Interacting with Ava’s environment is an important part of the Ava video game series. Here is a list of some common things Ava will encounter on her adventures, and what they mean.
Quiet Space
- Quiet spaces are important locations in Ava, where the player can recharge their fortitude. Learn more about fortitude in the ‘How do I control the Character?’ section. If a player presses the interact button while standing next to a quiet place, Ava automatically hops inside its bubble and begins to journal with Mup. Over time, her fortitude will be restored. When the player wants to exit the bubble, they just have to press the interact button again.
Ava after entering a quiet space
Coin
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Ava collects these by running into them with her body and her hook.
Spikes
- Like in many classic video games, Ava will lose fortitude if she touches spikes.
Doors/Entrances
- Ava can get from one area to another by using doors/entrances. See examples below:
This entrance looks like a giant pipe. Ava can enter it by continuing to run directionally right across the screen.
This entrance is a door. On a computer, the player presses ‘F’ to interact with the door and enter it.
This entrance looks like the edge of the screen. To go into the next area, Ava runs directionally right across the screen.
Other characters
- Not every character interaction results in a dialogue sequence. For small interactions that are less important to the story, the character simply has to press the interaction button for the other character’s dialogue to pop up in a speech bubble above their heads. These are a great way to learn more about the world Ava is in, or get tips for the next thing the player should do.
Switches
- Switches trigger different reactions within a level (for example, opening a door). When Ava stands on top of a switch, she can activate it.
Switch before activation
Switch after activation
Coin crate
- Crates filled with coins that Ava can break with her hook
Dripping Pipes
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These pipes have toxic drips that will reduce Ava’s fortitude if she touches them
Hookable light
- When Ava shoots these lights with her hook, her hook will attach to them and she’ll be flung forwards
Air Vent
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When activated, these vents create columns of air that push Ava in a given direction
Adbots
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Adbots are wandering robots found in the ‘Trust’ narrative module. Periodically, they emit loud sounds, which will decrease Ava’s fortitude if she’s too close.
Unhookable metal
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Ava’s grappling hook isn’t able to latch onto terrain that is covered in metal, increasing the challenge of the platforming.
Laser
Pink laser barriers that cause Ava to lose fortitude when she touches them. Can move in an arc or be stationary.
Gem blocks
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These are square stone blocks that appear in the ‘Trying New Things’ module. Ava can shoot them with her hook to break them into pieces.
Build Bench
- The build bench is what Ava interacts with to go into the crafting gameplay mode in the ‘Needs’ narrative module.