---
key: mechanic/metroidbrainia--family-01
type: mechanic
id: metroidbrainia--family-01
lang: en
title: Discovering available actions
summary: >-
  Players discover an action that was available from the start and use it to
  progress.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/metroidbrainia--family-01/'
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/metroidbrainia--family-01.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/metroidbrainia--family-01.md
aliases: []
tags:
  - Metroidbrainia
  - Mechanics catalog
sourceIds:
  - source-d99c3809fdf4654d
sources:
  - id: source-d99c3809fdf4654d
    title: Baba Is You
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/736260/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: metroidbrainia
    id: family-01
    title: Metroidbrainia
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/metroidbrainia/#family-01'
    categoryIds:
      - section-1
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Discovering available actions
    description: >-
      Players discover an action that was available from the start and use it to
      progress.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/adventure-baba-is-you-00.webp
      width: 850
      height: 472
      game: Baba Is You
      sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/736260/'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/736260/ss_908c8a4fd0ffec9f29341eb50eb7f074c105342f.1920x1080.jpg?t=1760102539
      credit: Hempuli Oy
      rights: >-
        Game imagery © its respective rights holders. Publisher-distributed
        Steam screenshot; all rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.
      caption: Words on the board also define the game’s rules
      alt: Words on the board also define the game’s rules
      markers:
        - x: 35
          'y': 70
          label: A rule is formed from movable words
        - x: 13
          'y': 10
          label: Another rule defines the win condition
    tips:
      - Distinguish discovering an action from acquiring a new ability.
    examples:
      - title: Baba Is You
        url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/736260/'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on
  2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are
  preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire
  classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and
  editorial review.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/metroidbrainia
---
# Discovering available actions

id: metroidbrainia--family-01
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/metroidbrainia--family-01
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/metroidbrainia--family-01/

Players discover an action that was available from the start and use it to progress.

## At a glance

![Words on the board also define the game’s rules](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/adventure-baba-is-you-00.webp)

[Baba Is You](https://store.steampowered.com/app/736260/) · Game imagery © its respective rights holders. Publisher-distributed Steam screenshot; all rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.

1. A rule is formed from movable words
2. Another rule defines the win condition

- Distinguish discovering an action from acquiring a new ability.

- [Baba Is You](https://store.steampowered.com/app/736260/)

## How it works

The player learns what his character is already capable of doing.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-01-variants"></a>

- Hidden command. Detecting an action that is available from the start of the game but not explicitly explained <a id="variant-metroidbrainia-01-01"></a>
- Long retention. A familiar button triggers a different action if you hold it down long enough <a id="variant-metroidbrainia-01-02"></a>
- Release action. The result depends on the moment the button is released, not pressed. <a id="variant-metroidbrainia-01-03"></a>
- Sequence of commands. Several ordinary actions form a special command: a gesture, a melody, a combination of directions <a id="variant-metroidbrainia-01-04"></a>
- Simultaneous action. Pressing together or combining actions creates a result that each action does not produce separately. <a id="variant-metroidbrainia-01-05"></a>
- Contextual action. The command works differently when given a certain pose, orientation, surface, or position relative to an object <a id="variant-metroidbrainia-01-06"></a>
- Deliberate inaction. To advance, you must stop moving, attacking, looking, or interfering <a id="variant-metroidbrainia-01-07"></a>
- Reproduction of sample. The player repeats the movement, rhythm or behavior seen in a creature, mechanism or image <a id="variant-metroidbrainia-01-08"></a>

## Context and limits

In metroidbrainia, progression depends heavily on the player's knowledge: an open rule changes the available actions, routes, or decisions. 91 mechanics in 12 groups, progression techniques, training techniques and edge cases are stored here. For a project, check what knowledge is acquired, how it is derived, what it reveals, and where it is reused. Specific game solutions are not disclosed.

## Connected materials


## Sources and provenance

Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.

- [Baba Is You](https://store.steampowered.com/app/736260/) (id: source-d99c3809fdf4654d)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors