{"schemaVersion":1,"record":{"key":"mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-19","type":"mechanic","id":"metroidvania--family-group-19","lang":"en","title":"Map and orientation","summary":"A map connects rooms, passages and landmarks. The player compares their position with known routes and chooses where to return or explore next.","updatedAt":"2026-10-21","status":"active","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-19/","jsonUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-19.json","markdownUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-19.md","aliases":["Maps and navigation"],"tags":["Metroidvanias","Study"],"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":"The map and landmarks help you remember the connections between areas and find unfinished tasks."},{"id":"variants","title":"Variants","body":"### Variants and applications\n\n<a id=\"family-group-19-variants\"></a>\n\n- Opening the map when exploring. Rule: Visited areas gradually fill the world map. <a id=\"variant-mv-209\"></a>\n- Buy or search for a map of the area. Rule: Access to the general scheme is separated from direct research. <a id=\"variant-mv-210\"></a>\n- Conditions for displaying a position. Rule: A compass or other instrument determines the visibility of the hero on the map. <a id=\"variant-mv-211\"></a>\n- Updating the map at the rest point. Rule: The diagram of the visited space is saved or supplemented at a given location. <a id=\"variant-mv-212\"></a>\n- Custom labels. Rule: The player marks secrets, goals and passages not yet accessible. <a id=\"variant-mv-213\"></a>\n- A snapshot of a place on a map. Rule: The image of an obstacle helps to remember the task when returning... <a id=\"variant-mv-214\"></a>\n- Designation of types of obstacles. Rule: The card links the passage to the desired ability or interaction. <a id=\"variant-mv-215\"></a>\n- Showing exits that have not yet been explored. Rule: A separate designation helps to find available areas of research. <a id=\"variant-mv-216\"></a>\n- Percentage of research and items found. Rule: Summary shows the remaining search volume by area. <a id=\"variant-mv-217\"></a>\n- Hint for next direction. Rule: A character, interface, or device directs the player to a possible goal. <a id=\"variant-mv-218\"></a>\n- Spatial landmarks. Rule: Memorized objects and sound cues help to recognize a place without a map. <a id=\"variant-mv-219\"></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-19","title":"Metroidvanias","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/metroidvania/#family-group-19","categoryIds":["section-6"]}],"supersededBy":[],"attributes":{"preview":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-21","title":"Maps and navigation","description":"A map connects rooms, passages and landmarks. The player compares their position with known routes and chooses where to return or explore next.","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":"Connected rooms and exits to neighboring regions","alt":"Hollow Knight: a translucent Fungal Wastes map shows rooms, the player marker and exits to neighboring regions.","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":["Match map symbols to recognizable landmarks in the world.","Help players find unfinished routes without revealing every secret."],"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"}}