Good News, Gamers! The Secret Ingredient to Ultimate Fun Isn’t Just Combat – It’s How You Move!
Ever noticed how, even in the most combat-heavy games, it’s not always the devastating attacks or strategic takedowns that bring the biggest, most consistent smile to your face? For many of us, the real, enduring joy comes from something else entirely: the pure, unadulterated thrill of movement. It’s a theory that’s become a delightful preoccupation, and the evidence is everywhere, bringing great news to anyone who’s ever felt that exhilarating rush.
My latest obsession, Split-Fiction, feels like a joyful testament to this idea. This cooperative marvel is a veritable theme park of locomotion. One moment you’re soaring through canyons in a wingsuit, the next you’re rocketing skyward with a jetpack, skimming and diving across water on a jet ski, or even nosediving from a sci-fi dropship in a specialized spacesuit. Each level is a love letter to motion, transforming you into a vine-swinging giant monkey, a gracefully swift otter, or a fairy riding wind currents like ethereal highways. It’s as if the game shares my passion for simply moving well. And while this is a natural fit for a platformer, the good news is this joyous principle extends far beyond.
Think about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This is a turn-based RPG, a genre traditionally focused on tactical battles. Yet, mere minutes into this fantastical world, you’re zipping across Parisian-inspired rooftops with a grappling hook. The game doesn’t dwell on the ‘why’; it just hands you this exhilarating tool. The undeniable reason? It’s just plain fun. This liberating logic seems to be a delightful undercurrent throughout the entire experience.
Or consider action RPG titans like Diablo 3 or 4. Ostensibly, it’s all about how hard you hit. Yet, watch high-level players, and you’ll see them transforming into blurs, ricocheting around the screen like super-powered pinballs. Movement speed isn’t just a stat; it’s arguably the most valuable one. And what’s the point of a Barbarian’s Leap ability when enemies obligingly come to you? It’s that delicious jolt of movement exhilaration, pure and simple – a feeling mirrored by abilities like Charge in World of Warcraft (PvP tactical uses aside, the feel is key!).
Even in games that champion a more grounded approach, movement shines. Doom: The Dark Ages, with its “stand and fight” motto, immediately presents a standout: the shield-charge. This ability propels you like a human missile across levels, obliterating foes in your path. It’s pure, unadulterated motion. We see this same magnetic appeal in the dynamic agility of Overwatch heroes like Tracer, Genji, and Pharah – characters beloved for their unique ways of navigating the battlefield.
It’s a pattern you’ll start seeing everywhere. Think about the foundational movement mechanics in countless games: the double-jump, the dash, the wall run, the grapple. These aren’t just tools; they’re invitations to experience freedom. (Okay, I’ll momentarily pause my theory to ponder the magnificent Fly spell in Baldur’s Gate 3 – a delightful anomaly!) Whenever you’re directly controlling a character in real-time, the joy of movement is paramount.
So, what’s the magic here? Why are these abilities so universally alluring? I believe it’s tied to the joy of breaking rules – not just the rules of our gravity-bound reality (sadly, my real-life double-jump attempts are less than graceful), but also the established rules within the game worlds themselves.
Games masterfully set up baseline traversal, making us appreciate every upgrade that lets us bend or shatter those initial limitations. This is the secret sauce of entire genres like Metroidvanias. We feel the power of speed buffs, soaring leaps, and graceful glides precisely because we remember the effort they save, the boundaries they erase. And let’s be honest, looking effortlessly cool while zipping past newer players in a shared world is a pretty great feeling too!
This realization is genuinely heartening. It’s wonderful to think there’s a deeper, more universal truth to gaming enjoyment than just vanquishing foes. It’s the exhilaration of wielding superpowers, of becoming a blur of motion that defies the ordinary. That, to me, is where true skill and profound joy often lie. So, I’ll joyfully continue my quest, always opting for those glorious movement abilities. Because, let’s face it, they’re simply the best part of the game.
