The Best Games with Physics in Gameplay, from Half-Life 2 to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Contents:

• What is special about Nintendo's or Rockstar's approach to game physics?
• Why do games need systemic physics?
• How systemic physics works in games?

Physics is not only ordinary school lessons, but also the basis on which The gameplay of most video games is based on physics. The laws of physics help create realistic interactions between objects, making gameplay more engaging and exciting. Understanding physical principles allows developers to create dynamic and engaging game worlds where movement, collisions, and interactions appear natural and believable. As a result, physics has become an important tool in video game development, introducing elements of realism and innovation.

The simulation of physical phenomena, even in its simplest form, was established in the first Mario Bros. game, where characters were affected by gravity. Modern technologies designed to simulate various properties of game objects are widely used in most video games. These technologies allow for more realistic physics, which significantly improves gameplay and increases player engagement. As a result, modern games offer deeper immersion into the game world, where every action has its consequences, and interaction with the environment becomes more tangible.

Ragdoll physics in Rockstar games demonstrates the amazing possibilities in simulating character movement. In Battlefield, players can destroy buildings, adding an element of realism and interactivity to the gameplay. The Gran Turismo series is known for its authentic sports car simulations, making it appealing to car enthusiasts and gamers alike. Physics engines also play a vital role in interactive films, such as Detroit: Become Human, where they facilitate the work of modelers, animators, and effects artists, allowing for more believable and immersive scenes. In this article, we will examine games in which knowledge of the laws of physics plays a crucial role in understanding the game mechanics. How do they differ from titles like Grand Theft Auto or racing simulators? The answer to this question can be found in the design of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the latest game in this renowned series. This game demonstrates how the laws of physics can be integrated into gameplay, creating unique opportunities for problem-solving and interaction with the world.

What's unique about Nintendo or Rockstar's approach to game physics?

To fully unlock the map in Breath of the Wild, you must activate 15 towers located throughout the kingdom of Hyrule. One of these towers is surrounded by spiky spikes that damage Link and push him away if he tries to walk directly past them. To successfully activate this tower, the player must find alternative paths or use special abilities to avoid damage.

If you have explosive arrows, the task is significantly easier - just shoot the spikes and watch as the fire destroys them. However, there is an alternative way to solve this puzzle. You can chop wood, mine flint in the surrounding mountains, make a fire, light a regular arrow, and then shoot it into the thicket. This approach will also cope effectively with the task.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild uses the Havok physics engine, similar to the military shooter Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019). However, these games utilize physics very differently, highlighting the unique gameplay of both titles. Breath of the Wild emphasizes open-world exploration and environmental interaction, while Call of Duty: Modern Warfare focuses on dynamic gunplay and tactical elements. This difference in the use of the Havok physics engine allows each game to create its own unique player experience.

Infinity Ward's game utilizes advanced engine algorithms that provide realistic simulation of ragdoll physics and destruction. Modern Warfare's gameplay adheres to the series' traditions, remaining a linear military action game where the primary means of resolving conflicts is shooting at enemies. This dynamic draws players in, creating exciting moments and tense battles, making the game interesting and engaging for fans of the genre.

The latest Zelda game is a unique project in which Nintendo uses the Havok engine to develop a systems game. This project places an emphasis on the interaction of various game mechanics, which allows for a rich and engaging gameplay experience. Players can expect innovative solutions and deep integration of gameplay elements, making this part of Zelda especially interesting and multifaceted.

Alessia Leydecker, former game director of the popular Assassin's Creed series, suggests presenting the gameplay in the LEGO format. She sees the opportunity to combine various gameplay elements into a unified whole, which can open up new horizons for innovative design and gameplay interaction. This approach can not only change players' perceptions of traditional mechanics but also inspire developers to create unique game worlds with construction elements.

Systems in a game implies the interconnectedness of all game systems. Each system is designed and planned with the impact it has on other systems in mind. This creates a holistic gameplay experience, where changes to one system can impact others, making the game more dynamic and engaging. It is important for players to feel like their actions have consequences, and this is only possible when all game elements are clearly interconnected.

Alessia Leydecker, the renowned game director of Assassin’s Creed 3 and Assassin’s Creed: Unity, has made a significant contribution to the development of the series. Her work at Ubisoft helped create unique gameplay mechanics and engaging stories that have attracted millions of players worldwide. Under Leydecker’s leadership, the games have become more profound and sophisticated, helping to cement the franchise’s popularity. Assassin’s Creed 3 and Unity brought new elements to gameplay and visuals, making them landmark in the history of the gaming industry.

