Master the Bring Back The Sun Lockpick: Locations, Secrets, and Usage Guide

Finding your way through a minimalist puzzle-platformer can be both meditative and incredibly frustrating when you hit a literal dead end. If you have discovered the Bring Back The Sun lockpick but aren't quite sure what to do with it, you are not alone. This specific utility item is the key to uncovering the game's most elusive secrets and achieving a 100% completion rate. In this guide, we will break down the exact mechanics of the Bring Back The Sun lockpick, ensuring you know exactly where to take it to maximize your progress.

Understanding the Role of the Lockpick

In the world of Bring Back The Sun, items are sparse and their purposes are often left for the player to deduce through trial and error. The lockpick isn't just a simple tool; it represents a shift in gameplay from pure platforming to exploration-based progression. Unlike the primary "sun" fragments you collect to light up the world, the lockpick allows you to bypass specific environmental gates that lead to optional, high-value areas.

Community reports suggest that many players stumble upon the lockpick in the subterranean sections of the map, often after completing a particularly tricky jump sequence. Because the game doesn't provide a traditional inventory screen with detailed descriptions, the "player experience" often involves a bit of backtracking to remember where those pesky locked doors were located.

Where to Find the Bring Back The Sun Lockpick

Before you can worry about where to use it, you must first secure the item. According to various player experience logs, the lockpick is typically tucked away in a corner of the map that requires a combination of precise dashing and wall-jumping. It is rarely on the "main path" required to simply finish the game, which is why many casual players miss it entirely.

The location is often described as being "below the third sun fragment," tucked behind a false wall or a sequence of disappearing platforms. If you are following the natural flow of the game, look for areas where the color palette shifts to a deeper blue or grey, indicating you are entering the "depths" of the world.

Step-by-Step Acquisition Guide

1. Navigate to the Central Hub area after collecting at least two sun fragments.
2. Descend into the lower caverns located to the far left of the starting pedestal.
3. Look for a series of vertical shafts guarded by moving hazards.
4. At the bottom of the third shaft, dash through the right-hand wall to reveal a hidden alcove.
5. Collect the Bring Back The Sun lockpick from the glowing pedestal.

Where to Use the Bring Back The Sun Lockpick

Once the item is in your possession, the real challenge begins. The game world is interconnected, and the gates that require the Bring Back The Sun lockpick are often placed in areas you visited much earlier in your journey. This design choice encourages players to view the map as a cohesive puzzle rather than a linear series of levels.

Based on community-sourced data, there are three primary locations where the lockpick is essential. Using it in these areas doesn't just grant points; it often changes the environment or provides a shortcut that makes future traversal significantly easier.

1. The Gate of the First Light

Located near the very beginning of the game, this gate is often mocked by players who try to jump over it for twenty minutes before realizing they need a tool. Using the lockpick here reveals a shortcut to the endgame area, allowing you to bypass a difficult spike corridor.

2. The Merchant’s Stash

In the eastern quadrant of the map, there is a small room that looks like a shop but is empty. Using the lockpick on the floor grate reveals a hidden basement filled with "Star Shards," which are used to upgrade your dash distance.

3. The Observatory Entrance

The most important use for the Bring Back The Sun lockpick is at the Observatory. This location is vital for players aiming for the "True Ending." Without the lockpick, the heavy iron doors remain shut, preventing you from seeing the final constellation puzzle.

Advanced Strategies for Efficient Exploration

Using the Bring Back The Sun lockpick effectively requires a bit of planning. Since the game features a minimalist UI, you won't have a map markers telling you where to go. Experienced players recommend "mental mapping" or even sketching a quick layout of the world to track where you've seen locked icons.

One tip from the player community is to save the lockpick for the Observatory if you are playing a speedrun. While the shortcut in the starting area is helpful, the time taken to detour to the lockpick location might not be worth it unless you are going for a 100% category run. However, for a standard playthrough, the upgrades found in the Merchant’s Stash are invaluable for making the final platforming sections less punishing.

Optimization Table for Speedrunners

Hidden Secrets and Community Discoveries

The developer of Bring Back The Sun is known for hiding "meta-secrets" within their games. Some players have reported that the Bring Back The Sun lockpick can be used on a specific pixel in the credits screen to unlock a secret developer commentary mode. While this hasn't been officially confirmed in the patch notes, the "player experience" shared on forums suggests there is more to this item than meets the eye.

Another interesting discovery involves the interaction between the lockpick and the "Sun Aura." If you approach a locked gate while your character is fully charged with light, the lockpick might not be consumed upon use. This potential bug (or hidden mechanic) allows players to open all three major locks with a single pick, though it requires precise timing and a deep understanding of the game's light mechanics.

For more official updates and developer insights, you can visit the Bring Back The Sun Steam Page, where the community frequently shares new discoveries and speedrun tactics.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, players find that they cannot interact with a gate even if they have the Bring Back The Sun lockpick in their possession. This is usually due to one of three reasons:

• Input Conflict: Ensure you are pressing the "Interact" key (usually 'E' or 'X') rather than the "Jump" key.
• State Reset: If you died after picking up the lockpick but before reaching a checkpoint, you may need to go back and collect it again.
• Wrong Gate: Not all gates are opened by the lockpick. Some require a specific "Sun Key" or a sequence of switches to be flipped in a different part of the map.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I finish the game without the Bring Back The Sun lockpick?

Yes, you can reach the basic ending of the game without ever finding the lockpick. However, you will miss out on several secret areas, the dash upgrade, and the "True Ending" located within the Observatory. It is highly recommended for anyone who wants the full experience.

Is the lockpick a one-time use item?

In the standard version of the game, the Bring Back The Sun lockpick is consumed upon opening the Observatory or the Merchant’s Stash. However, the shortcut gate in the starting area sometimes behaves differently. Most players report that they need to find the item again if they wish to unlock multiple secrets in a single run, unless they utilize the "Sun Aura" trick mentioned by the community.

Where is the easiest place to find the lockpick?

The easiest location to secure the Bring Back The Sun lockpick is in the Hidden Alcove within the Sunken Shafts. It requires the least amount of high-level platforming skill, though it does require you to be observant enough to find the false wall.

Does the lockpick carry over to New Game Plus?

Currently, Bring Back The Sun does not feature a traditional New Game Plus mode. Every time you start a new journey to restore light to the world, you will need to re-locate the lockpick and decide where to use it based on your goals for that specific run.