started

First Hour Walkthrough

When you first launch Human: Fall Flat, you’ll be greeted by the main menu. From here, select Play to jump straight into the first level, "Construct". There is no introductory cutscene or tutorial pop-up; the game expects you to learn by experimenting. Your character, a wobbly humanoid, appears in a small, grey room with a glowing white doorway. The goal of every level in Human: Fall Flat is to reach that exit door.

First 5 minutes:

• Use the left stick (or W key) to try and walk. Notice that movement feels deliberately clumsy—your character sways and drags their feet.


• Experiment with the grab buttons (see controls below). Try picking up nearby crates, pulling handles, or climbing onto ledges.


• The first puzzle usually involves stacking crates to climb to a higher platform or pulling a rope to open a gate.


• Progress is purely physics-based: nothing is scripted. If you push a crate against a wall, it will slide. If you grab a rope and pull, you’ll feel its weight.


• Don’t rush; take your time to understand how your character’s limbs interact with the world.


After 30 minutes:

• You’ve likely completed "Construct" and moved to the second level, "Pump". Here you’ll encounter more complex puzzles involving water, floating platforms, and rotating wheels.


• Learn to climb: jump while grabbing a ledge, then pull yourself up by releasing and re-grabbing with the other hand. This is the most essential skill.


• You may have died a few times (falling into water or off cliffs). Don’t worry—the game respawns you instantly at the last safe position with no penalty.


• By now, you should be comfortable with the basic controls: movement, grabbing, jumping, and using both hands independently.

Character Creation

Human: Fall Flat does not have character creation. You cannot customize your character’s appearance at the start. Instead, you play as a generic, featureless humanoid with a white body. As you progress through the game, you can unlock skins (different outfits and colors) by completing levels or achievements. Skins are purely cosmetic and do not affect gameplay. You can change your skin from the main menu under Customize after unlocking them.

Controls on All Platforms

Below are the default controls for each platform. Note that you can remap controls in the settings menu.

Tips for controllers: Because your character has independent hands, you can grab objects with either hand, climb by alternating grabs, and carry items by holding with both hands. The right stick controls the camera, which is crucial for precise movements.

UI Overview

The UI in Human: Fall Flat is minimal by design:

• No health bar – You cannot die from enemies (there are none) or starvation. The only way to “die” is by falling into deep water or off a map edge, which respawns you instantly.


• No inventory – You can only carry physical objects by grabbing them. There are no items to collect.


• No ammo or stamina – Your character can always grab, jump, and climb. There are no resource meters.


• Grabbed object indicator – When you grab something, a small hand icon appears near your character, indicating which hand is holding an object.


• Pause menu – Press the pause button to access the menu. From here you can Restart Level, Go to Level Select, Change Skin, Adjust Controls, or Quit.


• Level Select – Shows a list of all unlocked levels. You can replay any previously completed level.




Essential Early Objectives



In your first hour, focus on these goals:

1. Learn to walk and look around – Combine left stick (movement) with right stick (camera) to navigate your surroundings.
2. Master grabbing and climbing – Use one hand to grab a ledge, then jump and release/re-grab with the other hand to pull yourself up. Practice on low walls in the first level.
3. Understand object interaction – Pick up crates, push buttons, pull levers, and stack items to reach high areas. Remember that objects have realistic weight and friction.
4. Complete the first three levels – “Construct”, “Pump”, and “Vault”. Each introduces new puzzle types: stacking, water physics, and moving platforms.
5. Reach the exit door – In every level, the exit is a glowing portal. Touching it ends the level and unlocks the next one.



What to Do First and What to Avoid



Do:

• Experiment – The game rewards creativity. If one method doesn’t work, try a different approach. Push, pull, throw, or even swing objects.


• Use both hands – Many puzzles require you to hold a ladder while climbing, or carry a long plank. Assign grab to both hands for better control.


• Climb by “walking up” walls – If you hold onto a wall and press forward, your character will try to shimmy upward. Combine with jumping for steep climbs.


• Reset quickly – If you get stuck (e.g., your character is tangled or an object falls into a pit), use the pause menu to Restart Level. No penalty.


• Play with friends – Co-op multiplayer (online or split-screen) makes puzzles easier and more fun. Communicate and coordinate grabs.


Avoid:

• Don’t rush – Moving too fast makes your character lose balance. Walk slowly around ledges.


• Don’t grab while falling – If you grab a ledge while falling, you might still slip off because of momentum. Jump first, then grab.


• Don’t overthink puzzles – The solutions are often straightforward: find a movable object, use it to reach a higher spot, or pull a switch. If you’re stuck, look for something you haven’t interacted with.


• Don’t ignore the camera – Keeping the camera behind you or above helps avoid misjudging distances.


• Don’t skip the first level – Even if it seems easy, it teaches vital mechanics.




Early Resource Priorities



In Human: Fall Flat, there are no traditional resources like coins, health, or experience. The only “resource” is your understanding of the physics engine. Therefore, prioritize:


• Learning the grab mechanics – Being able to hold onto ledges and objects is the core of every puzzle.


• Building muscle memory for climbing – Alternate left and right grabs to scale walls. Practice until it feels natural.


• Understanding momentum – Your character has inertia. Swinging objects or your own body can help you reach distant platforms.


• Patience – Accept that you will fall many times. Each fall is a learning experience.




Common Beginner Mistakes



1. Letting go of both hands while climbing – Always keep one hand on the ledge. Release only one hand at a time to reach higher.
2. Trying to jump while holding a heavy object – You cannot jump high while holding a heavy crate. Put it down first, jump, then pull it up.
3. Grabbing an object and then pressing jump – The object will drop. To jump while holding something, jump first then quickly grab again.
4. Getting tangled in ropes – Ropes are physics objects; they can wrap around your character. Unwind by moving in the opposite direction or resetting the level.
5. Ignoring the environment – Many puzzles have hidden solutions like movable platforms, levers behind crates, or breakable walls. Look around carefully.
6. Playing alone without practice – The single-player is challenging; consider playing co-op to share responsibilities.



Day-One Checklist




• [ ] Launch the game and go through the main menu. If playing on PC, set your graphics options (low, medium, high) according to your hardware.


• [ ] Check controls in the Settings menu. Adjust if needed (e.g., invert camera, sensitivity).


• [ ] Select a skin (if you have any unlocked; otherwise, start with the default).


• [ ] Start a new game by choosing Play. The level “Construct” will load.


• [ ] Complete “Construct” – learn to move, grab, and climb. Exit the door.


• [ ] Complete “Pump” – interact with water and floating objects. Exit the door.


• [ ] Complete “Vault” – practice more complex climbing and moving platforms.


• [ ] Experiment with one extra level (optional – “Top Floor” or “Chain”) to solidify skills.


• [ ] Unlock at least one skin (you may earn one by finishing a level or achievement).


• [ ] Adjust control preferences – if you find grabbing difficult, try swapping the shoulder buttons in the options.


• [ ] Rest – Human: Fall Flat is best enjoyed in short, playful sessions. Don’t force yourself to complete all levels in one sitting.