When I first started making my game, this was the first thing I considered. I remember hearing that the best way to ensure you have a good game is to make sure your movement is good cause every other mechanic is dictated by movement since its the very first input every gamer does. So if the movement is fun, other mechanics usually become fun by default. Great video as always!
It's kind of crazy to think about just how foundational movement is. If it's not engaging, or at the very least, functional, the rest of the experience is really going to struggle. Thank you so much, Dream! Really happy you enjoyed it :)
I do think that it's far more impressive when the movement helps tell a story, and one of the best examples being Journey. As you progress through the game, the Journey gets harder and harder, and as you reach the top, you begin to slow down to a point of seemingly death. But then all of a sudden, you're rejuvenated and brought back to your best self: moving with rapidity. It's such a harsh transition, but it's beautiful.
I totally agree! Journey is a great reference. I haven't played through the game in so long, but if it were fresher in my memory, there's a good chance it would have ended up on this video!
Very good video! Not something I often think about, and definitely agree with your points of Stray that both cats and humans have their advantages and disadvantages with traversal.
Love this video! Movement really is so important in all games. If I'm too slow in an RPG, it makes everything feel like a chore. If it's too fast, like the Tribes games, you either have to practice a lot, or play something else. Love the essay, great editing, and very insightful! Thanks Wils!
Really love your writing and narration! You capture something so specific about how each of these games *feels* just through your words alone... but man, that smooooth editing is the icing on the cake. Great stuff!
Hey, thank you so much, Arf!! I really appreciate the kind words, so glad you dug the video. Your content looks awesome, I'll be looking forward to seeing what you cook up in the future!
Such an awesome piece on a very important aspect in video games. Would love to see more of these where you focus down one thing and find great examples of it. I remember everyone saying how important the movement would be in the original Marvel Spiderman game because of how much people want to swing around NYC as spiderman and I thought they nailed it. Jusant looks so solid to me. A relaxing little climb
Thanks so much dude, I appreciate the feedback! I'm planning to shift into more videos like this and less on strict reviews, I'm really having fun making these. Jusant is really awesome! Might be one you'd enjoy reviewing as you can get through it quickly, but I'm sure you've already got plenty of games on your plate, haha!
I've always wondered why no game took the grip meter and 'hold to climb' mechanic from Shadow of the Colossus and ran with it. Apparently that game is finally here. Will definitely add it to my list, next to Stray that's been sitting on there for a while. Great video!
Thank you so much, Jort! I love it when someone puts a new game in their queue from watching one of my videos. I'd love to know what you think of Jusant whenever you get around to it! And yes, you *must* play Stray :)
This video is amazing! I really thought you had 100k+ subscribers because of the quality of the editing, voiceover and script! Keep up the incredible videos and I really hope you grow as much as you should!!:)
Biff, thank you so much, you've made my day!! I really can't receive a higher compliment than this. Many more videos to come, I hope you'll continue to join :)
Last week, I completed "The Last Of Us," and I have to say that this game is a masterpiece in every way, including the way they show an older human being like Joel, who can still do amazing things and use the environment for his survival. Also, when I try to think about games with nice movement, Lego games come to my mind. Not because they are outstanding or the movement is a significant part of the game, but it has not changed through the years, only improved by adding new ways of moving in the game, and it just feels good to run around with the Lego character. By the way, amazing video, and I want to see more from you. Maybe you could make one about philosophy in video games.
Oh man, there's so much to unpack with The Last Of Us, I'll definitely be making a video on those games in the future. I agree, the Lego games feel great to control! Like you said, it's nothing groundbreaking, but it really doesn't have to be. Thank you so much for the kind words and for that great video idea! Many more videos to come, I hope you'll join :)
Great topic! I like how you used Spider-Man as an example. The sense of freedom and flow you get once you know how the movement works is incredible. And through upgrades you can even enhance this experience. Keep up the good work!
Hey, thank you so much! Super glad you dug the video :) Yeah, the freedom of traversal in Spider-Man is just so satisfying. I've been holding on playing part 2 cause I don't want to run out of Spider-Man games to play!
