--- 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 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 --- # Map and orientation id: metroidvania--family-group-19 type: mechanic key: mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-19 lang: en status: active url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/metroidvania--family-group-19/ A map connects rooms, passages and landmarks. The player compares their position with known routes and chooses where to return or explore next. ## At a glance ![Hollow Knight: a translucent Fungal Wastes map shows rooms, the player marker and exits to neighboring regions.](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 - Match map symbols to recognizable landmarks in the world. - Help players find unfinished routes without revealing every secret. - [Hollow Knight](https://store.steampowered.com/app/367520/Hollow_Knight/) ## How it works The map and landmarks help you remember the connections between areas and find unfinished tasks. ## Variants ### Variants and applications - Opening the map when exploring. Rule: Visited areas gradually fill the world map. - Buy or search for a map of the area. Rule: Access to the general scheme is separated from direct research. - Conditions for displaying a position. Rule: A compass or other instrument determines the visibility of the hero on the map. - Updating the map at the rest point. Rule: The diagram of the visited space is saved or supplemented at a given location. - Custom labels. Rule: The player marks secrets, goals and passages not yet accessible. - A snapshot of a place on a map. Rule: The image of an obstacle helps to remember the task when returning... - Designation of types of obstacles. Rule: The card links the passage to the desired ability or interaction. - Showing exits that have not yet been explored. Rule: A separate designation helps to find available areas of research. - Percentage of research and items found. Rule: Summary shows the remaining search volume by area. - Hint for next direction. Rule: A character, interface, or device directs the player to a possible goal. - Spatial landmarks. Rule: Memorized objects and sound cues help to recognize a place without a map. ## 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