Over the past fifteen years, numerous projects have been released with systemic gameplay, including games whose gameplay is designed with the laws of physics in mind. These laws are sometimes interpreted rather loosely, but they still play a vital role in creating an engaging gaming experience. Games that integrate physics into their mechanics offer players unique challenges and opportunities to interact with the world around them, making gameplay more realistic and engaging.

In the Far Cry series, starting with the second game, players can set enemy camps on fire with a Molotov cocktail, adding elements of strategy and tactics. In the colonist simulator RimWorld, there is a risk of accidentally setting a camp on fire due to a lightning strike, creating additional challenges for survival. The roguelike Spelunky offers an interesting mechanic where you can roast a turkey by hitting a live bird with a torch, demonstrating a creative approach to interacting with the world around you. In Minecraft, streams of water can extinguish lava, emphasizing the deep connection between the game's elements and their physical properties. These examples show how game designers use fire and its interactions with other elements in games to create unique game mechanics and situations.

Mark Brown, host of the YouTube channel Game Maker's Toolkit, explains that game mechanics in systemic games function through the ability of game objects to react to player actions and interactions with other objects. These reactions occur according to predefined rules, creating engaging and dynamic gameplay. Understanding these mechanisms allows developers to create deeper and more interesting game worlds where every action has consequences.

In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild, rain makes wall surfaces slippery, making climbing difficult. However, the sound of rain also helps disguise your steps as you seek to approach an enemy undetected. This interaction of weather conditions and gameplay mechanics adds a depth of strategy and tactics to exploration of the game's world.

The game differs significantly from Red Dead Redemption 2, which uses the Euphoria physics engine. This engine provides realistic animation of character movements, animals, clothing, as well as water and smoke effects. However, it's worth noting that these visual elements don't significantly impact gameplay.

In Breath of the Wild, ambient physics plays a key role in gameplay, forming the basis for systemic interactions. This innovation from Nintendo has no analogues in the company's previous games and demonstrates a desire to return to the nonlinearity and freedom inherent in the first parts of the series. Players can explore the world, using the laws of physics to solve problems, which opens up new horizons for creativity and strategy.

Why do we need systemic physics in games?

The developers of Zelda were not the first to use physical models in gameplay. Fifteen years earlier, the creators of another legendary franchise, Half-Life, solved a similar problem. This game was a significant step in the development of interactive physics in video games, introducing realistic object interactions that influenced many subsequent projects, including Zelda.

In the summer of 1999, the Valve team held a meeting to discuss concepts for a sequel to the first part of the legendary Half-Life game. Within a few weeks, the developers came to the conclusion that the second part needed to create a more realistic and interactive game world, as well as characters capable of interacting with the environment. This decision became the basis for the development of Half-Life 2, which significantly expanded the boundaries of the genre and set new standards in the gaming industry.

In the past, interaction with the game environment was limited to simple actions, such as flushing a toilet or getting a can of Coke from a vending machine. Jeff Keeley, in his account of the development of Half-Life 2, noted that the Valve team strove to create a more interactive and living game world. They set themselves the goal of not only improving the player's interaction with the environment, but also making every detail of the game meaningful and engaging. This innovative approach opened new horizons in game design and greatly influenced the development of the genre, setting a new standard for future projects.

VPhysics is an advanced version of the Havok engine, integrated into the Source game engine. It significantly improves physics simulation in the game world, allowing for the correct consideration of parameters such as mass, gravity, friction, air resistance, inertia, and buoyancy of objects. With VPhysics, game developers can create more realistic interactions between objects, enriching the gaming experience and increasing player immersion.

Half-Life 2 in its final form certainly deviates from the concept of a system game, as it features a linear structure and scripted elements. However, the meticulous development of gameplay with an emphasis on physics gave the game several significant advantages. Innovative mechanics for interacting with the world around you, realistic object physics, and thoughtful level design create a unique gaming experience that continues to captivate players.

"Games offer the opportunity to become a driving force in their world and influence it," Gabe Newell told Jeff Keeley during the development of Half-Life 2. Valve programmer Jay Stelly added in an interview that interactivity allows players not only to experience stories but also to actively participate in their development. This makes gameplay unique, forming a deep connection between the player and the virtual world. As a result, games become more than just entertainment, but full-fledged artificial ecosystems where every choice matters and affects the surrounding reality.

We strived to apply physics in a way that enhances your immersion in the game world. If we implement everything correctly, players will be able to interact with the environment, and the game will become more dynamic, going beyond scripted actions.

