What you’ll do in this section

  • Unlock Cody’s nail-throwing and May’s hammer mechanics after a cutscene.
  • Learn the core co-op loop: raise/lower platforms, then “pin” them in place with nails.
  • Coordinate a timed run past a moving circular saw using a mid-route platform.
  • Reach the Tool Box arena and start the next boss fight.

New abilities: nails and hammer

After the post-boss cutscene, you’ll gain your first “signature” tools for this chapter:

  • Cody: throws nails into wooden targets and can use them to hold pieces in position.
  • May: uses the hammer to latch onto nails and to trigger hammer-based mechanisms.

Key takeaway: Most puzzles here are a two-step rhythm: May sets the timing/position, then Cody locks it with a nail.

May and Cody navigate wooden platforms in It Takes Two

The first platform lock puzzle

Raise the platform so Cody can cross

May should strike the yellow button/platform to lift it. While it’s up, Cody moves across to the far side.

Pin the platform in place with a nail

When May hits again and the platform changes state, Cody needs to throw a nail into the special hole/slot to keep it held temporarily so the team can continue.

Build a nail path for May, then lift Cody’s next route

Give May something to hook onto

Cody should place nails into the yellow wooden boards so May can swing/step across using the hammer latch.

Use the hammer mechanism to raise the next platform

Once May reaches the mechanism, she triggers it with the hammer to lift another platform for Cody.

Two staggered platforms: set the heights to climb together

It Takes Two characters climbing wall in industrial area

You’ll see two platforms that need to end up at different heights.

May controls their height by striking them, and Cody supports the setup with nail placement. Make the left platform slightly higher than the right so both characters can climb up without getting stuck.

Common mistake: Matching the heights often leaves one of you without a clean follow-up jump. If you stall, adjust so the left is higher.

Hanging platform door: open it, then keep it open

It Takes Two May swings hammer in factory

Get May onto the suspended platform

Cody helps May reach the other side and step onto the hanging platform.

Drop the platform to open the door

As the platform lowers, it triggers the connected door to open.

Lock the door with a nail

Once the door is open, secure it by pinning it in place with a nail so it doesn’t reset.

Stop the platform again and move on

Use another nail interaction to halt the hanging platform at a usable position, then head into the next area.

It Takes Two characters jumping in factory machinery area

May’s obstacle run: Cody places nails, May advances

In the next stretch, May pushes forward through the hazards while Cody provides “anchors” by throwing nails to hold platforms or create stable points at the right moments.

When May clears the route, Cody steps onto the yellow platform, and May strikes it with the hammer to launch/raise him into position.

It Takes Two characters standing on industrial platforms

Cody’s timed run past the moving circular saw

Wait for the safe timing window

A circular saw moves back and forth along the path. Don’t sprint immediately—watch its motion first.

Sprint to the mid-way platform

When the saw starts moving away from you, Cody runs to the platform roughly halfway through the lane.

May triggers the platform from the opposite side

Cody’s timing matters because May must hit the platform with her hammer from across the gap while Cody is ready to use it.

It Takes Two characters standing on metal platforms indoors

Upper platforms: reposition them for May with nails

Once Cody is above, he’ll need to switch/adjust platforms for May by placing nails into the correct points so she can keep climbing.

Tip (nail recall control): If you need a specific nail back, aim your view at that nail before recalling. Otherwise, the game may return the last nail you placed, not the one you intended.

Two vertical platforms: alternate left then right

When May reaches the pair of vertical platforms:

  1. Cody activates the left one first so May can latch onto it.
  2. After May grabs on, Cody activates the right one.

This alternating lift lets May climb higher in steps instead of losing progress.

It Takes Two character wall-jumping in industrial shaft

Run to the Tool Box arena

From here, follow the single route forward. Keep moving and dodge the falling nails as you approach the end of the section.

You’ll arrive on a small wooden platform that leads directly into the next fight: the Tool Box boss.