@@Wilson-108 I‘m playing part 2 right now! It’s amazing but I’m kinda sad that the focus is moving away from web swinging. I’m basically just flying around with the web wings 😂. But it’s fun too and you could of course not use them (at least for traversing).
I think that the tactile textures of movement is signifanct to a game's experience as well. The feelings of friction, weight, balance go a long way to making movement feel satisfying. It's something I personally dislike about games developed under the Valve engine. It gives the feeling of gliding instead of walking on top of a surface, which lends itself to a distinctly glossy feeling. The perceived lack of friction is something that I find dissatisfying, and it's interesting how these tiny details can impact of the experience and enjoyment at such a fundamental level. Great video, you provoke very fun and interesting thoughts with your videos!
It really is interesting how every game is played with the same controller, and yet, the engine used and the manner in which that engine is sculpted can lead to two experiences playing completely differently. It's so fascinating. I know what you mean regarding Valve games! Left 4 Dead comes to mind, haha. Thank you so much for the kind words, I'm very happy you enjoyed it!
Duuude the transition between Jusant and Spiderman was very satisfying to me lol
Thank you so much Luka!! I'm so glad someone mentioned that, I was really happy it, haha
When I first started making my game, this was the first thing I considered. I remember hearing that the best way to ensure you have a good game is to make sure your movement is good cause every other mechanic is dictated by movement since its the very first input every gamer does. So if the movement is fun, other mechanics usually become fun by default.
Great video as always!
It's kind of crazy to think about just how foundational movement is. If it's not engaging, or at the very least, functional, the rest of the experience is really going to struggle.
Thank you so much, Dream! Really happy you enjoyed it :)
I do think that it's far more impressive when the movement helps tell a story, and one of the best examples being Journey. As you progress through the game, the Journey gets harder and harder, and as you reach the top, you begin to slow down to a point of seemingly death. But then all of a sudden, you're rejuvenated and brought back to your best self: moving with rapidity. It's such a harsh transition, but it's beautiful.
I totally agree! Journey is a great reference. I haven't played through the game in so long, but if it were fresher in my memory, there's a good chance it would have ended up on this video!
Another banger of a video man! I loved your clever use of the "Swinging" transition. Pure class!
Thank you so much, Spooly!! Really appreciate the kind words and so glad you dug the transition, thanks for watching :)
Very good video! Not something I often think about, and definitely agree with your points of Stray that both cats and humans have their advantages and disadvantages with traversal.
Thank you man!! Oh man, Stray is just so good, I'll never stop gushing about that game.
Looking forward to seeing what you've got cooking up next!
Love this video! Movement really is so important in all games. If I'm too slow in an RPG, it makes everything feel like a chore. If it's too fast, like the Tribes games, you either have to practice a lot, or play something else. Love the essay, great editing, and very insightful! Thanks Wils!
Thanks so much as always, Noble!! For sure, being too slow in a game is *killer*. Nothing worse than feeling like a slug.
Really love your writing and narration! You capture something so specific about how each of these games *feels* just through your words alone... but man, that smooooth editing is the icing on the cake. Great stuff!
Hey, thank you so much, Arf!! I really appreciate the kind words, so glad you dug the video. Your content looks awesome, I'll be looking forward to seeing what you cook up in the future!
@@Wilson-108 'Course! And aww, I appreciate that. The feeling's mutual!
Such an awesome piece on a very important aspect in video games. Would love to see more of these where you focus down one thing and find great examples of it. I remember everyone saying how important the movement would be in the original Marvel Spiderman game because of how much people want to swing around NYC as spiderman and I thought they nailed it.
Jusant looks so solid to me. A relaxing little climb
Thanks so much dude, I appreciate the feedback! I'm planning to shift into more videos like this and less on strict reviews, I'm really having fun making these. Jusant is really awesome! Might be one you'd enjoy reviewing as you can get through it quickly, but I'm sure you've already got plenty of games on your plate, haha!
