When Video Games Defy ‘Gamer Logic’

Lots of video games strive to look like the real world, but they still follow their own distinct rules. Every person and thing has been designed specifically for you, the player. So it can be pretty jarring—and cool—when a game throws that out the window.

Generally speaking, if a video-game character asks you to do something “and hurry about it,” you actually have all the time in the world. Take a day; heck, take two! Things will carry on when you’re done. Similarly, when a platform starts to crumble from under your character’s feet, it’s fine. Don’t worry! It’s only doing that because he touched it. You’ll always have enough time to jump to the next platform before you fall.

After decades of playing video games, we’re conditioned to expect this sort of stuff, which makes it all the more remarkable when a game defies those expectations. I liked this short video by Ryan Kinsman (via r/games) that explores a couple examples of when video games surprised him by applying logic closer to that of the real world.

I moved fast enough in Human Revolution to avoid getting the hostages killed, but I would’ve been pret-ty salty if I hadn’t. It wasn’t exactly “fair play,” but it was definitely memorable.