10 Most Bizarre Video Game Mechanics (That Actually Worked)

7. Healing By Taking 5 Up Against A Wall - The Getaway

The great thing about older games is plenty of them had absolutely no interest in holding your hand and making sure you knew all the mechanics.

I mean, who needs to be told how to heal in a shooter? You’ll just figure that out on your own, right?

2002 action-adventure The Getaway is inspired by British gangster films so, yes, you’re going to be getting shot at a lot and there’s a decent chance some of those bullets are going to connect. Curiously, the healing mechanic only activates when you sidle up to a wall. This one really took some doing for players who didn’t know what they were getting into but it served as a pretty cool moment when people did figure it out. Essentially you’re absolutely knackered and potentially bullet-riddled so you rest up against a wall for a bit, catch your breath, and then you’re good to go. If you haven’t played it, it’s worth clarifying that this doesn’t happen as simply or automatically as regular health regeneration in other games.

It’s a little strange, but sits really well within the vibe of the game and by some reports, was an absolute godsend to discover you do not need to complete every level in a perfect run.