{"schemaVersion":1,"record":{"key":"mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-01","type":"mechanic","id":"metroidvania--family-group-01","lang":"en","title":"Structure of the world and routes","summary":"Connected areas, forks and shortcuts create a network for exploration and return visits.","updatedAt":"2026-10-22","status":"active","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-01/","jsonUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-01.json","markdownUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-01.md","aliases":[],"tags":["Metroidvanias","Structure"],"sourceIds":["source-1696c3167e4356ed"],"sources":[{"id":"source-1696c3167e4356ed","title":"Hollow Knight","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/367520/Hollow_Knight/","verifiedAt":null}],"sections":[{"id":"principle","title":"How it works","body":"Area connections, forks and shortcuts form the space for returning and choosing a route."},{"id":"variants","title":"Variants","body":"### Variants and applications\n\n<a id=\"family-group-01-variants\"></a>\n\n- Connected world. Rule: Areas are connected by transitions, and reached places retain spatial connections. <a id=\"variant-mv-001\"></a>\n- Branched passage. Rule: The player chooses between several available directions and goals. <a id=\"variant-mv-002\"></a>\n- Hub and branches. Rule: The central area links exploration routes and return points. <a id=\"variant-mv-003\"></a>\n- Loops and cuts. Rule: A later opened passage shortens a previously long path. <a id=\"variant-mv-004\"></a>\n- Vertical connections. Rule: Mines, wells and multi-story rooms connect different levels of the world. <a id=\"variant-mv-005\"></a>\n- One-way transitions. Rule: Falling or slamming a door temporarily changes the available paths. <a id=\"variant-mv-006\"></a>\n- Returning with a new ability. Rule: A familiar area offers new passages and tasks after strengthening the hero. <a id=\"variant-mv-007\"></a>\n- Several paths to the goal. Rule: Different abilities, risks or sequences of actions lead to one area. <a id=\"variant-mv-008\"></a>\n- Changing the topology of the world. Rule: An event destroys, floods, or rearranges existing connections between areas. <a id=\"variant-mv-009\"></a>\n- Violation of the expected order, sequence breaking. Rule: Knowledge, skill, or a combination of abilities allows you to enter a later area earlier. <a id=\"variant-mv-010\"></a>"},{"id":"context","title":"Context and limits","body":"The author's working taxonomy of mechanics, access rules, structural patterns and support systems. This is not an industry standard or a statement that every item is required or present in every game. Hybrids and support are highlighted separately. Any finite list is limited by the level of detail; combinations and new options remain open."}],"relations":[],"placements":[{"catalogId":"metroidvania","id":"family-group-01","title":"Metroidvanias","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/metroidvania/#family-group-01","categoryIds":["section-1"]}],"supersededBy":[],"attributes":{"preview":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-22","title":"Structure of the world and routes","description":"Connected areas, forks and shortcuts create a network for exploration and return visits.","image":{"src":"images/mechanics/hollow-knight-map.webp","width":1440,"height":810,"crop":{"x":323,"y":128,"width":825,"height":585},"game":"Hollow Knight","sourceUrl":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/367520/Hollow_Knight/","originalUrl":"https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/367520/ss_bd76bd88bc5334ee56ae3d5f0d8dec4455e8e3b8.1920x1080.jpg?t=1776125684","credit":"Team Cherry","rights":"© Team Cherry. All rights reserved.","caption":"The map shows connections between Hollow Knight areas","alt":"The map shows connections between Hollow Knight areas","markers":[{"x":46,"y":70,"label":"The marker connects the current position to the map"},{"x":72,"y":55,"label":"A labeled exit leads to a neighboring region"}]},"tips":["Make shortcuts recognisable from both directions."],"examples":[{"title":"Hollow Knight","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/367520/Hollow_Knight/"}]}},"endsAt":null,"provenance":"Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.","license":"CC-BY-4.0","codeLicense":"MIT","attribution":"gamemechanics.pro contributors","catalogKey":"catalog/metroidvania"}}