Assist Mode

Lore & Background

The creation of Assist Mode was a deliberate choice to prioritize player intent over near-perfect execution. While the base game demands precision—mirroring the feeling of bouldering and utilizing mechanics like wall jumps and mid-air dashes—the developers recognized that high difficulty should not block access to the story. The mode provides options such as lowering the game speed, granting unlimited use of the dash ability, or making Madeline invincible. These tools directly address the game's core conflict: the struggle against self-doubt personified by Badeline. By allowing players to adjust their capabilities, Assist Mode reinforces the narrative message that persistence and personal growth matter more than flawless performance. It ensures that even those who cannot overcome every screen instantly can still witness Madeline reconcile with her anxiety and reach the summit.

In Their Own Story

In the quiet moments between screens, a player might pause and activate Assist Mode to smooth out a particularly rough patch. The world slows down, giving Madeline more time to react to the moving blocks, dream blocks, or bubbles that populate the levels. Perhaps the dash count is increased from one to two, allowing for a double-dash maneuver typically reserved for advanced challenges or specific items like the 'double-dash' gems found in the Farewell expansion. With invincibility toggled on, the fear of falling into spikes vanishes, letting the player focus entirely on the narrative beats and the emotional weight of Madeline's journey. This adjustment does not change the outcome; Madeline still meets Granny at the base, encounters Theo in the abandoned city, faces Badeline in the mirror nightmare, and eventually reconciles with her. The mountain remains the same, but the path up becomes navigable for every unique climber.

Reader's Guide

To utilize Assist Mode, players access it through the game's pause menu or main settings, where they can toggle specific accessibility options. The available adjustments include a setting to lower the overall game speed, effectively slowing down time to allow for more deliberate inputs. Players can also enable unlimited dash usage, bypassing the standard single-dash limit and the need to find green gems for refills. For those facing significant motor challenges, an invincibility option removes the threat of death from environmental hazards. These settings are designed to be granular; players can mix and match them to find their own balance between challenge and accessibility. Unlike the B-side or C-side levels which increase difficulty by reusing mechanics in harder configurations, Assist Mode does the opposite, creating a personalized experience that respects the player's needs while preserving the integrity of the eight chapters and the Farewell DLC.

Did You Know?

• Assist Mode was created to ensure the narrative of self-forgiveness and depression remained accessible even if a player could not execute difficult platforming moves.
• The developers chose not to use a pre-existing physics engine specifically to predetermine outcomes for certain situations, making precise control possible which Assist Mode then adapts.
• Green gems in the base game normally refill Madeline's dash ability without needing to land, but Assist Mode can grant unlimited dashes entirely.
• While B-side and C-side levels increase difficulty by reusing mechanics, Assist Mode decreases it through specific settings like speed reduction or invincibility.
• The Farewell DLC adds new mechanics like 'double-dash' gems, which naturally give two dashes, a function that can be replicated instantly via Assist Mode's unlimited dash setting.