#4 - Bad Camera, Bad Game

I have the perception that the average video game user doesn't appreciate the camera. However, when it fails or is poorly executed, they'll definitely notice. I believe the camera can convey so much in a video game. It can communicate tension, frenetic action, a desire to explore, or even make us abandon a game.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

You've already seen that the game uses a "top-down" or "bird's-eye view" camera. But why is this camera type so common, and what's its purpose?

For our particular case, the purpose is exploration. Many genres use this type of view for their own reasons. In games like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past or Pokémon, the top-down view simplifies navigation and puzzle-solving. Players can easily see paths, obstacles, and interactive objects.

Specifically, I really liked the camera used in the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening.

If you look closely, you'll see that the camera's center point is always positioned ahead of the player. This is to give you a better view of the environment, let you anticipate dangers, get a better sense of the path ahead, and help you solve puzzles, much like what you see in many Zelda games.

Monkey See, Monkey  Trying to Do

This is what I came up with, inspired by our previous conversation:

Thanks for read me.

Ruu.