I Wanna Be the Guy is a simple game and easy to learn. It does not require a lot of effort to understand. The movement of this game is only left, right, and jump (shift). When the game first starts, the music and visual representation of the game give a joyful and simple dynamic, kind of like Mario. However, it is actually very different. This game is extremely challenging, and the contrast makes it really fun.
At the beginning of the game, the player controls a small character it spawns at the left side, and facing right.On the right side, there are apple tree. So I assumed that the goal was to move the character to the right, and my bias made me think that apples are harmless. So I moved right, jumped onto the steps, and then an apple from the tree suddenly fell down and killed me. A big “Game Over” appeared. It created a totally different dynamic than I initially assumed.
The game constantly punishes player assumptions and forces players to learn. For example, you might jump onto a trigger point and then immediately move back to avoid a trap. Another example is at the start of the game, you assume you will move right, but after you try hundreds of times to die on the right side, you realize you should move to the left instead. We must carefully test the environment, memorize trap locations, and react quickly to survive. These dynamics produce a strong challenge aesthetic and an abnegation (submission) aesthetic. Time can slip away very easily while playing. The contrast between the visuals, joyful music, and the difficulty makes the game engaging.
