History Main / PuzzlePan

* Before a level in ''VideoGame/PlantsVsZombies'', the camera pans right, and you see a mix of zombies representing what types you'll likely see next round, which helps the player decide what plants to pick.

* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda''

* The ''Franchise/AssassinsCreed'' series makes extensive use of this technique, especially in the crypt/vault/tomb sequences where the game emphasizes rapid and precise platforming more than murder. It can [[StopHelpingMe go too far]], though, such as when the camera pans across to a jump you're supposed to make, but also throws off your aim because the directional controls are relative to the camera, not the character.

Back in 2005, author Steven Johnson wrote a book titled ''Everything Bad Is Good For You.'' It was his attempt to refute the notion that [[NewMediaAreEvil today's pop culture, especially video games, act to dumb down the American public]]. VideoGames, Johnson argued, have become so complex that they actually stimulate our minds, not dull them.

Video game creators agree. Fortunately, they're willing to help you out.

* The ''LEGOAdaptationGame Series''

* The [=3D=] ''PrinceOfPersia'' titles

* ''SonicTheHedgehog''
* ''SuperMarioBros.''
** ''Mario Vs. Donkey Kong''
* ''[[AmericanMcGeesAlice American McGee's Alice]]'' inverts this at one point. Right after the camera finishes panning over a new area, the Cheshire Cat makes a comment to the effect of "...the proper way of things is a mystery to me. You, too?" The very fact that the camera has stopped moving (and that the Cat's comments have been of dubious sanity and mixed value thus far) keeps you from noticing [[spoiler: that the Cat's ''eyes'' are pointing out the pattern you need to follow]].
* While not specifically a puzzle, The Monk Temple in ''[[Jak3Wastelander Jak 3]]'' has a specific puzzle pan shot in a large barrel-shaped bowl to show the player where to go (up), as playtesters were often confused as to where to go next before it was put in.

* Various ''{{Metroid}}'' games. Specifically, the ''Prime'' series.

* ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts'', in the race at the start of the game.

* ''TombRaider''

* ''GodOfWar''

* The ''AssassinsCreed'' series makes extensive use of this technique, especially in the crypt/vault/tomb sequences where the game emphasizes rapid and precise platforming more than murder. It can [[StopHelpingMe go too far]], though, such as when the camera pans across to a jump you're supposed to make, but also throws off your aim because the directional controls are relative to the camera, not the character.

* ''AvalonCode'' likes this as well. at one point, what it shows is actually the 'hard way', though.

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* ''LegendOfZelda''

* ''WorldOfGoo''

* ''[[AssassinsCreed Assassin's Creed II]]'' does this extensively, especially in one of the Assassin Tombs.

* ''{{Okami}}'' and ''{{Okamiden}}''

* ''KingdomHearts'', in the race at the start of the game.

* ''{{Wild ARMs XF}}'', though technically neither a puzzler nor a platformer, is really a puzzle game masquerading as a strategy RPG. It gives you an overview of each battlefield before you attempt it, often with some helpful hints from your resident [[TheStrategist strategist]] (though these get useless very quickly).

* Before a level in ''PlantsVsZombies'', the camera pans right, and you see a mix of zombies representing what types you'll likely see next round, which helps the player decide what plants to pick.

* The ''[[LegoCrossoverGame Lego Series]]''

As technology has grown more sophisticated, video game puzzles have become increasingly complicated. This is true regardless of genre: These days, platforming puzzles tend to involve the player character running up a wall, performing a backflip, grabbing a strategically placed rod, swinging two or three times to gain momentum, [[JumpingTheShark driving a motorcycle over a pool full of dolphins]], yada yada yada.

As technology has grown more sophisticated, video game puzzles have become increasingly complicated. This is true regardless of genre: These days, platforming puzzles tend to involve the player character running up a wall, performing a backflip, grabbing a strategically placed rod, swinging two or three times to gain momentum, yada yada yada, [[JumpingTheShark driving a motorcycle over a pool full of dolphins]].

[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin A game's camera pans over the puzzle you're about to solve.]] For elaboration, let your eyes slowly follow the text on this page all the way to the bottom before you start reading on.

Games featuring this trope include:
* ''GodOfWar''
* The [=3D=] ''PrinceOfPersia'' titles
* Various ''{{Metroid}}'' games. Specifically, the ''Prime'' series.
* ''SonicTheHedgehog''
* ''SuperMarioBros.''
** ''Mario Vs. Donkey Kong''

* ''{{Okami}}'' (to an almost painful degree)

* ''WorldOfGoo''
* ''{{Wild ARMs XF}}'', though technically neither a puzzler nor a platformer, is really a puzzle game masquerading as a strategy RPG. It gives you an overview of each battlefield before you attempt it, often with some helpful hints from your resident [[TheStrategist strategist]] (though these get useless very quickly).
* ''[[AmericanMcGeesAlice American McGee's Alice]]'' inverts this at one point. Right after the camera finishes panning over a new area, the Cheshire Cat makes a comment to the effect of "...the proper way of things is a mystery to me. You, too?" The very fact that the camera has stopped moving (and that the Cat's comments have been of dubious sanity and mixed value thus far) keeps you from noticing [[spoiler: that the Cat's ''eyes'' are pointing out the pattern you need to follow]].
* ''[[AssassinsCreed Assassin's Creed II]]'' does this extensively, especially in one of the Assassin Tombs.
* ''[[AvalonCode Avalon Code]]'' likes this as well. at one point, what it shows is actually the 'hard way', though.

<<|VideoGameTropes|>>
<<|AddedAlliterativeAppeal|>>

This is not PeterPan's college educated brother, by the way.

* Before a level in ''PlantsVsZombies'', the camera pans left, and you see a mix of zombies representing what types you'll likely see next round, which helps the player decide what plants to pick.