Tutorials are often the least engaging part of a video game, as they take players through the basic movements needed to succeed and teach about the game’s basic mechanics. Some can be dull at best while being an obstacle to even wanting to play at worst, and if the tutorial fails to engage the player, they are less likely to continue. This isnot true of all tutorials, as some are more unusual and give players more agency. These more unusual offerings are often a lot more enjoyable than typical tutorials.
Bioshock Infiniteis an unusual game in and of itself, with many players adoring the first hour or so of gameplay while finding the rest of it to be lacking. The tutorial section, though, only adds to that label as it isn’t an official tutorial. Players can go to the fairground and explore the stalls to find out what the vigors do, for example, or what a Voxophone is.
All of this fits neatly into the setting without feeling out of place, as some tutorials do.Bioshock Infiniteoffers no handholding in the game. Instead, it relies on players exploring the city of Columbia to discover the mechanics.
Just Cause 2has a tutorial which introduces players to the lawless country of Panau without offering text boxes with instructions as many tutorials do. The opening mission, Welcome To Panau, takes players through gameplay elements without explaining what they are or how to use them. The game itself relies on player instincts, so it makes sense that the tutorial would follow this.
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Just Cause 2takes an action-focused view on tutorials, and it works well for a game about causing as much chaos as possible.
When discussingHalf-Life 2,players are likely to think about the famous “pick up that can” quote. This simple line serves as a tutorial for one of the game’s best aspects, which also puts itahead of its time: the choices. Players can go about this instruction in three ways: either do as their guide says, run away, or pick up the can and throw it at the guide. None of these are illustrated to players.Half-Life 2has invisible tutorials scattered throughout the game, but this one is unusual and brilliant in its execution.
Dark Soulsis often called one of themost difficultgaming franchises ever, and for good reason. The tutorial in the first game in the series is a clear example of why that is. Players are lulled into a false sense of security with easy enemies, which isn’t unusual for tutorials. However, the moment they light the first bonfire, players face the Asylum Demon.Dark Soulsleads players to believe that maybe this game won’t be as difficult as they’ve heard before they are slammed with reality.
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wildis lauded for having the best tutorial in gaming. The Great Plateau teaches players everything they need to know about the game and how it works without telling players what to do. There is a goal: players need to find the shrines. But, other than this, it relies on exploration and curiosity.Breath Of The Wildallows players to discovergame mechanics for themselves in the tutorial, which is an unusual approach that has proved effective.
Most tutorials take players through the basics of a game at a slow pace with low stakes.Uncharted 2: Among Thievestakes a different approach, as it thrusts players into a life-or-death scenario. Nathan Drake wakes up with a gunshot wound, and even worse,he’s on a trainwhich is hanging off a cliff. The stakes couldn’t be higher; the rest of the game cannot happen if players don’t survive this.Uncharted 2: Among Thievesopens intensely, which represents the rest of the game well.
Undertaleopens with a smiling flower offering the player friendship pellets. Of course, these friendship pellets are actually deadly bullets, andthe flower is evil. This tutorial showcases how the game works before the player gets saved by Torel, and then the full tutorial begins as players are guided through the first section of the game.Undertalemakes players question everything they see from the first instance and introduces players to the genocide route without being clear about that at this stage in the game.
Skate 3has a delightful tutorial, especially on the first playthrough. Players are introduced to the mechanics ofSkate 3through Coach Frank, who yells slogans and takes no nonsense from the player. Players can go back and play this level afterwards, and Coach Frank will give hints and tips throughout the game on loading screens and on pop-ups. The tutorial inSkate 3is not unconventional, but the guide makes it unusual as he is not the helpful tutorial guide players are used to.
Fallout 3offers a lengthy tutorial, but not in the way that players expect. Players begin from the moment of their character’s birth and grow to become a young adult, guided by the character’s father. From choosing the SPECIAL attributes to taking a quiz to decide the character’s future, this tutorial builds a life for the player. This makes it more heartbreaking when it’s ripped away as the main game begins.
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Fallout 3crafts a backstory for the player, which works as an unconventional tutorial while also giving their character a deeper motivation for the rest of the game.
Portal 2has one of the best tutorial levels in any game, but it is unusual. Players begin by looking at art and having classical music played before they fall asleep and wake up yearsin the future. Wheatley guides the player through this world, learning how to use the portal gun and how to move. What makes this unusual is how enjoyable it is despite players going through the motions.Portal 2makes learning how to jump fun because of the comedy woven into the tutorial.
