Post
The movement mechanic that lets players briefly defy gravity by running along vertical surfaces.
Wall running is the spiritual sibling of double-jumping: a second-chance traversal option that extends jumps and opens new routes. Good implementations require input timing (jump into a wall at the right angle) and reward momentum management. Bad ones feel floaty or auto-pilot. Titanfall 2 is widely considered the gold standard, blending wall run with wall hang, double jump, and slide into a single flowing language of movement.
Example
Titanfall 2's pilot movement is movement-design perfection. Prince of Persia: Sands of Time pioneered cinematic wall run. Apex Legends removed wall running entirely to simplify its battle royale. Mirror's Edge built an entire game around parkour including wall traversal.
Why it matters
Wall running is a clear example of how movement mechanics shape level design. A game with wall run needs verticality to justify the mechanic, and level designers must choreograph the geometry to make every run feel earned.
Related concepts