Definitely Not a Platformer

Definitely Not a Platformer turns the standard platformer formula on its head to make a series of weird puzzles. You can leap right on the stage in front of you, follow a sign, or observe a safe road in front of you.

But things might go the other way. The game has 20 stages and they all modify the way you perceive the world around you. This encourages you to pay attention, try new things, and recall what happened before you can find the exit.

What's so great about Definitely Not a Platformer?

Paths You Can't See

In many platform games, the terrain can help you figure out where to jump and how far apart the platforms are. With hidden paths and fake platforms, Definitely Not a Platformer goes against the grain.

There are times when you have to step into what looks like empty space, but a surface that looks solid makes your character fall. Instead of jumping without thinking, take it slow to get a feel for the ground. One failure can show you where a secret path is or help you figure out how the level works.

There are traps and false advice.

There are times when floors fall apart, colours change to show a new mechanism, and signs can lead you astray. Even the narrator can be wrong sometimes. Checking information is like putting together a puzzle: you have to tell the difference between useful hints and information that is meant to trick you.

Get through 20 levels.

Because the layout and challenges in each level are different, you shouldn't use the same strategy for all of them. Once you find the right path, you can reduce the number of deaths and finish the game faster. This adds another goal for people who want to finish the levels faster once they know how they work.

How to play Definitely Not a Platformer

The speed of the game is more like slow inspection than crazy speed. The screen looks like an easy jumping game, but you have to check your surroundings every time before you jump.

You will fail a lot, and you'll need to learn how to use traps, fake gaps, and change the rules on the spot. To find the best way forward through this cycle of trying things out and failing, you need to be very focused, very analytical, and very patient.

Control

• Turn left or right: Arrows to the left and right or A/D
• To jump, press the up arrow, the W, the Z, or the space bar, or click.
• Level of restart: R
• Turn off the sound: M.
• Press Escape or P to go back to the menu.

The game also lets you move with Q/D on an AZERTY keyboard. There are left, right, and jump buttons on your phone's screen. You can also tap the play area to jump.

Tips for Getting Through Levels Quickly

• Before you run, test: Step by step through areas that look sketchy to look for platforms and hidden paths.
• Get Smart From Dangerous Spots: Don't do the same thing again after each loss. Rather, learn from it.
• Don't Just Follow the Instructions: Pay attention to how the world responds to clues and the narrator's observations.
• Use your time wisely after completing a level: Once you understand how to play a level, try to finish it as quickly as possible with the fewest number of deaths.

Definitely Not a Platformer is a fantastic pick for anyone who want to solve puzzles by watching and experimenting, especially if they want to learn how a seemingly difficult level is actually designed.