10 Video Games With GENIUS Tutorials

4. Super Metroid

Super Metroid is a near perfect example of gameplay telling a story. Through its creepy corridors and alien-infested vents you’ll find moments where the game doesn’t take you aside to TELL you what’s going on, but SHOWS you instead.

The introduction is a perfect example because it informs the player of the game's core messages; that they will experience isolation, but also danger around every corner. After letting the player get used to the jumping mechanics, you enter a room with a single metroid on the ground. There are no prompts, no HUD popping up to tell you what to do. All you get... IS A BIG BOSS FIGHT AND THEN THE MOMENT IS OVER AND YOU MUST EVACUATE.

This is in the game's first five minutes, and acts as a trial by fire. If you make it out of this section you feel absolutely pumped and ready to tackle the main game, and the best thing is, the game teaches you combat, evasion and platforming within this set piece, in such a manner that by the time it’s over, you’re ready to bring the fight to whatever gets in your way.