Welcome to the Underground: Getting Started in Bonelab
Bonelab is one of the most ambitious and physically immersive virtual reality titles available. Developed by Stress Level Zero as the spiritual and mechanical successor to Boneworks, the game drops players into a deep, physics-simulated environment where every object, weapon, and physical body interaction carries realistic mass and momentum. Because it relies heavily on simulated physics rather than arcade-style VR abstractions, new players often find the learning curve intimidating.
Whether you are struggling with movement, fighting off virtual enemies, or trying to figure out how to progress past the main hub area, this beginner guide provides all the foundational tips and mechanics you need to succeed.
1. Understanding the Physics-Driven Body
Unlike standard VR shooters where your avatar is a floating camera with virtual hands, Bonelab models a complete, physical body collision mesh. Understanding how your physical avatar interacts with the game world is essential to mastering locomotion and combat.
- Weight and Mass: Heavy objects require two hands to handle cleanly. Attempting to swing a massive sledgehammer or heavy crate with one hand will result in slow, weak physical response because your avatar's simulated muscles cannot support the weight.
- Physical Collision: Your arms, shoulders, and chest collide with solid geometry. Pay close attention when leaning around corners or reaching into small openings, as your virtual body can become snagged on geometry.
- Climbing and Mantling: To climb ledges effectively, grab the surface with both hands, pull down physically while pushing your movement stick forward, and pull up your virtual legs by crouching (either physically or via the crouching button on your controller) to clear the ledge.
2. Managing Inventory and Holsters
Quickly retrieving weapons and items in Bonelab is key during intense combat encounters. Your avatar is equipped with several physical body holsters designed for quick access.
- Shoulder Holsters: Reaching behind your shoulders allows you to store and retrieve large weapons like shotguns, assault rifles, and blunt heavy tools.
- Hip and Waist Holsters: Side hip holsters hold smaller handguns, submachine guns, and light melee weapons.
- Body Pouch: Located near your abdomen is a utility pouch ideal for storing keycards, small gadgets, and quest items.
- Ammunition System: Reaching toward your belt pouch with an empty hand automatically retrieves the appropriate ammunition magazine for whichever firearm is currently held in your active hand.
3. Avatars and Stats Mechanics
A major evolution from Boneworks is the Avatar Switcher feature introduced in Bonelab. As you advance through the main story, you unlock the ability to morph into different characters on the fly using a wrist-mounted pull cord.
- Heavy Avatars: Feature high physical strength, heavy weight, and a large health pool. Use them for lifting massive objects, pushing barricades, and heavy melee combat.
- Fast Avatars: Sacrifice physical power for high sprint speeds and agile jumping capability, ideal for parkour sections and dodging hazards.
- Small Avatars: Feature tiny hitboxes capable of navigating tight ventilation shafts, under low cover, and through narrow puzzle passages.
- Tall Avatars: Offer extreme vertical reach and powerful melee strikes, perfect for reaching elevated platforms without climbing.
4. Combat Tactics and Weapon Handling
Simulated recoil and physical impact forces govern weapon handling in Bonelab.
- Two-Handed Stabilization: Always secure firearms with both hands whenever possible. Firing rifles or shotguns with a single hand leads to severe muzzle drift and inaccurate recoil patterns.
- Physics-Based Melee Strikes: Rapid, shallow controller waggles deal negligible damage. Deliver full, deliberate physical swings with natural windups to inflict maximum blunt force or piercing damage on enemies.
- Grabbing Enemies: You can physically grab Nullbodies and enemy units by their heads, limbs, or shoulders. Throws, takedowns, and slamming enemies into walls or each other are highly effective combat methods.
5. How to Unlock the Campaign in The Lab Hub
Many new players get stuck in 'The Lab' hub area after completing the tutorial level. To trigger the rest of the campaign story mode, follow these steps:
- Enter and interact with each of the mini-game doors in the hub at least once (Sandbox, Tactical Trial, Parkour, Arena, Experimental, and Modding).
- Head up to the second floor viewing balcony to locate the crane control station.
- Use the crane controls to pick up the glowing orb light nodes located above the various activity doors.
- Lower the glowing orbs directly into the corresponding battery receptors built into the central hub floor platform.
- Once all receptors are powered, proceed through the opened quarantine door to resume story progression.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to play Boneworks before playing Bonelab?
No, you do not need to play Boneworks first. While Bonelab features lore connections and narrative references to the previous game, its gameplay mechanics, tutorial systems, and main campaign stand entirely on their own for new players.
How do I reduce motion sickness in Bonelab?
Because Bonelab uses full-body physics, realistic momentum, and smooth locomotion, it can cause VR motion sickness. To make the experience more comfortable, activate snap turning in the options menu, play in short sessions, sit on a swivel chair, and keep a room fan blowing cool air directly toward you while playing.
Can I install custom mods in Bonelab?
Yes, Bonelab was engineered with native modding integration. You can download and install custom avatars, levels, weapons, and tools directly through the in-game modding menu or by subscribing to supported community mod repositories online.
Final Thoughts
Mastering Bonelab requires a mindset shift from arcade VR games to a fully simulated physical sandbox. Take your time to practice locomotion, experiment with different physical avatars, and embrace the chaotic nature of its physics engine. Once you understand how weight, momentum, and body collision work together, Bonelab becomes one of the most creative and empowering experiences available in modern virtual reality.
