Many of the best games on Itch.io games do not explain themselves. A clicker may hide its story behind a purchase you almost skipped, a horror game may reward the player who stays quiet, and a gentle adventure may keep its best moments off the main path. That is exactly why this section exists: clear, practical guides that help you get unstuck without taking the fun out of discovery.
What Every Guide Covers
We follow the same pattern in each walkthrough so you always know where to look. First comes a short overview of what the game is and what it expects from you. Next is the practical part: controls, the main loop and the habits that make a run smoother. After that we look at secrets, endings or mistakes that players commonly make on a first attempt. Finally, we suggest a few similar games, so a good evening does not have to end when the credits roll.
- Controls and basics. How the game responds, what the interface means and which small details deserve attention.
- Walkthrough or strategy. A route, an order of upgrades or a plan for the toughest moments.
- Secrets and endings. Hidden content, branching choices and the things that are easy to miss.
- What to play next. Short recommendations that match the mood of the game you just finished.
A good guide does not play the game for you. It makes sure you are not stuck on the part that was never meant to be a mystery.
Guides for Every Kind of Player
The catalog on our site is wide, so the guides are too. Some games are best approached with a plan, while others work better when you read just enough to avoid frustration. To make the section easier to use, here is how the current guides break down by style.
Horror and Stealth
If your hands are sweating, start here. Our guide to escaping Granny explains how the five-day structure works, why sound is the main threat and how to plan an exit. The walkthrough for Baldi’s Basics Plus covers stamina, items and the habits of every hallway troublemaker, and the doppelgänger guide for That’s Not My Neighbor teaches a checklist for the toughest doorman job in indie horror.
Money, Choices and Consequences
The BLOODMONEY! beginner’s guide looks at the clicker loop, upgrade priorities and the choices that steer you toward different endings. The Papers, Please walkthrough covers the booth, the budget and the major story routes that lead to all twenty endings. Both games use simple actions to ask uncomfortable questions, and both are easier to enjoy once you understand how the numbers work.
Cozy Exploration
Not every game needs to be tense. The guide to A Short Hike explains how Golden Feathers and Silver Feathers work, how to climb Hawk Peak efficiently and where the less obvious secrets are hidden. It is for players who want to see everything without losing the relaxed mood of the island.
💡 How to Use These Guides
You do not need to read a guide from top to bottom. Jump to the section you need, whether that is controls, a tricky stretch of the game or the list of endings, and then get back to playing.
Our Approach to Spoilers
Different players want different things. Some want to see every ending on the first evening, while others prefer to find surprises on their own. Our guides try to respect both. Headings make it clear what each part is about, and we avoid dropping major twists in introductions. When a section does cover endings or hidden content, the heading says so. If you want to stay completely spoiler-free, read only the controls and tips, then return for the deeper sections after you have finished.
What You Will Not Find Here
You will not find padded introductions that hide the answer, vague advice that could apply to any game, or long lists of claims that cannot be checked. We prefer short, concrete suggestions that you can test in a single session. Because games on Itch.io change often, and creators update their projects, some details may differ between versions. When that matters, we say so and tell you what to look for in the game itself.
Tips for Getting More from a Guide
- Play first, read second. Try the game for ten or fifteen minutes so the terms in the guide make sense.
- Read the controls section. A single forgotten key can explain a lot of frustration.
- Use the strategy as a starting point. Adjust it to your own playstyle rather than copying it step by step.
- Keep notes. For branching games, write down your choices so you can replay a branch without starting over.
- Check the game page. Developers often add notes about updates, known issues and recommended settings.
How Often We Add New Guides
The library grows as new games become popular on the site. When a title attracts a lot of players or generates many questions, we add a walkthrough. If a game you love does not have a guide yet, it is not forgotten; it simply has not reached the top of the queue. Browse our indie games and HTML5 games pages to see what is currently available, and check back for new additions.
Why Browser Guides Matter
Browser games are easy to start and easy to abandon. A confusing menu, a hidden mechanic or a harsh difficulty spike can end a session before it begins. A short guide removes that barrier. It tells you what the game wants, saves you from avoidable mistakes and points you toward the parts that make it special. For small, creative projects, that extra help can be the difference between closing the tab and discovering a favorite.