Rain World is not just a game—it’s an experience. From the moment you wake up as a fragile, hungry creature in a post-apocalyptic ecosystem, you’re thrust into a world that doesn’t care about your survival. You’re Slugcat, and your only goal? Stay alive.
This article serves as a complete guide to Rain World, written in an easy-to-understand, conversational tone. Whether you’re a newcomer or someone who’s gotten lost one too many times, this guide will help you navigate, survive, and maybe even thrive in the hauntingly beautiful world of Rain World.
What is Rain World?
At its core, Rain World is a 2D survival platformer developed by Videocult and published by Adult Swim Games. It was first released in 2017 but gained renewed popularity with the Downpour DLC in 2023. The game is known for its brutal difficulty, dynamic AI, and emergent storytelling.
In Rain World, you play as a Slugcat, a hybrid creature with the agility of a cat and the flexibility of a slug. Separated from your family by a devastating flood, you must explore a decaying industrial world filled with predators, secrets, and mysterious ruins.
Why is it Called Rain World?
Because the rain is your biggest enemy.
Unlike most games where environmental elements are just set dressing, the rain in Rain World will kill you. When the cycle begins, you have a limited time to find shelter before a biblical downpour drowns everything.
You’re not just surviving enemies—you’re surviving the world itself.
Anecdote: The first time I played, I ignored the ominous rumble in the background. The screen darkened, but I was focused on climbing a ledge. Suddenly, a deafening sound shook the screen, and then—SPLASH. I was gone. Lesson learned: never ignore the rain.
Basic Mechanics – Understanding the World Around You
Survival Cycles
The world operates on cycles, typically lasting around 5 minutes. Each cycle ends in a deadly rainstorm. You must find shelter before it starts.
- You’ll hear thunder and see your cycle timer deplete in the corner.
- Once the rain starts, it’s game over unless you’re in shelter.
Food and Hibernation
You need to eat to hibernate, which saves your progress.
- Eat at least 4 food pips to hibernate.
- More food pips = extra karma, which helps in unlocking gates.
You can eat:
- Bats
- Blue fruits
- Centipedes
- And other creatures (some more dangerous than others)
Tip: Press grab + eat near edible items or creatures. The game never tells you this, but experimentation is key.
The Ecosystem – It’s Not Just You Out There
What makes Rain World unique is its living ecosystem. Every creature has its own AI, behavior, and goal. You’re not the center of attention—just part of the food chain.
Predators
Lizards
These are your most common threat.
- Come in different colors and abilities.
- Blue Lizards can climb.
- Pink Lizards are faster.
- White Lizards can camouflage. (Yes, they’re terrifying.)
Vultures
These flying beasts swoop in from above, usually signaled by a warning sound. They can grab you mid-jump.
Scavengers
Semi-intelligent creatures that use spears and bombs. Can be friends or enemies depending on your behavior.
Anecdote: I once gave a scavenger a pearl (a tradable item), and instead of attacking, it bowed. Next time, it helped me fight off a red lizard. A rare moment of alliance in a cruel world.
Regions – Exploring the Broken World
Industrial Complex
- Your starting area.
- Full of pipes, ledges, and moderate threats.
- Ideal place to learn the basics of movement and shelter location.
Outskirts
- Less hostile.
- Good for gathering food and learning enemy patterns.
- Multiple exits to other regions.
Shaded Citadel
- Dark and creepy.
- Limited visibility, introducing a new challenge.
- Dangerous spiders and hidden pitfalls.
Chimney Canopy
- Vertical area with high movement difficulty.
- Requires expert platforming skills.
Tip: As you progress, always take mental notes of shelter locations, safe paths, and shortcuts.
Objectives – What Are You Supposed to Do?
Rain World doesn’t have clear objectives at first. But over time, you’ll uncover that there’s more going on beneath the surface.
The Lore
There’s a deep, hidden story in Rain World—one that involves ancient civilizations, AI beings called iterators, and philosophical ideas about life and death.
You’re free to explore and piece it together at your own pace.
Karma Gates
These gates block passage between regions.
- You need to have a certain karma level to pass.
- Dying resets your karma by one point.
Karma is earned by surviving a cycle, not just eating.
Step-by-step to open Karma Gates:
- Eat 4+ food pips.
- Hibernate in a shelter.
- Repeat to gain karma.
- Reach the gate with the required karma.
- Don’t die on the way!
Learning to Play – Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Step 1: Learn to Move
Movement is everything in Rain World.
- Hold grab + jump for a pole vault jump.
- Tap down + grab to roll through small tunnels.
- Practice wall climbing by jumping repeatedly up a wall.
Step 2: Master Food Gathering
- Watch for bats—they fly in loops.
- Blue fruits hang from vines—easy and safe.
- Avoid red centipedes until you’re confident.
Step 3: Find Shelter Quickly
When you see the cycle timer depleting, stop exploring and run to shelter.
- Keep mental maps of shelter locations.
- Use echoes and graffiti as hints.
Step 4: Use Spears and Rocks
- Rocks can stun enemies.
- Spears can kill or pin enemies, and even be used as platforms.
Tip: Always carry something in each hand.
Downpour DLC – What’s New?
The Downpour DLC adds:
- 5 new Slugcat campaigns, each with unique abilities.
- New regions, enemies, and mechanics.
- Co-op and competitive multiplayer.
Each new Slugcat offers a different playstyle.
Examples:
- The Artificer: explosive abilities and brute strength.
- The Gourmand: can craft items by combining objects.
- The Saint: uses a tongue to swing like a grappling hook.
These new campaigns keep Rain World fresh and endlessly replayable.
Hidden Depth – The Story You Piece Together
Unlike other games, Rain World doesn’t tell you the story—you discover it. Through ancient ruins, mysterious artifacts, and cryptic AI beings, you’ll start to uncover a narrative about survival, purpose, and the nature of consciousness.
Iterators
Massive machines built to solve an impossible problem. Some are broken, some insane, and others… enlightening.
They add a philosophical twist to the game that many players don’t expect.
Anecdote: After hours of exploration, I found an iterator named Five Pebbles. It didn’t attack—it spoke. And what it said changed my entire understanding of the game. Suddenly, I realized: Rain World isn’t just about survival—it’s about meaning.
Pro Tips for Surviving Rain World
- Always know where the shelter is.
- Don’t hoard food—just eat what you need to hibernate.
- Use map mod tools if you’re overwhelmed.
- Observe enemy patterns—they’re consistent.
- Sometimes, hiding is better than fighting.
Final Thoughts – Embrace the Chaos
Rain World is unlike any other game. It’s not easy. It’s not fair. But that’s the point.
You’re not a hero—you’re just a Slugcat, trying to survive in a world that’s moved on. The satisfaction comes not from winning, but from learning, adapting, and enduring.
So go ahead—get eaten by a lizard, drown in the rain, fall into a pit. Then get up, and try again. Because every failure is just one step closer to survival.
