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We’ve all played platformers. You run right, you jump over a spike, you reach the door, and you win. It’s a language gamers have spoken since the days of the NES. But what happens when the game decides to lie to you? What happens when the ground you’re standing on decides to take a coffee break, or the spikes start moving when they really shouldn’t?
Welcome to the genre of "troll games"—or as I like to call them, "trust issue simulators." These games aren't hard because the enemies are tough; they are hard because the level design itself is the enemy. Today, I want to talk about how to survive and actually enjoy these chaotic experiences, using one of the best recent examples of the genre: Level Devil.
If you haven’t played it yet, buckle up. It’s going to be a bumpy, hilarious ride.
The Gameplay: Expect the Unexpected
The premise of Level Devil is deceptively simple. You control a small, somewhat nervous-looking character. Your goal is to reach the door at the end of the level to advance to the next one. The controls are standard: move left, move right, and jump.
However, the "Devil" in the name isn't a boss monster; it’s the architect of the levels.
In a normal game, if you see a pit, you jump over it. In this game, you might jump over the pit, land safely on the other side, and then have the ceiling collapse on you. Or, perhaps the platform you are standing on suddenly sprouts legs and walks away.
The core gameplay loop is trial and error, but with a comedic twist. You aren't meant to beat the level on the first try. You are meant to die. Often. And usually in a way that makes you laugh out loud. The game plays on your muscle memory. It knows you expect a gap to be static, so it moves the gap. It knows you expect a key to open a door, so it makes the key run away from you.
Progression isn't about reflex mastery as much as it is about memorizing the traps. It’s a puzzle game disguised as a platformer where the puzzle is figuring out exactly how the developer is trying to prank you this time.
Tips for Keeping Your Sanity (and Winning)
Playing a game like this requires a shift in mindset. If you approach it like Super Mario, you will rage quit in five minutes. Here are a few tips to help you master the madness of Level Devil and similar troll games.

1. Death is Information In most games, dying is a failure state. In troll games, dying is research. Every time your character explodes, falls, or gets crushed, you have learned something vital. You now know that the third tile from the left is a trap. Treat each death not as a loss, but as a piece of the puzzle being solved. The quicker you laugh off a death, the better you’ll play.
2. Take it Slow (Except When You Shouldn’t) The instinct in platformers is often speed—gotta go fast! In Level Devil, patience is usually your best friend. Sometimes, if you just stand still for a second after a level starts, a hidden trap will trigger safely in front of you. Observe the environment. Does that ceiling look slightly different? Is that spike pulsing at a weird rhythm? However, be warned: sometimes the game punishes hesitation too. It’s all about finding the rhythm of that specific stage.
3. Trust Nothing This is the golden rule. If a path looks too easy, it is definitely a trap. If you see a row of coins leading off a cliff, don't follow them. The game is constantly trying to bait you. Always assume the floor is going to disappear until proven otherwise.
4. Memorize the Patterns Since the traps are scripted, they happen the same way every time. Success relies on pattern recognition. It’s like learning a dance routine. Step left, pause, jump, duck, run. Once you have the choreography down, executing the level becomes satisfyingly smooth.
   Conclusion: Why We Love the Frustration
   Why do we play games that seem designed to make us mad? I think it’s because the payout is so unique. Beating a standard level in a game feels good, but beating a level that actively tried to cheat feels like a triumph of will.
   Games like Level Devil strip away the serious veneer of gaming and remind us that play is supposed to be fun, surprising, and a little bit silly. There is a genuine sense of camaraderie in playing these games, too. Sharing the experience with friends and watching them fall for the exact same trap that got you is a joy all its own.
   So, if you have a few minutes to spare and don't mind having your expectations subverted at every turn, give it a shot. Just remember to take a deep breath, prepare to laugh at your own misfortune, and don’t throw your keyboard. Good luck!