ABSTRACT
Puzzle platforming refers to games where the player must figure out how to move through an area by using the environment or specific items to help them. The difference between puzzle platforming and traditional platforming is that the focus is on reading the environment as opposed to pure skill. Puzzle platforming also gave way to a different form of creating a puzzle that we’ll call an environmental puzzle. Puzzle-based platforming will make use of additional systems or rules to devise challenges to test the player. Another big difference between puzzle and traditional platforming is with section design. There are several unique challenges to puzzle platforming compared to traditional platforming. Puzzle platforming requires both critical thinking and technical skill, which presents an unusual balance for a videogame. Depending on the audience that game developers are aiming for, they need to be mindful as to just how challenging the platforming is going to be alongside the puzzles.