I've always wondered why no game took the grip meter and 'hold to climb' mechanic from Shadow of the Colossus and ran with it. Apparently that game is finally here. Will definitely add it to my list, next to Stray that's been sitting on there for a while. Great video!
Thank you so much, Jort! I love it when someone puts a new game in their queue from watching one of my videos. I'd love to know what you think of Jusant whenever you get around to it! And yes, you *must* play Stray :)
This video is amazing! I really thought you had 100k+ subscribers because of the quality of the editing, voiceover and script!
Keep up the incredible videos and I really hope you grow as much as you should!!:)
Biff, thank you so much, you've made my day!! I really can't receive a higher compliment than this. Many more videos to come, I hope you'll continue to join :)
You’re welcome!:) I’ll definitely keep watching the videos you post and I’m excited to see what you come up with!
Awesome, please let me know your thoughts! The next one is underway, hope to have it finished ASAP :)
Seriously amazing video. Some of the best commentary out there.
Thank you so much!! Can't tell you how much I appreciate that :)
Loving these video essays, keep them coming 👏👏
One game that comes to mind for me personally when I think of unique movement is Abzu.
Thank you so much, I'm very glad you enjoy them!! Many more to come :)
Abzu is awesome, I can't wait for their next game!
Last week, I completed "The Last Of Us," and I have to say that this game is a masterpiece in every way, including the way they show an older human being like Joel, who can still do amazing things and use the environment for his survival. Also, when I try to think about games with nice movement, Lego games come to my mind. Not because they are outstanding or the movement is a significant part of the game, but it has not changed through the years, only improved by adding new ways of moving in the game, and it just feels good to run around with the Lego character. By the way, amazing video, and I want to see more from you. Maybe you could make one about philosophy in video games.
Oh man, there's so much to unpack with The Last Of Us, I'll definitely be making a video on those games in the future. I agree, the Lego games feel great to control! Like you said, it's nothing groundbreaking, but it really doesn't have to be.
Thank you so much for the kind words and for that great video idea! Many more videos to come, I hope you'll join :)
Great topic! I like how you used Spider-Man as an example. The sense of freedom and flow you get once you know how the movement works is incredible. And through upgrades you can even enhance this experience. Keep up the good work!
Hey, thank you so much! Super glad you dug the video :)
Yeah, the freedom of traversal in Spider-Man is just so satisfying. I've been holding on playing part 2 cause I don't want to run out of Spider-Man games to play!
@@Wilson-108 I‘m playing part 2 right now! It’s amazing but I’m kinda sad that the focus is moving away from web swinging. I’m basically just flying around with the web wings 😂. But it’s fun too and you could of course not use them (at least for traversing).
Very interesting, sounds like I may end up having to make a separate video about that game's traversal!
I think that the tactile textures of movement is signifanct to a game's experience as well. The feelings of friction, weight, balance go a long way to making movement feel satisfying. It's something I personally dislike about games developed under the Valve engine. It gives the feeling of gliding instead of walking on top of a surface, which lends itself to a distinctly glossy feeling. The perceived lack of friction is something that I find dissatisfying, and it's interesting how these tiny details can impact of the experience and enjoyment at such a fundamental level. Great video, you provoke very fun and interesting thoughts with your videos!
It really is interesting how every game is played with the same controller, and yet, the engine used and the manner in which that engine is sculpted can lead to two experiences playing completely differently. It's so fascinating. I know what you mean regarding Valve games! Left 4 Dead comes to mind, haha.
Thank you so much for the kind words, I'm very happy you enjoyed it!
Great Video about an interesting Topic. Keep it up my man.
Thank you so much, Neo!! I really appreciate the kind words, glad you enjoyed :)
Damn you make good videos, keep up the great work!
Thank you so much, Parker!! I really appreciate that :) Next video is coming along well, I'd love to hear your thoughts once it goes live!
Great video, as always!
Thank you so much for watching, Zander!! I really appreciate it :)
great video, your voice and commentary is nice
Thank you very much for the kind words, it really means so to me!
great video!
Thank you so much!!