---
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
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
---
# Structure of the world and routes

id: metroidvania--family-group-01
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-01
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-01/

Connected areas, forks and shortcuts create a network for exploration and return visits.

## At a glance

![The map shows connections between Hollow Knight areas](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/hollow-knight-map.webp)

[Hollow Knight](https://store.steampowered.com/app/367520/Hollow_Knight/) · © Team Cherry. All rights reserved.

1. The marker connects the current position to the map
2. A labeled exit leads to a neighboring region

- Make shortcuts recognisable from both directions.

- [Hollow Knight](https://store.steampowered.com/app/367520/Hollow_Knight/)

## How it works

Area connections, forks and shortcuts form the space for returning and choosing a route.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-group-01-variants"></a>

- Connected world. Rule: Areas are connected by transitions, and reached places retain spatial connections. <a id="variant-mv-001"></a>
- Branched passage. Rule: The player chooses between several available directions and goals. <a id="variant-mv-002"></a>
- Hub and branches. Rule: The central area links exploration routes and return points. <a id="variant-mv-003"></a>
- Loops and cuts. Rule: A later opened passage shortens a previously long path. <a id="variant-mv-004"></a>
- Vertical connections. Rule: Mines, wells and multi-story rooms connect different levels of the world. <a id="variant-mv-005"></a>
- One-way transitions. Rule: Falling or slamming a door temporarily changes the available paths. <a id="variant-mv-006"></a>
- Returning with a new ability. Rule: A familiar area offers new passages and tasks after strengthening the hero. <a id="variant-mv-007"></a>
- Several paths to the goal. Rule: Different abilities, risks or sequences of actions lead to one area. <a id="variant-mv-008"></a>
- Changing the topology of the world. Rule: An event destroys, floods, or rearranges existing connections between areas. <a id="variant-mv-009"></a>
- 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>

## Context and limits

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.

## Connected materials


## Sources and 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.

- [Hollow Knight](https://store.steampowered.com/app/367520/Hollow_Knight/) (id: source-1696c3167e4356ed)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors