Level Up!: The Guide to Great Video Game Design

Chapter 6. MECHANICS AND HAZARDS

• Moving platforms: horizontal, vertical, diagonal

• Sinking/shrinking/collapsing platforms

• Ladders

• Swingable vine/trapeze

• Zip line

• Conveyer belt

• Slippery ice

• Spring/trampoline/jump pad/air gust

• Accelerator

• Pendulum/swinging object timing puzzle

• Rotating platform

• Spinning hazard

• Hazard that smashes down or up

• Blasting flame/wind/cannon timing puzzle

• Exploding object

• Breakable object

• Climbable wall surface

• Deadly surface/sticky floor/poison gas that slows player movement

• Object that grabs the player, requiring another move to break free

• Teleportal

• Opening/closing door/drawbridge

• Locked door requiring a key or some other method to open

• Treasure chest

• Health/ammo dispenser

• Spotlight that player must avoid (stealth)

• Push block

• Floor switch/pressure plate

• Lever

• Crank/pump

• Balance beam

• Carryable/throwable object

• Shootable target

• Catapult that launches player or object

• Two-stage openable or breakable object

• Lighting fixture to control light/darkness effect