Backtracking Levels

Levels, or parts of levels, that need to be travel through first one way and then back again the same way again.

This pattern is a still a stub.

Examples

The Hard Rain campaigns in Left 4 Dead 2 requires the players to first go through several levels to retrieve gas tanks, and then go back the same way to be picked up by a boat that can take them to safety.

Using the pattern

Check Points

Consequences

Backtracking Levels is a way to make more use of Levels in games. By making players have in effect two Traverse goals

Value of Effort

Varied Gameplay

Quite naturally, Quick Returns are not compatible with Backtracking Levels.

Relations

Can Instantiate

Varied Gameplay

Can Modulate

Levels, Traverse

Can Be Instantiated By

-

Can Be Modulated By

-

Possible Closure Effects

-

Potentially Conflicting With

Quick Returns

History

New pattern for this wiki.

References

<references> <ref name="Bjork & Holopainen 2004">Björk, S. & Holopainen, J. (2004) Patterns in Game Design. Charles River Media. ISBN1-58450-354-8.</ref> </references>