A Collider article examines what distinguishes exceptional video game tutorials from forgettable ones. The analysis evaluates tutorials across multiple dimensions—including pacing, teaching mechanics, player progression, and memorable design—arguing that strong openings are critical to overall game quality. Rather than merely listing entries, the piece emphasises how the best tutorials seamlessly integrate learning with entertainment, allowing players to develop mastery without realising they're being instructed.

The article highlights diverse design approaches across genres. Cuphead presents a minimalist, thematically appropriate introduction within a blueprint aesthetic, focusing players on core mechanics like jumping and parries. Fallout 3 takes a narrative approach, embedding mechanical teaching within the player character's childhood vault experience—a method that establishes lore investment before transitioning to open-world gameplay. These examples illustrate how effective tutorials balance guided learning against pacing concerns that deter players from continued engagement.