Brothers puzzle guide: swimming, wheels, ropes and carrying
Use the brothers’ different strengths in recurring puzzle situations.
Edition covered
The original 2013 game, using the original Steam app’s pictures and one-player control scheme. The 2024 remake and its local co-op are separate; later ports can add their own controls or modes. The ending guide contains major spoilers.
Who should act first?
Many obstacles become simple once the correct brother is placed at each side. Plan both roles before beginning an interaction that must be held.
| Obstacle | Older brother | Younger brother |
|---|---|---|
| Deep-water crossing | Swims across | Clings to the older brother |
| Narrow bars | Waits by the main route | Passes through to reach a control |
| Heavy shared object | Grips one end | Grips the other end |
| Wheel-operated sheep bridge | Crosses and retrieves a sheep | Keeps the wheel moving |
Coordinate multi-step movement
Move one brother only when the other has a secure role. This is especially important when a rope turns one person into the other’s anchor.
| Situation | First step | Second step |
|---|---|---|
| Two-person carrying | Position one brother at each end | Hold both action inputs and move together |
| Rope climbing | Keep one brother attached | Swing or move the other to the next grip |
| Separated controls | Place each brother at a mechanism | Operate them in the required rhythm |
| Companion-assisted crossing | Let the ally reach the intended position | Bring both brothers across before moving on |
Watch gestures instead of waiting for written instructions
The fictional spoken language puts much of the guidance into movement, pointing and environmental composition. Follow what an ally demonstrates with their body.
Reset the arrangement when the timing breaks
Return to secure ground and place both brothers deliberately. Repeatedly pressing both triggers while standing in the wrong positions rarely fixes the puzzle.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons publisher listing | store.steampowered.com |
| 505 Games original Brothers | 505games.com |
| Original achievement reference | steamcommunity.com |
| Original walkthrough and puzzles | gamefaqs.gamespot.com |
| Original full-playthrough reference | www.youtube.com |
| Original epilogue control discussion | steamcommunity.com |