Dumb question - how do I open the cell block things?

[BA|Oddbod]

Sorry this is probably a super dumb question but I started this game ages ago, played for like 20 minutes, and set it aside for a long while. I'm just now am coming back to it.

I don't know if there was some tutorial I forgot the lessons of, but I can't figure out how to open the sliding door at the top of the 9-block square metal things on the first level.

I only know they open because I watched a walk-through video online and saw that when the player had collected a certain number of each block, it opened. At least I think that's why it did.

The problem is, my screen doesn't show the red number in the upper right corner of the blocks, which seems to show how many you need of each. All I see is the green number showing how many of each I've collected.

Also, what is the point of getting into those things. Do you have to fill them up or something to get past those indestructible blocks that separate me from the treasure chest?

I'm probably missing something super basic but I'm not having any luck figuring out what it is.

Thanks for any help.

[BA|Oddbod]

Also, watching some of these walkthroughs, why aren't I seeing any of the scientist dialog before the levels? I watched a walkthrough for the first slimes level and it started with some intro dialog. I don't see any of that, even the first time I loaded the level.

[SomeGuy712x]

Those 3x3 metal containers are upgrade machines, and if there are no red numbers and the upgrade machine isn't opening, then you probably already have the upgrade in question. Also, the very first level doesn't open with any dialog, and instead the first dialog occurs when you get the first upgrade. You could start over on a new file (or delete your current file and restart on that one) if you want to reset everything so that you can do the upgrade process again and see the dialog that follows it.

If you don't want to completely start over, you can look at this video I made nearly two years ago, where I started a new file and then went through the entire main game start-to-finish in one session, and you can read the story dialog that shows up as I progress through the game (pause the video during the dialog if you want more time to read it).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4h0Bzd04YA

Also, to get past the obsidian blocks in the way of certain treasure chests, you'll need to get an upgrade from a later level, and then replay the levels containing those chests when you're able to reach them.

[BA|Oddbod]

Ahhhh ok! So the upgrade machines are unrelated to the obsidian blocks (on the first level at least). I can stop beating my little square head against them and try to get the upgrade later.

Thanks!