Core Gameplay Actions:
Movement:
Description: Movement is a core gameplay action that allows players to navigate the game world. It's essential for interacting with the environment and eating other insects and their wastes in order to evolve.
Types Of Movement:
Walking/Running: The player can move at different speeds based on player input and stamina. The player can walk without using stamina, however running consumes stamina.
Dashing: The player can dash for a certain duration based on player input, also consumes stamina.
Upgrades:
Description: Upgrades are a core gameplay action that allow players to improve existing stats. It's essential for surviving and progressing through the game. Players use currency (DNA) in order to upgrade or evolve their insect.
Types Of Upgrades:
Health: The player can upgrade their health to take more damage from hazards without dying.
Stamina: The player can upgrade their stamina run and dash more often. The duration of the dash is also increased based on this stat.
Speed: The player can upgrade their movement speed in order to walk/run faster.
Energy: The player can upgrade their energy in order to survive without food longer.
Evolve: The player can evolve into a larger insect such as a termite, fruit fly, etc. in order to consume larger foes. Stamina is slightly decreased on evolution.
End Game/Win Conditions:
A player's run ends when one of the following limiting resources are depleted:
Energy Bar: The player runs out of prey or waste to consume, resulting in a depleted energy bar.
Health Bar: The player is damaged by environmental hazards or squished by a larger insect, both resulting in death.
Currency System:
Description: DNA serves as the game's primary currency, earned by consuming smaller insects and their waste. The two key mechanics of DNA:
Earning DNA: The amount of DNA earned varies based on the size of consumed prey or waste.
Spending DNA: Upgrades and evolutions increase in cost with each purchase, encouraging careful resource management and prioritization.
Mechanical Interactions:
Movement, upgrades and evolution are interconnected. Movement relies on stamina, which limits how long players can rush or dash. Upgrades enhance stamina, speed and health which improves mobility, survivability and efficiency in gathering DNA. Evolution allows players to become larger insects, which allows them to consume bigger prey and higher DNA rewards as a result but slightly reduces stamina. Every action feeds into the others, encouraging strategic decision making and progression.
Story Alignment:
The game's mechanics align with its story of survival and evolution. Movement systems such as walking, running and dashing reflect the constant navigation of a dangerous environment. Careful stamina management is required in order to avoid predators and hazards. Resource management is reflected through health and energy bars, and emphasizes the fragile existence of the creature, tying directly to its need to scavenge and consume. Upgrades and evolution symbolize the journey from a vulnerable scavenger to apex predator, with DNA as the currency for progression.