Game Controls (Detailed) — Beyond: Two Souls Guide

Master Beyond: Two Souls with our detailed game controls guide. Learn to effectively control Jodie Holmes and utilize Aiden's powers for every action sequence.

Mastering the unique control scheme of Beyond: Two Souls is crucial for fully immersing yourself in Jodie Holmes' extraordinary journey and effectively using Aiden's otherworldly abilities. This detailed guide breaks down every aspect of interaction, from basic movement to complex environmental puzzles and combat sequences.

Playing as Jodie Holmes

When controlling Jodie, your primary interactions revolve around movement, environmental observation, and Quick Time Events (QTEs).

• Movement: Use the Left Analog Stick to move Jodie. Her movement speed is contextual; she'll walk, jog, or run depending on the situation and your stick's tilt. Pay attention to the camera angles, as they often guide your path or highlight points of interest.
• Interacting with the Environment: Look for white dots or prompts that appear on objects or people. These indicate an interactive element.
  • To interact, push the Right Analog Stick in the direction indicated by the prompt. For example, to open a door, you might push the stick up. To pick up an item like the "Old Rag Doll" in the early chapters, you'll see a prompt and need to flick the stick accordingly.
  • Some interactions, particularly during conversations or emotional moments, require a precise, sustained push or a quick flick. If you fail, the game often allows a retry or subtly shifts the narrative.
• Combat and Action Sequences: During combat or intense action, the game often slows down, and you'll see a white directional prompt indicating where Jodie should dodge, punch, or block.
  • Dodge/Block: When an enemy attacks, push the Right Analog Stick in the direction Jodie's body is moving to avoid the blow. For instance, if an enemy swings from the left, Jodie might lean right, and you'd push the stick right.
  • Attack: Similarly, when Jodie is in a position to strike, push the Right Analog Stick in the direction of her intended action (e.g., up for an overhead punch, left for a left hook).
  • Contextual Prompts: Keep an eye out for larger, more prominent prompts during critical moments, such as when Jodie needs to climb a wall or jump a gap. These usually require a single, decisive push of the Right Analog Stick.
• Switching to Aiden: At almost any point when playing as Jodie, you can switch control to Aiden by pressing the Triangle button. This is essential for solving puzzles and progressing.

Playing as Aiden

Aiden's controls are distinct, allowing you to manipulate the environment and interact with people in unique ways. Remember, Aiden cannot move through solid objects like thick walls, but can pass through doors and windows.

• Movement: Use the Left Analog Stick to move Aiden freely through the environment. Aiden can float through most obstacles, giving you a vantage point to scout ahead or access otherwise unreachable areas.
• Interacting with the Environment (Minor): As Aiden, you'll see white dots or prompts on certain objects.
  • Push/Pull: Use the Right Analog Stick in the indicated direction to subtly influence objects. This might involve knocking over a "Stack of Books" to distract a guard or opening a "Window Latch" for Jodie to enter.
  • Possession/Influence: For more significant interactions, hold down L1 to focus Aiden's energy. Then, use the Right Analog Stick to manipulate the object or person. This is crucial for puzzles like activating the "Generator" in the research facility or possessing a guard to open a "Locked Door".
• Interacting with People: Aiden has several ways to affect NPCs.
  • Healing: When Jodie is injured or unconscious, switch to Aiden and approach her. Hold L1 and push the Right Analog Stick in the indicated direction to heal her. This is a vital mechanic for survival.
  • Choking/Attacking: When targeting an enemy, hold L1 and push the Right Analog Stick to choke them or throw them around. This is a powerful combat tool, especially against multiple adversaries.
  • Possession: For certain individuals, you can possess them. Hold L1 and push the Right Analog Stick towards the target. Once possessed, you can control their movement with the Left Analog Stick and interact with their surroundings using the Right Analog Stick, much like Jodie. This is often required to bypass security or activate specific mechanisms.
  • Memory Echoes: When near certain objects or people, Aiden can sometimes trigger memory echoes, revealing past events. Look for a shimmering effect and hold L1 to activate these visions.
• Returning to Jodie: Press the Triangle button to switch back to Jodie at any time.

Duo Mode and Smartphone Controller

Beyond: Two Souls offers a unique Duo Mode, allowing two players to control Jodie and Aiden independently, or a single player to use a smartphone as a controller.

• Duo Mode (Two Controllers):
  • One player controls Jodie using a standard PlayStation controller.
  • The second player controls Aiden using a separate standard PlayStation controller.
  • The game will prompt you to switch characters as needed, but both players maintain control of their respective entities. This requires excellent communication and coordination.
• Smartphone Controller (Beyond Touch App):
  • Download the "Beyond Touch" app on your iOS or Android device.
  • Connect your smartphone to the same Wi-Fi network as your PlayStation console.
  • Follow the in-app instructions to pair your device.
  • The app simplifies controls, often replacing analog stick movements with intuitive swipes and taps on the touchscreen. This can be particularly useful for players less familiar with traditional game controllers.
  • Whether controlling Jodie or Aiden, the app will display contextual prompts directly on your phone screen, guiding your actions.

Familiarize yourself with these controls early on. The game's narrative branches significantly based on your actions and successful execution of prompts, so precise control is key to shaping Jodie's destiny.