The Hydra Experiment

Dr. Esereth, the multi-minded mad scientist, has granted you consciousness! At least, temporarily...

To retain the gift of life, you must prove your worth to the collective by conquering four themed testing areas in any order: the nanite factory, the observatory, the chemistry branch, and the greenhouse.

Find prototypes scattered throughout the facilities to help you solve puzzles and navigate combat. Assign them to one of nine buttons (by default mapped to the numpad).

Shape your new identity and story by making narrative decisions.

Original score

The musical tracks produced by glycerin (formerly Kira Rigel) sculpt the atmosphere without skipping a beat between zone transitions. Collectible CDs litter the world for you to add to your library. Make playlists from your favorites to listen to while playing, or to just have on in the background. Artist's page:

Prototypes

Low-Gravity Boots - Explore the third dimension. Hold down the assigned button to jump higher and farther.

Hypersphere Hamsterball - Alternate your size between medium and fast or small and slow with the interact button.

S.R.S.B. - Small Radius Singularity Bomb. Disclaimer: singularities will kill you IRL. Please use black holes responsibly.

Solvent Saturator 6000 - Hold down the assigned button to charge. Release to shoot. Use the interact button to swap liquids.

Arachno Apparatus - Increase your height and jump distance. Hold and release the interact button to shoot webbing.

Everyvator Remote - Warp to the subconscious everyvator. Takes some time to recharge.

Eclipse Cocktail - Shatter before the flame goes out and the tronisch acid inside will catch fire. Use on metal surfaces to produce electricity.

Plasma Pack - Defy gravity.

Nanite Factory

The industrial heart of Zero-Labs. Nanites construct and maintain assembly lines for prototype production and other nanites. However, the nanites have been acting a bit strange recently. Their inventor, Kelvin, suspects this has something to do with their ability to optimize and adapt over generations. Surely nothing of concern would ever arise from giving robots evolutionary functions... Right?

Observatory

The eyes of Zero-Labs. This satellite branch drifts through space, cataloging celestial bodies and looking for potential signs of life. Reinforced glass floors make it easy to get lost in the serenity of space. An excellent place to collect your thoughts in peace.

Chemistry Branch

The stomach of Zero-Labs. Vats of acid and other chemicals are stored in reserve here, as well as the lab's water treatment plant. Be careful with your plumbing around here or you'll be taking an acid bath. Speaking of, it's probably about time someone ordered those industrial-sized vat lids...

Greenhouse

The reproductive organs of Zero-Labs. A collection of alien and genetically modified flora for medicinal and research purposes. It might be time to trim these hedges, as some of the species seem to be cross-breeding at an alarming rate. That might have something to do with all the nanite pollinators that found their way inside this branch.