Jay Stelly is a renowned programmer who worked on the iconic game Half-Life 2. His contribution to the development of this game cannot be overstated, as it was thanks to his efforts that Half-Life 2 became one of the most popular and influential video games in history. Stelly was involved in optimizing the game engine, as well as developing unique mechanics that made the gameplay more engaging and realistic. His work helped set new standards in the industry and inspired many other developers. Thanks to Jay Stelly's talent and professionalism, Half-Life 2 continues to remain relevant and beloved by players around the world.

In standard shooters, the player's choices are usually limited to taking cover behind obstacles from enemy fire or returning fire. In Half-Life 2, the ability to pick up batteries and use them as makeshift shields adds an element of strategy to the gameplay. The player can also use batteries as weapons, striking opponents, which expands tactical possibilities and makes combat more dynamic.

As a result, you not only react to threats that arise in the game but also develop your own methods to overcome them. Such approaches can surprise even the developers, demonstrating your creativity and strategic thinking in gameplay.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild game director Hidemaro Fujibayashi also came to a paradigm shift in gameplay. He described it as a shift from passive perception of the game to active interaction, which implies a rejection of linear gameplay that leads the player by the hand. Instead, the developer proposed a format in which the player makes their own decisions about how to overcome the game's obstacles. This change was driven by a desire to give the user more freedom and influence over the virtual world, similar to how it was implemented in Half-Life 2. This approach not only enriches the gaming experience, but also makes interaction with the game more personal and engaging.

In his GDC lecture, Fujibayashi noted that his goal was to create a game that gives users true freedom in a vast playground. This commitment to freedom allows players to explore and interact with the world as they see fit, which significantly enriches the gaming experience.

Physics in Breath of the Wild is based on the familiar laws of nature. Water can freeze into ice and extinguish fire, the changing time of day causes temperature changes, metal objects have increased magnetism, and gliding requires taking wind direction into account. These elements make gameplay more realistic and engaging, allowing players to use the physics of the surrounding world to solve various problems and overcome obstacles.

Breath of the Wild features a chemistry engine that controls the state of objects. For example, a felled tree transforms into a log, and a sawed log becomes a bundle of firewood. This system adds realism to the gameplay and allows players to interact with the world around them more naturally.

All these processes form a complex system capable of both generating threats and offering solutions to eliminate them. This can lead to unpredictable consequences that developers do not always consider.

Emergence in games is the ability to create unexpected situations and unique gameplay moments. However, Hidemaro Fujibayashi uses the term "multiplicative gameplay" to describe this phenomenon. This approach emphasizes how various game elements interact with each other, creating a rich and varied gaming experience. Multiplicative gameplay allows players to explore new strategies and approaches, making each gaming session unique and engaging.

The player's various actions, their tools, and the landscape and objects that react to these actions interact with each other. This results in an active game environment that creates a variety of unique situations. In such an environment, the player is given freedom of choice and the ability to make decisions, which significantly enriches the gaming experience and makes it more engaging. Endless combinations of actions and reactions create a dynamic atmosphere that promotes player engagement and satisfaction.

Hidemaro Fujibayashi is the game director of the acclaimed game The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Under his leadership, the project became one of the most significant in video game history, receiving numerous awards and critical acclaim. Fujibayashi significantly contributed to the creation of an open world that allows players to explore and interact with the environment. His approach to game design and attention to detail made The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild a cult classic, influencing the development of the genre.

Alessia Leidecker notes that surprising events can happen in video games. For example, in Half-Life 2, players can complete certain levels without using weapons, simply by throwing heavy objects at enemies with the gravity gun. In RimWorld, the ability to change temperature opens the way to create complex traps that can freeze enemies to death. These mechanics demonstrate how the variety of game elements allows players to find unique and creative solutions to various situations.

Alessia emphasizes that emergence in games stimulates player creativity and motivates them to replay the game. Emergent mechanics create unique gameplay situations, which promotes repeated interest and exploration of game worlds. This makes each playthrough unique, which is an important aspect of attracting and retaining players.

Good system design allows for repeated playthroughs of the same game, each time providing a new and unique experience. This is achieved through a variety of gameplay elements that make each playthrough interesting and engaging. Effective system design fosters deep and multi-layered game mechanics, allowing players to explore different strategies, make new decisions, and discover unexpected possibilities. This approach not only increases replayability but also creates an engaging interaction that keeps players engaged for a long time.

Alessia Leydecker is the game director of such acclaimed games as Assassin’s Creed 3 and Assassin’s Creed: Unity. Her work in the video game industry has left a significant mark, thanks to which the projects she has worked on have received high praise from both critics and players. Leydecker actively innovates in game development, which contributes to the creation of immersive and engaging gaming experiences. Her contributions to the Assassin’s Creed series have helped shape the unique style and atmosphere of the games, making them popular among fans.

