{"schemaVersion":1,"record":{"key":"mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-02","type":"mechanic","id":"metroidvania--family-group-02","lang":"en","title":"Access conditions and obstacles","summary":"A barrier tests an ability, state or piece of knowledge needed to access a new area.","updatedAt":"2026-10-22","status":"active","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-02/","jsonUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-02.json","markdownUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-02.md","aliases":[],"tags":["Metroidvanias","Access rules"],"sourceIds":["source-f8d32a9ed584ed8f"],"sources":[{"id":"source-f8d32a9ed584ed8f","title":"Axiom Verge","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/332200/","verifiedAt":null}],"sections":[{"id":"principle","title":"How it works","body":"Obstacles test the ability, condition, or knowledge required to access a new area."},{"id":"variants","title":"Variants","body":"### Variants and applications\n\n<a id=\"family-group-02-variants\"></a>\n\n- Ability check, ability gate. Rule: An obstacle can only be overcome after receiving a certain action. <a id=\"variant-mv-011\"></a>\n- Checking range or altitude. Rule: The route requires the required jump, dash or flight distance. <a id=\"variant-mv-012\"></a>\n- Checking a weapon or element. Rule: The door and material react to a specific attack, damage type, or element. <a id=\"variant-mv-013\"></a>\n- Checking the size or shape. Rule: Only a small, flat, ghostly or otherwise suitable body is allowed through. <a id=\"variant-mv-014\"></a>\n- Environment protection check. Rule: A dangerous area can be safely passed after gaining stability. <a id=\"variant-mv-015\"></a>\n- Key, pass or password. Rule: The right of passage is determined by an object or a known combination. <a id=\"variant-mv-016\"></a>\n- Victory over the enemy. Rule: Access is granted after defeating a boss or clearing a given threat. <a id=\"variant-mv-017\"></a>\n- Story or world condition. Rule: The door depends on the task, the working device or the state of the world. <a id=\"variant-mv-018\"></a>\n- Skill check, skill gate. Rule: The hero's actions are sufficient, but the route requires mastered execution... <a id=\"variant-mv-019\"></a>\n- Knowledge check, knowledge gate. Rule: The player needs to understand an already existing rule, hidden application or pattern. <a id=\"variant-mv-020\"></a>\n- Soft restriction, soft gate. Rule: Damage, lack of resources or the strength of enemies make the path difficult, but do not completely prohibit it. <a id=\"variant-mv-021\"></a>\n- Composite condition. Rule: For one pass you need several abilities, items or conditions at the same time. <a id=\"variant-mv-022\"></a>\n- Alternative terms. Rule: One obstacle allows for several different ways to overcome... <a id=\"variant-mv-023\"></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-02","title":"Metroidvanias","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/metroidvania/#family-group-02","categoryIds":["section-2"]}],"supersededBy":[],"attributes":{"preview":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-22","title":"Access conditions and obstacles","description":"A barrier tests an ability, state or piece of knowledge needed to access a new area.","image":{"src":"images/mechanics/systems-axiom-verge-05.webp","width":1440,"height":810,"game":"Axiom Verge","sourceUrl":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/332200/","originalUrl":"https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/332200/ss_967afb29b7e117b08b931c850251daba3da86df9.1920x1080.jpg?t=1645563574","credit":"Thomas Happ Games LLC / Thomas Happ Games LLC","rights":"© Thomas Happ Games LLC / Thomas Happ Games LLC. All rights reserved.","caption":"A vertical barrier blocks the passage","alt":"A vertical barrier blocks the passage","markers":[{"x":78,"y":64,"label":"The blocked passage requires an appropriate way through"}]},"tips":["Show why access is blocked and allow the player to return later."],"examples":[{"title":"Axiom Verge","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/332200/"}]}},"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"}}