---
key: mechanic/roguelike--family-09
type: mechanic
id: roguelike--family-09
lang: en
title: Movement and spatial restrictions
summary: >-
  Jumps, ladders and traversal tools determine reachable positions and the cost
  of moving through a level.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/roguelike--family-09/'
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/roguelike--family-09.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/roguelike--family-09.md
aliases: []
tags:
  - Roguelikes and roguelites
  - Mechanics catalog
sourceIds:
  - source-8acd296040247f95
sources:
  - id: source-8acd296040247f95
    title: Spelunky
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/239350/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: roguelike
    id: family-09
    title: Roguelikes and roguelites
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/roguelike/#family-09'
    categoryIds:
      - section-1
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Movement and spatial restrictions
    description: >-
      Jumps, ladders and traversal tools determine reachable positions and the
      cost of moving through a level.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/spelunky-rope.webp
      width: 1280
      height: 720
      crop:
        x: 400
        'y': 0
        width: 700
        height: 720
      game: Spelunky
      sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/239350/'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/239350/ss_1fa00992272eea478c750d925c9eda920fa760a8.1920x1080.jpg?t=1632912566
      credit: Mossmouth
      rights: © Mossmouth. All rights reserved.
      caption: A rope opens a vertical route
      alt: >-
        Spelunky: the explorer clings to a rope above a dangerous altar while
        carrying another character.
      markers:
        - x: 50
          'y': 52
          label: Explorer holding the rope
        - x: 50
          'y': 20
          label: Anchor above the drop
    tips:
      - Show which routes require a consumable traversal tool.
    examples:
      - title: Spelunky
        url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/239350/'
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/roguelike
---
# Movement and spatial restrictions

id: roguelike--family-09
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/roguelike--family-09
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/roguelike--family-09/

Jumps, ladders and traversal tools determine reachable positions and the cost of moving through a level.

## At a glance

![Spelunky: the explorer clings to a rope above a dangerous altar while carrying another character.](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/spelunky-rope.webp)

[Spelunky](https://store.steampowered.com/app/239350/) · © Mossmouth. All rights reserved.

1. Explorer holding the rope
2. Anchor above the drop

- Show which routes require a consumable traversal tool.

- [Spelunky](https://store.steampowered.com/app/239350/)

## How it works

The modes of movement and the geometry of space determine the achievable positions and the cost of movement.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-09-variants"></a>

- Movement across cells <a id="variant-roguelike-09-01"></a>
- Free movement <a id="variant-roguelike-09-02"></a>
- Different rules for diagonal movement <a id="variant-roguelike-09-03"></a>
- Occupying cells and blocking passages with creatures <a id="variant-roguelike-09-04"></a>
- Jerk <a id="variant-roguelike-09-05"></a>
- Roll <a id="variant-roguelike-09-06"></a>
- Jump and double jump <a id="variant-roguelike-09-07"></a>
- Flight, levitation and hovering <a id="variant-roguelike-09-08"></a>
- Teleportation <a id="variant-roguelike-09-09"></a>
- Hook and surface pull <a id="variant-roguelike-09-10"></a>
- Climbing and moving along walls <a id="variant-roguelike-09-11"></a>
- Swimming and diving <a id="variant-roguelike-09-12"></a>
- Traveling by vehicle or on horseback <a id="variant-roguelike-09-13"></a>
- Inertia and slip <a id="variant-roguelike-09-14"></a>
- Move through enemies or obstacles <a id="variant-roguelike-09-15"></a>
- Changing the speed and cost of movement on different surfaces <a id="variant-roguelike-09-16"></a>

## Context and limits

A wide author's map of classic turn-based roguelikes, modern roguelites and hybrids. Families describe options for organizing a run, and not mandatory features of the genre. Constant metaprogression is not found in all roguelikes. Related systems can be combined; the list is not a closed standard.

## 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.

- [Spelunky](https://store.steampowered.com/app/239350/) (id: source-8acd296040247f95)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors