Tutorials in video games: we all know they’re a necessary evil. You finally boot up that hotly anticipated title, ready to dive in, only to be met with walls of text explaining how to move, jump, and shoot. It’s like being back in school, but without the fun of passing notes. But what if tutorials could be… funny? What if, instead of feeling like a chore, they were a source of amusement and entertainment? Luckily, some games nail this! Humor can alleviate the tedium of those starting segments. Here are ten games that prove tutorials don’t have to be a drag.
Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc
The Rayman games are known for their wackiness, but Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc kicks it up a notch with its meta humor. The game begins with Rayman’s home under attack and his friend Globox accidentally running off with Rayman’s hands (yes, you read that right). Murphy, Rayman’s flying sidekick, guides him through the chaos by literally reading an in-game manual.
Murphy skips the boring parts, complains about his sidekick role, and even contemplates finding a new career. His commentary is not only hilarious but also relatable, making you almost sad to see him go after the opening level. It’s a tutorial that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s what makes it so enjoyable.
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
Given the often self-serious nature of the Far Cry series, Blood Dragon is a welcome surprise. This expansion is an over-the-top tribute to ’80s action movies and techno sci-fi, and its tutorial revels in the absurdity. As cyborg soldier Rex Colt, you must relearn basic moves, but the instructions are so condescending they’re hilarious.
The computer tells you that running is “like walking, only faster.” Rex’s deadpan delivery and visible frustration mirror the player’s own impatience with overly simplistic tutorials. It’s funny because it’s true, and it’s a brilliant parody of the genre’s tropes.
Spider-Man
The Spider-Man games based on Sam Raimi’s trilogy feature tutorials that are made infinitely better by one thing: Bruce Campbell. The Evil Dead star, who cameos in all three movies, narrates the opening stages with his trademark wit and sarcasm.
Campbell’s delivery makes even the most mundane instructions entertaining. It’s as though he’s just as bored with teaching you the basics as you are with learning them, adding an easygoing humor to the whole experience. If only all tutorials could have Bruce Campbell…
Bully
The first day at Bullworth Academy in Bully is a crash course in juvenile delinquency. As Jimmy Hopkins, you navigate the school’s chaotic environment, attend classes, and quickly become acquainted with the student body. It’s not much different than the rest of the semester.
The humor arises from the game’s inherent insanity. Students and teachers hurl insults, and after a fight, you can humiliate your opponent in various disgusting ways. The game relentlessly mocks school culture with self-awareness and unabashed classlessness akin to Grand Theft Auto. It’s juvenile, yes, but also hilarious.
Destroy All Humans!
Destroy All Humans! embraces its own ridiculousness right from the start. Upon landing on Earth, Cryptosporidium-137 (Crypto) encounters a farm, and the game leans into the stereotypical alien encounter with a wink and a nod.
Crypto tests his mind-reading powers on cows, receiving compliments on the “primitive yet profound” mooing from his superior. The game consistently satirizes societal archetypes, setting the tone for the humor you can expect throughout the rest of the adventure.
Deadpool
Of course, Deadpool’s game is going to be funny. Deadpool begins in the anti-hero’s messy apartment, where you can explore his surroundings and interact with various objects as you learn the controls. From pumping up an inflatable doll to relieving yourself in the bathroom, the humor is as crude as Deadpool himself.
The early narrative continues this energy as Deadpool changes the game’s script to suit his sensibilities and argues with his inner voices. The character introductions are manic and the humor is chaotic, perfectly capturing Deadpool’s zany personality.
Monsters, Inc. Scream Team
In Monsters, Inc. Scream Team, Mike and Sully undergo a company course to become scarers before the events of the iconic film. They practice platforming, combat, and collecting, with the Nerves (robots designed to simulate children) as their targets.
The humor comes from Roz, the company’s sardonic receptionist, who instructs the heroes with a tired, deadpan tone. Her dialogue is a hilarious contrast, echoing the boredom players often feel during tutorials. Roz is just the best!
Doom
Doom (2016) is a middle finger to modern gaming conventions, especially in shooters. The game begins with the Doom Slayer awakening in a destroyed facility on Mars, where he ignores Dr. Samuel Hayden’s explanations and smashes equipment instead.
He’s only there to kill monsters, and this attitude subverts the sensibilities of many developers today. It’s a tutorial that says, “Enough with the story, let’s get to the action,” and it’s wonderfully satisfying.
Vampire: The Masquerade–Bloodlines
Vampire: The Masquerade–Bloodlines features a tutorial that stands out thanks to Smiling Jack, an extremely powerful vampire. You were killed and resurrected as a vampire, and Jack will help you get used to the undead way of life. Jack has the persona of a drunken bum and takes everything in stride.
The game’s role-playing format lets you respond to Jack with crazy dialogue options, creating hilarious conversations. The buddy dynamic is unorthodox, filling you with sadistic glee and the ideal mindset for this world.
Lollipop Chainsaw
Lollipop Chainsaw revolves around a zombie-hunting cheerleader named Juliet. The energetic valley girl is endearing from the start, balancing her cheerfulness with a sense of duty and teenage troubles.
The opening sequence takes place during a zombie apocalypse in Juliet’s high school, where she fights zombies with the pep of a cheerleading routine. To top it off, Juliet severs her deceased boyfriend’s head, straps it to her belt, and reanimates it. Moments like that let you get into the crazy world.
These games prove that tutorials don’t have to be boring. By injecting humor, wit, and self-awareness, they make the learning experience enjoyable and engaging. Maybe more developers could take note?
What are some other funny games with great tutorials? Leave your comment below!
