From the ingenious beginnings of Donkey Kong to the acrobatic stylings of Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones, the platform genre has been around almost since the very inception of video games. While its roots may represent gaming at its most basic, their evolution has introduced complexity and depth while retaining the basics of the genre. These basics may seem obvious to veterans, but may be perplexing to the novice.
Still going from one platform to the next.
Platforms
Fortunately, the genre's name doesn't require much explanation. It comes from—you guessed it—the navigation of platforms, as icons like Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog leapt from one platform to another in their quest to reach the end of the level.
While the basic structure of platform games remain the same, the genre may now be better defined as "environmental puzzle solving." Today's virtual playgrounds are meant to be scaled, shimmied across, jumped on, sprinted through, and slid down as you traverse a complicated and puzzling terrain. At its heart, the platform game offers the player a new world to explore, and challenges you to search every nook and cranny of it.
Control
Being able to precisely move your character is the single most important thing for you to master. Forget special abilities, and even jumping, and focus n getting comfortable moving your character around the environment. When time is of the essence, you don't want to make any mistakes.
Vehicles have been a staple of the genre for years.
What many novice gamers don't take into account is the momentum of their character. With powerful new console technology and the precise controls afforded by analog control sticks, you're not just controlling a series of preset digital animations like back in the Donkey Kong days, but a character that is responsive and that has its own momentum.
For example, you may need to build up to a full run in order to climb a steep slope, you will slip and slide on slick surfaces like ice, and you may need to maintain your balance on perilous surfaces like narrow ledges or even tightropes.
Camera
Almost as important as staying in control of your character is controlling your perspective of the environment. In many games, the 'camera', which you never see, but is what appears to follow you through your adventures, is often under your control as well.
Consult your game's manual or options menu to determine how and if you are able to control the camera. Taking control of the camera will allow you to accurately judge distances, view unique angles, and even spy out secrets or get the drop on an enemy. Proper mastery of the camera will allow you to take full advantage of your environment, so take the time to get the hang of the controls.
First Person View
Because of the nature of a third-person camera, sometimes it may be difficult to view items or specific areas. To combat this, most games allow you to shift to a first-person perspective to look around. Again, consult the manual or the options menu for details on how to access this viewpoint.
Scale the city's skyscrapers in Crackdown.
Lining Up
A mistimed or misjudged jump is the single most common cause of failure (read: death) in a platform game, and is usually caused by a single error: impatience. When faced with a difficult series of jumps, always take the time to properly assess the situation.
Make sure that the camera is placed directly behind your character, allowing you to properly line yourself. Up. This, in turn, will at least allow you to hit your target straight on, and not miss to either side.
Smooth Moves
It's not uncommon to play for hours without fully mastering your character's complete range of moves. Whether it's the ability to kick off walls or run across them, pound through bricks, or double jump in mid-air, make sure you understand can perform all of your character's moves. This will save you from having to use a move you aren't particularly skilled at when you really need it.
New Moves
Learning new abilities is always fun, but it also highlights a classic staple of the genre. When you learn a new ability, chances are you will need to use it immediately to access the next part of the level or world. If you're stumped, and you've just upgraded or learned a new ability, look to that to move forward.
Next-gen platforming from the makers of Prince of Persia.
Combat Optional
Another common pitfall for the platforming novice is falling prey to unnecessary combat. Just because there are enemies on the prowl doesn't mean you have to engage them. Enemies are used primarily as a change of pace in platforming games, and while entertaining, and occasionally necessary, you can often choose to avoid them.
Boss Patterns
Boss encounters in any game rarely let you rely on basic combat skills, but platform games in particular are notorious for using a basic pattern of behavior in boss fights. Once you analyze the pattern and understand it, it should reveal a boss' particular weakness.
It could be a soft underbelly, an exposed eye, repeated stalling under a weak platform, or any number of other unique vulnerabilities. Begin any boss encounter by holding back and observing. Only attack when you understand the pattern, and if your initial tactic fails, retreat once more and watch again.
Secrets Abound
Platform games usually offer a linear core experience, but don't be fooled into simply playing from beginning to end. Nearly all platform games all littered with hidden areas and even levels, offering power upgrades, extra lives, or unlockable content. Half the fun of the game is often finding a hidden path to a secret area, and more and more developers place secret goodies there to reward your efforts.
The platform genre is not difficult to grasp, but it can be difficult to master. However, with this Novice Guide on your side, you should have an edge in both understanding the genre and in getting started on the right foot. Good luck!
