Video game tutorials have come a long way from the hold-your-hand type infuriatingly long sections they once were, and developers are constantly making these introductory levels more fun. After all, players who already know the basics may find gaming lectures boring or tedious.
Fun video game tutorials take a creative approach to teaching players about movement, combat, resource management, and other game mechanics. The best introductory lessons are often ingeniously weaved into the game’s story itself, seamlessly teaching the player the basics while explaining crucial parts of the narrative. Some entertaining tutorials simply thrust the player right into the action, sometimes even throwing in a boss fight just for good measure.
Half-Life
The popular FPS Half-Life follows the story of physicist Gordon Freeman, who accidentally plays a role in unleashing aggressive aliens in the Black Mesa Research Facility. Its tutorial sequence is groundbreaking for its time, taking a unique approach to teaching players how to use the HEV suit, navigate the facility, and take down enemies.
A holographic AI guides players through a training facility where players are taught to jump, climb over obstacles, and shoot weapons. It’s all presented as part of Gordon’s training, who’s late on his first day. To top it all off, players get a full guided tour of the facility through a train car before it’s invaded a few minutes later.
Fallout 3
The impressive and fashionable armor sets, and well-written alternate timeline. These are all in Fallout 3, along with a smart tutorial level that’s actually a crucial part of the main story.
For 19 years, the player spends their time growing up in Vault 101. In the vault, players learn about basic character building through a baby book, how to shoot weapons through a lesson from the father, and even how to respond to dialogue through a kids’ birthday party. It’s a comprehensive and entertaining start to the player’s journey before the protagonist is thrust into the unforgiving landscape of the Capital Wasteland.
Nier: Automata
The RPG Nier: Automata thrusts players in the middle of a proxy war between alien machines and human androids. Its introduction tells players all they need to know about the Nier series and its signature genre-bending sequences.
Its tutorial level doesn’t give players a lot of instructions, starting instead with a top-down view of ships flying over calm waters. One by one, the ships are shot down by a giant laser, and players find themselves surrounded by enemies. The perspective shifts, this time forcing players to avoid obstacles as they navigate a cramped facility. The entire tutorial ends with a fight against a boss with a giant spinning rotor-like arm. It’s an exhilarating start to a thrilling game, and players who die in the tutorial are forced to start from the beginning until they get it right.
Undertale
Undertale is a 2D RPG known for its intuitive combat mechanics, well-written dialogue, and memorable bosses like Undyne. Its weird and wonderful creatures are introduced from the onset, with Flowey the flower quickly morphing from a helpful guide into a terrifying monster.
Thankfully, Toriel, who is actually a boss, comes to the player’s rescue. She takes pity on the helpless child and holds her hand through different rooms, teaching her how to press switches, explaining how puzzles work, and even training her for combat. It’s an odd sequence that makes the tutorial more engaging.
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon is a standalone expansion pack that parodies 80s movies and pop culture. It follows Sergeant Rex in a dystopian future where he must “get the girl, kill the bad guys, and save the world.” It isn’t surprising that its introductory level is a satirical portrayal of tutorials as well.
Sergeant Rex is guided by an automated voice that seems to hate having to teach him what to do. It has hilarious lines like “Press A to demonstrate your ability to read” and “To look around, look around.” At the end of it, Sergeant Rex makes a snide remark on how much he hates tutorials, which is likely what most players felt about those classic '80s game lessons that were always way too long.
Portal 2
Portal 2 follows the story of Chell, who has come out of an “Extended Relaxation Center” after the events of the prequel. The puzzle-platformer immediately starts off with the tutorial, brilliantly masking it as part of a “mandatory physical and mental wellness exercise” for those coming out of suspended animation.
These “gymnastic exercises” are initiated by a buzzer that signals when to look up and down, teaching the player basic movements. Gamers are introduced to the lovable personality core bot, Wheatley, who has a hilarious one-sided dialogue with the protagonist. When he says “Say apple! Aaaapple!” the player jumps instead, which is the game’s subtle way of completing the movement tutorial. The entire level sets the tone for the rest of the game, letting players know they’re going to have a fun time in the dilapidated facility.
Ghost Of Tsushima
things to do in Tsushima, as it’s an expansive and thrilling open world. This is especially evident in the tutorial sequence, which is a massive battle against a Mongol fleet.
The player is thrust right in the center of the action as Jin rides down the hills with hundreds of samurais by his side. Players are taught how to navigate the terrain and eventually how to attack enemies before they’re able to strike Jin down. It’s an epic sequence that immediately shows players that they’re about to start an awesome adventure.
Dead Space 2
A deadly outbreak has just occurred on the space station, Sprawl, and it’s up to Isaac Clarke and other surviving humans to stop the deadly necromorphs. Dead Space 2 starts at the peak of the outbreak, with the protagonist wearing a straitjacket, leaving him no choice but to run for his life as necromorphs ransack the facility and murder people all around him.
It’s a tutorial sequence that thrusts players right into the terrifying story. After running for what seems like an eternity, Isaac is finally freed from his straitjacket by a crew member. He details the final part of the tutorial, teaching the player how to use weapons, right before he takes his own life. Players immediately know what kind of horrors are waiting for them in this game where their companions would rather die than be caught by the necromorphs.
Dark Souls
Set in the unforgiving kingdom of Lordran, difficult bosses in the Dark Souls games, one of whom is immediately introduced in the tutorial.
The tutorial starts out slow with messages occasionally popping up teaching the Undead protagonist how to attack, dash, and recover HP. It quickly escalates when a message that simply says “Get Away!” pops up and a massive Asylum Demon drops from above. Players who didn’t know any better might have battled the overpowered demon for hours, but in this case, the game actually wants players to get away using the nearby door. It’s a brilliant introduction to the game’s combat system, with Dark Souls reminding players that fighting is not always the smartest move.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed revolves around the story of Starkiller, a protagonist with a complicated story. The game starts with a sequence featuring the protagonist’s master, Darth Vader himself.
Darth Vader lands on a war-torn planet and immediately uses the Force to choke a commander. Players are taught basic movement as he walks through a field of dead Wookiees before reaching a wooden gate. The game then instructs players to use the Force before Darth Vader annihilates the Wookiees with his lightsaber. It’s a brilliant introduction that showcases the potential of the Force and the turmoil that was the beginning of the Galactic Civil War.