Thanks to this, a simple camp clearing can be carried out in a variety of scenarios. In one version, Link uses mountain boulders to destroy bokoblin monsters, in another, he sets fire to the forest, destroying enemies hiding under its green canopy. These varied approaches make the game more dynamic and engaging, allowing players to choose tactics depending on the situation.

Fujibayashi noted in his presentation that The Legend of Zelda series has previously employed many game mechanics inspired by natural phenomena. However, in previous games, each of these mechanics was designed specifically to solve specific puzzles.

Developing new features in games like Zelda requires significant resources and effort. This allows for improvement and customization of the gameplay, making it more engaging. However, in the case of the new Zelda, this approach proved ineffective. It is important to focus on optimizing existing mechanics to ensure a high-quality gaming experience without overloading the project with unnecessary functionality.

Hidemaro Fujibayashi is the game director of the acclaimed game The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This project became a landmark for the entire gaming industry, introducing an open world that changed the way gameplay was approached. Fujibayashi played a key role in developing the unique mechanics and visual style that made the game one of the most successful in the series. Thanks to his vision and creative approach, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has won numerous awards and acclaim from players worldwide.

The developers succeeded in creating engaging gameplay through simple and universal rules. This avoided excessive cutscenes and complex quests. The world of Hyrule and its mechanics, combined with player creativity, create a variety of unique stories and situations. Players can explore the world around them on their own, creating their own adventures and experiences, which makes each game unique and unrepeatable.

According to Leydecker, systemic gameplay significantly saves resources during game development. This is due to the fact that various elements of such games are easier to adapt and refine. This approach allows developers to make changes and improvements faster, which ultimately improves the quality of the gameplay. Systemic gameplay contributes to the creation of more flexible and sustainable game mechanics, which is an important aspect of successful modern video game development.

We've all had moments when, at the final stage of development, a great idea came up and we turned to the programmer, only to hear the response: "At this stage, this can no longer be implemented." However, if you have developed a modular and simple solution that is easily integrated into the system, your programmer will not be able to refuse and will say: "Okay, let's see how we can add this." Creating a flexible project architecture allows for the early implementation of new features and improvements, significantly simplifying the development process and reducing implementation time.

Alessia Leydecker, known as the game director of Assassin's Creed 3 and Assassin's Creed: Unity, has made significant contributions to the development of this popular franchise. Under her leadership, unique mechanics and a gripping storyline were developed that have made the games cult favorites. Her work at Ubisoft helped create an atmosphere of historical authenticity and engagement, attracting numerous new players and strengthening a loyal fan base. Alessia Leidecker continues to influence the gaming industry, inspiring new generations of developers to create high-quality content.

How System Physics Works in Games

In his GDC talk, Takuhiro Dota, a programmer who worked on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, noted that "game physics can be described as fake physics or liar physics." This joke highlights the uniqueness of game mechanics and their differences from real-world physical laws. Game physics are often created to enhance gameplay, allowing developers to implement elements that are impossible in real life, thereby opening up new horizons for creativity and player interaction with the virtual environment.

For example, the Magnetism ability allows Link to lift metal objects, similar to telekinesis. Desert heat not only causes heatstroke but also leads to dehydration, which is reflected in the character's health. Additionally, Link can climb walls just as effectively as Spider-Man.

This isn't an oversight on the part of the designer or programmer, but a conscious decision based on specific reasons that we'll detail below.

The primary goal is to maintain a clear and consistent core gameplay throughout each game. This allows players to focus on the key mechanics and elements that drive engaging gameplay. Maintaining consistent core gameplay contributes to a deep and immersive atmosphere, allowing players to fully enjoy the experience.

RimWorld creator Tynan Sylvester notes that players have repeatedly suggested introducing new mechanics to the game. Among the suggestions, ideas for more complex production chains and a more realistic simulation of liquids and gases stand out. These changes could significantly enrich the gameplay and increase the level of detail, which undoubtedly attracts the attention of both new and experienced players. Improving production and simulation mechanics is an important step in the development of RimWorld, allowing for a deeper and more engaging gaming experience.

The game designer emphasized that, despite the appeal of the new mechanics, their implementation is not guaranteed. He believes that excessive realism in the simulation could distract players from the core idea of ​​RimWorld. Complex mechanics could overshadow the emotional stories of the colonists struggling to survive on a remote planet. The focus should remain on character interactions and experiences, not on complex gameplay.

