History Main / SignpostTutorial

[[caption-width-right:349:"Why, thank you conveniently-placed sign of a video game controller and me!"]]

* ''VideoGame/IttleDew'' has the Tutorial Cave, full of signs that explain basic mechanics.

[[caption-width-right:349:"Thanks conveniently-placed sign of a video game controller and me!"]]

[[caption-width-right:349:Thanks conveniently-placed sign of a video game controller and me!]]

** ''VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamLand'' has large signposts in the background of the first few levels that demonstrate controls and actions with pictures. If the player follows directions, the sign shows a checkmark and the game plays a chime. They were also featured in ''[[VideoGame/KirbyTripleDeluxe Triple Deluxe]]'', ''[[VideoGame/KirbyPlanetRobobot Planet Robobot]]'', ''[[VideoGame/KirbyBattleRoyale Battle Royale]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/KirbyStarAllies Star Allies]]''.

** ''VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamLand'' has large signposts in the background of the first few levels that demonstrate controls and actions with pictures. If the player follows directions, the sign shows a checkmark and the game plays a chime. They were also featured in ''[[VideoGame/KirbyTripleDeluxe Triple Deluxe]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/KirbyPlanetRobobot Planet Robobot]]''.

[[quoteright:349:[[VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamland https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kirby_return_to_dream_land_tutorial_sign.png]]]]

This serves to make tutorial levels self-guided and less obtrusive than having {{NPC}}s interrupt the gameplay and [[HeKnowsAboutTimedHits try to explain the controls while maintaining character]]. Just don't ask us who the heck is responsible for building those.

This serves to make tutorial levels self-guided and less obtrusive than having {{NPC}}s interrupt the gameplay and [[HeKnowsAboutTimedHits try to explain the controls while maintaining character]]. Just don't ask us who the heck is building those.

This serves to make tutorial levels self-guided and less obtrusive than having {{NPC}}s interrupt the gameplay and [[HeKnowsAboutTimedHits try to explain the controls while maintaining character]].

Where a video game offers in-game instructions on how to play through some feature of the game world. The instructions may be advertised on some part of the background, or the player can stop to read them in a manner similar to StoryBreadcrumbs.

* The ''VideoGame/{{Jumper}}'' games give instructions to the player in form of unobstructing text. ''Jumper Two'', however, puts them away in blocks that Ogmo has to bump from below to read.

* ''VideoGame/{{Purple}}'''s stage 1-1 features billboards that visually show how to move around.

** Parodied with the first freestanding signpost in the game reads: "Press [Z] to read signs!"

* ''VideoGame/BlackAndWhite'' has literal signposts littered throughout the lands and clustered around your temple that remind you of how to do basic deeds, though there are actual advisors who explain the principles as well.

* ''VideoGame/TheLostVikings'' uses squares with question marks that show an instructional text box when pressed. They are scattered throughout the first few levels before introducing every new ability. The very first such block activates automatically to explain how to read the other blocks.

* ''VideoGame/KirbysEpicYarn'' has the tutorial level laden with signposts that demonstrate what certain buttons do in specific scenarios like when he transforms into a tank or a saucer.
* ''VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamLand'' has large signposts in the background of the first few levels that demonstrate controls and actions with pictures. If the player follows directions, the sign shows a checkmark and the game plays a chime. They were also featured in ''[[VideoGame/KirbyTripleDeluxe Triple Deluxe]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/KirbyPlanetRobobot Planet Robobot]]''.

* ''VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamland'' has large signposts in the background of the first few levels that demonstrate controls and actions with pictures. If the player follows directions, the sign shows a checkmark and the game plays a chime.

* In ''VideoGame/YoshisIsland'', literal signposts appear whenever a new gameplay mechanic is introduced that you can read for hints on what to do and how to do it. Some even have illustrations.

* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' contains a number of literal signposts in a maze near the cave that leads to the Kokiri Sword. These cover basic jumping and attack maneuvers. You can ignore them if you want to (and most people do, as unlike some tutorials the game doesn't pull the "you are not allowed to do any maneuver that you didn't learn in-game" trick) and still be able to do everything.

* Parodied in ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}''. The first freestanding signpost in the game reads: "Press [Z] to read signs!" The rest of the game generally averts this trope in favor of HeKnowsAboutTimedHits.

* The tutorial in ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' is given through messages on the ground. They outwardly look the same as the player-written messages, but once you read them they can be distinguished by their special character, art, and inability to be rated.

* The tutorial in ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' is given through messages on the ground.

* ''VideoGame/SuperMario63'' conveys the majority of controls and hints to you from signs in the tutorial levels.

* ''VideoGame/NeedForSpeed Underground 2'' has a series of info coronas laid around the Airport and City Center (the only two sections of town accessible at the start of the game). Driving through these gives you some information on the game and a small amount of cash.