What the Best Action Games Teach Us About Momentum

8 July 2025

Picture this: You're sprinting through a chaotic battlefield, leaping over obstacles, dodging enemy fire, and landing a perfectly timed attack. Your movements flow seamlessly, every action building on the last, creating a rhythm that feels unstoppable. That, my friend, is what gamers call momentum.

Momentum in action games isn't just about speed or power. It's a fascinating concept that combines decision-making, timing, and skill. But here's the kicker: momentum in games often mirrors life. Yes, you heard me. These breakneck adrenaline-fueled experiences teach us some crazy lessons about building and maintaining momentum in our day-to-day lives.

So buckle up, because we’re about to explore what the best action games can teach us about momentum—and you might just come away with some life hacks, too. Let’s hit the ground running.

What Is Momentum in Action Games?

First things first, let's define momentum in the world of gaming. In action games, momentum is the seamless flow of movement and actions that amplify your performance. Think of it as an invisible force that snowballs your progress when you’re playing well. Miss a step, and the snowball stops. Nail every move, and you’re virtually invincible.

Here’s a relatable analogy: Imagine you’re riding a bike downhill. As long as you keep pedaling and steering, the ride feels smooth and exhilarating. Stop pedaling, however, and that momentum you loved so much? Gone.

In games, momentum often materializes through mechanics like combos, speed boosts, or chaining together attacks. Whether it's sprinting in DOOM Eternal, wall-running in Titanfall 2, or building up speed in Mirror's Edge, the best action games make you feel that energy as you master their systems.

The Science Behind Momentum in Games

So, how do developers bake momentum into games that makes it feel so satisfying? It’s all about game design principles. Here are a few ways top-tier action games keep that momentum alive:

1. Feedback Loops

Ever notice how your screen flashes red or your controller vibrates after you land a perfect combo? That’s the game giving you feedback. These little rewards encourage you to keep going, building a positive feedback loop. The faster and smoother you play, the more the game rewards you, creating that exhilarating sense of flow.

2. Risk vs. Reward Mechanics

Momentum feels thrilling because it’s not handed to you—you have to earn it. Action games often present challenges that force you to take risks, like chaining attacks in Devil May Cry or parrying at the last second in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Take the risk, nail the move, and you’re rewarded with a momentum boost that feels oh-so-satisfying.

3. Dynamic Difficulty

Games like Celeste or Hades are masters of dynamic difficulty. They subtly adjust challenges to keep you in that sweet spot of engagement—not too easy, not too hard. This balanced pacing ensures you’re always chasing momentum, creating a "just one more try" effect.

Lessons From Games: Why Momentum Matters in Real Life

Now, let’s take those gaming mechanics and apply them to real life. Sounds wild, right? But momentum is just as crucial outside of games. Here’s what we can learn:

1. Small Wins Build Big Momentum

In games, a well-timed dodge or combo sets off a cascade of success. The same rule applies IRL. Achieving small goals—like finishing a workout or knocking out a few tasks on your to-do list—creates a snowball effect. Each win builds your confidence and propels you forward.

2. Consistency Beats Raw Talent

Have you ever played a game where you start off super clumsy, but then you slowly get the hang of it? That’s consistency at work. Momentum in games is rarely about doing one big thing right—it’s about stringing together lots of small, consistent actions. The same is true for real life. Want to get fit? Write a book? Learn a skill? It’s all about showing up daily, not trying to sprint through in one go.

3. Mistakes Aren’t Game Over

One missed jump or mistimed attack doesn’t end the game (most of the time). Similarly, in life, losing momentum doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Recovering from setbacks—whether it’s in a game or in life—teaches resilience. Some of the best victories come right after you’ve fumbled.

Examples of Momentum-Driven Action Games (And Why They Nail It)

Let’s dive into some iconic games that absolutely crush it when it comes to momentum. These aren’t just fun to play—they’re practically case studies in how to create and sustain energy.

1. DOOM Eternal

DOOM Eternal doesn’t just encourage momentum—it demands it. The game punishes players who stay still for too long. You’re constantly on the move, chaining kills to replenish ammo, health, and shields. It’s a high-octane lesson in staying proactive and never losing that forward drive.

2. Titanfall 2

Wall-running, double-jumping, and jetpacking through levels in Titanfall 2 feels like a masterclass in movement. The game’s fluid mechanics reward you for chaining together actions, making you feel like a parkour ninja. It’s all about precision, timing, and flowing from one move to the next—a perfect metaphor for staying agile in life.

3. Spider-Man (Insomniac Games)

Swinging through New York City as Spider-Man is pure bliss. But here’s the thing: Momentum in this game isn’t automatic. You have to time your swings, plan your paths, and keep the rhythm going. Miss a swing, and you’ll lose speed. It’s a fantastic reminder that momentum requires both skill and effort.

4. Celeste

While it’s a platformer rather than a traditional action game, Celeste is a master at teaching momentum. The game’s tight controls and challenging levels push you to keep moving forward, even when you fail repeatedly. It’s a beautiful lesson in perseverance and building momentum through grit.

Tips for Building Momentum (Inspired by Action Games)

Feeling hyped to build your own momentum? Here are a few actionable tips inspired by some of the best action games out there:

1. Start Small but Fast

Think of your first few actions as the opening combo in a game. Start with quick wins that are easy to achieve and build from there. For example, if you’re tackling a big project, start by organizing your tools or creating a simple outline.

2. Embrace Flow

Action games thrive on flow—the state where everything feels effortless. To enter flow in real life, eliminate distractions and focus on one task at a time. Multitasking? That’s like button-mashing—it rarely works.

3. Recover Quickly

Missed a workout? Forgot to study? Failed at something? No big deal. Just like in games, the key is quickly getting back on track. Momentum isn’t about perfection; it’s about persistence.

4. Celebrate Progress

In games, every small achievement is celebrated with dramatic sound effects, flashy visuals, or in-game rewards. In real life, you can celebrate progress with a treat, a break, or even just recognizing how far you’ve come.

Why Momentum Makes Games (and Life) So Addictive

Ever wonder why you can’t put down a good action game? Or why life feels amazing when everything’s going your way? It’s all about momentum. It pulls you in, keeps you engaged, and makes every success feel bigger than the last.

Momentum isn’t just a feature in games; it’s a feeling. It’s that incredible sense of inertia that makes you feel unstoppable. And whether you’re chasing it in a pixelated world or the real one, understanding how momentum works can seriously level up your game.

Wrap-Up: Keep Moving Forward

Momentum is the secret sauce that separates the good from the great in action games. It’s what makes you feel powerful, skilled, and alive. But beyond the screen, momentum teaches us so much about perseverance, consistency, and the art of bouncing back.

So the next time you’re playing your favorite action game, pause for a second (well, maybe not in the middle of a boss fight) and think about how those lessons apply to your life. Trust me—once you start treating life like a game, you’ll be unstoppable.