STEELWORKS is a 3D, Puzzle, Turn-based Strategy Mobile game developed in Unity over the course of 3 months where I served as the Lead Designer and focuses on Gameplay Design, System & Mechanics Design & Level Design.
Trapped in a scrapyard tower, play as a fallen robot with steel block creation powers to build your way up back to freedom while battling hostile automatons.
Core Gameplay Summary
The game follows a turn-based sequence, to simplify, it starts with the player’s turn to move and attack which is then followed by the enemy’s turn to do the same, constantly repeating in this cycle until the game ends, either in player win or loss.
In a 3x3 grid tower, every turn, player will build 3D steel blocks for two specific purposes.
Firstly, Movement. The player can only move to the surfaces of their created steel blocks, therefore, to ascend the tower is to create platforms to move onto using the steel blocks.
Secondly, Combat. One of the ways the player damages enemy robots positioned along the tower is by building blocks overlapping them, essentially suffocating them.
Main Player Objective
Build blocks to reach the top of the tower while surviving enemy attacks and environmental hazards
Design Intentions
Overview of Turn-Based Sequence
Each turn in the game follows a consistent sequence, allowing players to anticipate what will happen next and plan their actions accordingly. As a result, having positional foresight, which is being able to predict events in the next few steps becomes crucial.
Three Block Types
The different block types and functions provide players with various combat options, allowing them to either directly attack enemies or reposition them to make them fight each other. Players have the freedom to choose their approach, whether they prefer a pacifist strategy or a more aggressive, destructive path.
“STEELWORKS” mechanics are designed to be easy to learn yet still allowing players to perform various in-depth and complex actions, allowing players to work their mind’s gears when solving the game’s puzzle, albeit in a casual rather than overwhelming way.
