there is an obvious path that is wrong in a tricky way; there is a second path that is correct.
There is a single cool juke or special move.
There is a gauntlet of precision moves.
you do the whole level in one fluid motion with the right timings
(sort of) there are gold coins in the spots you have to jump to
it’s fun when they are not obviously the solution
the levels have names like “walljump academy part the first” or “disquisition on the order of leaps” implying a great ninja academy or something
Evil Ninja Hologram is a cool idea: your actions echo forward in time to shape your future strategic options. We wouldn’t need to use “echoes” for this concept to work, but “echoes” is an easy way to implement this concept.
Completion is rewarded (“get all the gold” level routes are often creative and fun while also challenging, plus they unlock levels and achievements).
Secrets enable new strategies (eg, if you touch the exit door before opening it, a hidden switch disables a turret and unlocks an obvious gold stash).
I don’t like
Chaos dodging tons of moving things.
Finicky minefield tiptoeing. (When gauntlet becomes a chore.)