Understanding the UI — Beyond: Two Souls Guide

Navigate the unique controls and interface of Beyond: Two Souls. Learn how to effectively use Jodie and Aiden's abilities with this expert guide.

Hey there! So you're diving into Beyond: Two Souls, huh? It's a wild ride, and honestly, the way you interact with the world is a huge part of what makes it so special. This isn't your typical button-mashing game; it's all about feeling the actions and making deliberate choices. Let's break down how you'll be controlling Jodie and her spectral pal, Aiden, so you can really get the most out of this interactive drama.

Jodie's Controls:

When you're controlling Jodie, movement is pretty standard with the left stick. But here's where it gets interesting: the right stick is your main interaction tool. You'll often see a dot on screen, and you'll need to flick the right stick in that direction to perform actions. Sometimes, you'll even have a choice between two actions, shown by different dots – like deciding whether to place an item on a table or toss it in a bin. Pay attention to these!

There will be moments where Jodie needs to do something delicate, like squeezing through a tight spot. The game might prompt you to hold down L1, then press R1 while keeping L1 held. If you mess this up, Jodie might have to try again, or she might stumble a bit – it adds to the tension, but try to nail it!

Dialogue choices are also handled with the right stick. You won't see exact lines of dialogue, but rather Jodie's emotional reaction or the topic she's about to bring up. If you're too slow, the game will pick for you, so be ready to react! Some of these choices have big consequences down the line, so I'll be sure to point those out.

The Triangle button is your special key. Most of the time, it lets you switch between controlling Jodie and Aiden. In conversations, it's often used to end the dialogue or close out of options, like when Jodie decides to stop fiddling with a radio.

Other times, action buttons like X and O will simulate Jodie's arms for actions like climbing or playing an instrument. You'll often need to press them repeatedly. And get ready for the motion controls! You might need to tilt or move the PS3 controller to help Jodie climb ledges or pour drinks. It can be a bit finicky, so try to match the on-screen timing and stay calm.

When Jodie gets into a fight, things slow down, giving you a sort of bullet time. On easier difficulties, an arrow will guide your right stick to show the direction of your attacks. On harder settings, you'll need to watch the screen and react quickly. Messing up here might mean Jodie gets hurt or captured, but don't worry, she can't actually die in these sequences.

Aiden's Powers:

Switching to Aiden is usually done with the Triangle button. You'll notice Aiden is tethered to Jodie by an ethereal cord, so he can't stray too far. Aiden's main playground is areas highlighted with an orange glow. Press L1 to move him within these zones.

As a poltergeist, Aiden can mess with objects. If an object has a blue dot, you can interact with it. Lock on with L1, then move both analog sticks down and towards the center to activate his power. You'll feel a surge of energy – it's pretty cool!

Aiden can also nudge people (marked with a blue dot on their body) by locking on with L1 and moving the sticks apart horizontally, then pushing them together. For more forceful actions, like possessing someone (indicated by an orange aura), you'll use a similar stick-pulling motion. The person's eyes will turn white, and they're under your control.

Want to go darker? If a person has a red aura, Aiden can choke them by pulling and pushing the sticks sideways. Keep it up until their soul leaves their body. On the flip side, Aiden can heal injuries (marked with a green spot) by carefully moving the analog stick dots to cover the spot. It's like a supernatural form of first aid!

To create an energy shield that protects Jodie, hold both L1 and R1, pull the sticks apart, and hold. This is great for blocking attacks.

Channeling spirits or memories involves connecting a line from an object or a dead body to Jodie's head. You'll use both sticks to guide this connection. It's a bit tricky at first, but it allows Jodie to experience past events.

Finally, Aiden can destroy evil spirits, which often look like menacing sentinels. Lock on with L1, push the analog sticks down, and then push towards the glowing dot. If a spirit tries to grab Jodie, you'll need to pull the sticks horizontally and then center them quickly. If you miss this, pause the game, practice the motion, and try again.

Duo Mode and Smartphone Control:

If you've got a second controller, you can play in Duo Mode, with one player as Jodie and the other as Aiden. Quantic Dream also offers a smartphone app called 'Beyond Touch'. Download it, connect your phone and PS3 to the same Wi-Fi, and you can control Aiden using your phone. It feels super high-tech, like you're a magician! Just a heads-up, using your phone this way will drain its battery faster, and you might need to disconnect your PS3's Ethernet cable to use Wi-Fi.

When using the smartphone app, you'll tap, drag, and pull on the screen according to the prompts. It's a really immersive way to play, making you feel even more connected to the supernatural elements of the game. Just remember, in a game like this, missing even a small detail can have big ripple effects, so stay sharp!