---
key: mechanic/movement-platforming--t005
type: mechanic
id: movement-platforming--t005
lang: en
title: Parkour and obstacle traversal
summary: >-
The player links jumps and other moves into a route through the environment.
Readable footholds support momentum and safe trajectory choices.
updatedAt: '2026-10-21'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/movement-platforming--t005/'
jsonUrl: >-
https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/movement-platforming--t005.json
markdownUrl: >-
https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/movement-platforming--t005.md
aliases:
- Parkour and traversal
tags:
- Movement and platforming
- Mechanics and variants
sourceIds:
- source-b8626268f7974a44
- source-ad5935e19b434514
- source-8b181715b5c89953
- source-6d034345094b033d
sources:
- id: source-b8626268f7974a44
title: 'Godot: 2D movement overview'
url: 'https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/tutorials/2d/2d_movement.html'
verifiedAt: null
- id: source-ad5935e19b434514
title: 'Maddy Thorson: Celeste & TowerFall Physics'
url: >-
https://www.mattmakesgames.com/articles/celeste_and_towerfall_physics/index.html
verifiedAt: null
- id: source-8b181715b5c89953
title: 'Godot: CharacterBody3D'
url: 'https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/classes/class_characterbody3d.html'
verifiedAt: null
- id: source-6d034345094b033d
title: Rise of the Tomb Raider
url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/391220/'
verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
- catalogId: movement-platforming
id: t005
title: Movement and platforming
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/movement-platforming/#t005'
categoryIds:
- mechanics
supersededBy: []
attributes:
preview:
updatedAt: '2026-10-21'
title: Parkour and traversal
description: >-
The player links jumps and other moves into a route through the
environment. Readable footholds support momentum and safe trajectory
choices.
image:
src: images/mechanics/tomb-raider-jump.webp
width: 1440
height: 810
game: Rise of the Tomb Raider
sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/391220/'
originalUrl: >-
https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/391220/ss_749f99146e5ebad371e37d95bfab7b17847c1d81.1920x1080.jpg?t=1766187095
credit: Crystal Dynamics / Eidos-Montréal
rights: © 2015 Crystal Dynamics group of companies. All rights reserved.
caption: A route through a ruined structure
alt: >-
Rise of the Tomb Raider: Lara crosses a gap between stone supports in a
ruined structure.
markers:
- x: 32
'y': 49
label: The route continues across the gap
- x: 84
'y': 37
label: Traversal between footholds
tips:
- Use consistent visual cues for traversal surfaces.
- Maintain control when transitioning between moves.
examples:
- title: Rise of the Tomb Raider
url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/391220/'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
Original bilingual editorial overviews authored for gamemechanics.pro on
2026-10-20 and reviewed on 2026-10-21. Scenarios are hypothetical design
examples; prototype checks describe work to perform, not completed playtests.
Primary sources support the stated techniques and implementation context, not
every proposed variant.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/movement-platforming
---
# Parkour and obstacle traversal
id: movement-platforming--t005
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/movement-platforming--t005
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/movement-platforming--t005/
The player links jumps and other moves into a route through the environment. Readable footholds support momentum and safe trajectory choices.
## At a glance
[Rise of the Tomb Raider](https://store.steampowered.com/app/391220/) · © 2015 Crystal Dynamics group of companies. All rights reserved.
1. The route continues across the gap
2. Traversal between footholds
- Use consistent visual cues for traversal surfaces.
- Maintain control when transitioning between moves.
- [Rise of the Tomb Raider](https://store.steampowered.com/app/391220/)
## How it works
The player reads obstacle geometry and chains traversal techniques, maintaining motion through a sequence of contact points.
## Variants
### Mechanic variants
- Vaulting: obstacle height and free space determine whether traversal is possible.
- Wall running: contact maintains special motion until speed or usable surface runs out.
- Sliding under obstacles: a low stance trades steering control for retained momentum.
- Contact chaining: a successful action permits an immediate transition into the next.
## Design example
A character vaults a fence, slides beneath a beam and uses a wall to reach the next roof.
Prototype check: Repeat the chain slowly and quickly; unavailable actions should be explained by geometry or state rather than guessing an input.
## Context and limits
Movement connects input, trajectory and accessible space. Players assess support, speed and remaining abilities, choose an action and correct their motion through feedback. These ten directions range from flat platforming to underwater movement. A first prototype needs only a few surfaces and one distinctive rule; the camera, collisions and return of control should explain success or failure. Godot documentation provides implementation examples, while the Celeste and TowerFall author describes one approach to movement and platforms; these choices are not mandatory in every engine.
## Connected materials
## Sources and provenance
Original bilingual editorial overviews authored for gamemechanics.pro on 2026-10-20 and reviewed on 2026-10-21. Scenarios are hypothetical design examples; prototype checks describe work to perform, not completed playtests. Primary sources support the stated techniques and implementation context, not every proposed variant.
- [Godot: 2D movement overview](https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/tutorials/2d/2d_movement.html) (id: source-b8626268f7974a44)
- [Maddy Thorson: Celeste & TowerFall Physics](https://www.mattmakesgames.com/articles/celeste_and_towerfall_physics/index.html) (id: source-ad5935e19b434514)
- [Godot: CharacterBody3D](https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/classes/class_characterbody3d.html) (id: source-8b181715b5c89953)
- [Rise of the Tomb Raider](https://store.steampowered.com/app/391220/) (id: source-6d034345094b033d)
CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors