Spoilers ahead: for the puzzle and the movies/games
This page reveals all categories and answers for this puzzle. It also discusses plot details, story endings, and other spoilers for some of the movies/games shown.
easy
Mechanical bodies or limbs define the hero
[object Object] · [object Object] · [object Object] · [object Object]
A metal body, replacement arm, or mechanical frame shapes both the hero's identity and the way the player moves through combat.
medium
Inventory management is a packing puzzle
[object Object] · [object Object] · [object Object] · [object Object]
Every useful object wants the same patch of grid space. Rotating, nesting, and discarding gear becomes its own small strategy game.
hard
Boss battles switch to shooting or rhythm controls
[object Object] · [object Object] · [object Object] · [object Object]
The usual combat rules give way during a boss encounter. Players who mastered one game suddenly have to survive a shooter or keep a beat.
tricky
Movement without a conventional jump button
[object Object] · [object Object] · [object Object] · [object Object]
A grappling arm, pinball flippers, manual leg controls, or a golf club handles upward movement. The missing jump button is the joke and the entire design problem.