Alessia Leydecker recommends considering the impact on the player's experience when designing game systems. It is important to highlight mechanics that will create engaging situations and increase engagement. This approach will lead to higher quality and more interesting gameplay, which in turn will attract the audience's attention and improve the overall experience.

The turkey roasting mechanic in Spelunky 2 is not particularly realistic, but it fits organically with the cartoonish style of the game and provides players with a way to restore health. Similarly, the fuel barrel in Half-Life 2 does not explode from a strong impact, and plant thorns in Breath of the Wild do not knock the player back. These elements highlight unique game mechanics and create an atmosphere that promotes engaging gameplay.

Game developers actively utilize liar physics, as Takuhiro Dota notes. This approach facilitates the optimization of gameplay and, paradoxically, enhances the feeling of realism. When players can more easily understand the rules of a virtual world, they are more likely to believe in it. This approach contributes to a more engaging and memorable gaming experience, which in turn increases user satisfaction and engagement.

If one wooden object ignites from a torch, this means that other wooden objects should also react to open flames. Similarly, if the gravity gun in Half-Life 2 can attract batteries, then it should be able to interact with other objects, such as barrels, wooden pallets, chairs, and various household items. This logic of object interactions in games emphasizes the importance of physics and realistic game mechanics, which makes the gameplay more engaging and believable for players.

Creating an effective plan is only possible with a deep understanding of how game systems react to changes in their equilibrium. This knowledge allows you to predict how various game elements will interact with each other under new conditions. Understanding game mechanics and their interrelationships is the key to a successful strategy.

Mark Brown is a popular host of the Game Maker's Toolkit YouTube channel, dedicated to analyzing and dissecting video games. On his channel, he explores various aspects of game design, sharing his thoughts on the mechanics, story, and art of games. His videos help developers improve their skills and deepen gamers' understanding of how high-quality games are created. Through his in-depth analysis and accessible explanations of complex concepts, Mark Brown has become an authority on game design and has attracted a wide audience. Game Maker's Toolkit continues to attract the attention of both professionals and enthusiasts, facilitating discussion and exploration of emerging trends in the gaming industry.

A game cannot change established rules, as this leads to a loss of credibility in its world. According to Brown, this situation reduces the player's motivation to experiment with game mechanics. When rules remain unchanged, players can delve deeper into the gameplay, explore different strategies, and gain a full experience. Therefore, stable and consistent game rules are the foundation for successful interaction with the game.

An example of effective simulation in games is Ellie's rope from The Last of Us: Part 2. The Naughty Dog programming team spent three months developing this realistic mechanic. However, its use is limited to solving individual puzzles and does not significantly impact the core gameplay. As a result, the value of such mechanics for players is minimal, raising questions about the feasibility of the effort.

Nintendo art director Satoru Takizawa described this design as an artistic style that promotes illusions. He explained that this style meets the requirements of gameplay while maintaining a sense of realism. This approach allows for an immersive experience for players by combining gameplay mechanics with visual fidelity.

The visual style of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild combines elements of traditional Japanese painting and animation, giving the game a unique aesthetic. At the same time, the game is filled with numerous details that help players better understand the physics of the gameplay. This visual design is not only pleasing to the eye, but also contributes to a deeper immersion in the game world, allowing you to explore and interact with the environment.

Grass bends in the wind, creating picturesque landscapes. During rain, streams of water rush over the rocks, forming waterfalls. The hedgehog, on the other hand, curls up into a ball and chatters its teeth from the cold. The impact with the flint creates sparks that can ignite trees, creating fiery flashes in the darkness of the night. These natural phenomena highlight the diversity and strength of the world around us.

We can also consider more in-depth examples, such as Minecraft, where all graphics are built on a cube base, and RimWorld, where the visual design is presented in the form of icons. RimWorld's creator, Tynan Sylvester, claims that the graphics in his game play the same important role as the font in a book. This emphasizes that high image detail is not always a criterion of quality. Visual elements can be simple, but their functionality and expressiveness can create a unique atmosphere and immerse the player in the gameplay.

The game designer argues that the key aspect is the effectiveness of conveying the story in the player's mind. This statement emphasizes the importance of in-game symbols and their role in creating an engaging experience. Effective communication through visual and textual elements allows the player to be more deeply immersed in the game's plot and atmosphere, which is the foundation of successful game design.

The main advantage of such games is that they don't emphasize photorealistic graphics or spectacular scripted scenes, but rather give players the opportunity to unleash their imagination and create unique stories. The history of video games is full of captivating projects in which gameplay is based on well-developed physics. In one of the following materials, we will tell you in detail about the most interesting of them.