Embark on an adventure as an archaeologist exploring an ancient civilization, equipped with advanced gloves that grant the power to manipulate elements.
Harness the forces of fire, water, wind, and earth, strategically combining them to create new elements and solve intricate puzzles.
The Walkthrough and Build below are in our first artistic direction:
Design puzzles for systemic game
Blockout of levels using Probuilder tool
Design of the elemental system and iteraction
Making diagrams to explain systems
Playtest and iteration on puzzles
Unity 3D
Unity Probuilder (tool)
Photoshop
Google Site
GitKraken
For this project, I aimed to integrate VR as an integral part of the design, beginning with a benchmarking process of other VR games to identify best practices.
I then incorporated VR into the way I designed levels. Beyond creating intelligent puzzles, their resolution needed to offer enjoyable interaction and manipulation.
To achieve this, we identified three key axes: Reflection, Manipulation, and Research. Each puzzle is a unique blend of these three elements, ensuring a diverse and engaging experience for players
The puzzle aspect of this game provided valuable lessons in level design, given its crucial role in creating engaging puzzles.
The first key learning was about the readability of the levels. It's essential for the player to consistently locate the objective and understand the elements of the puzzle. I iterated on the layout of the levels to ensure clarity. If a player solves a puzzle without comprehending what they've done, it's considered a failure.
The second lesson involves the necessity of introducing a twist in every puzzle. This adds complexity, prompting players to think about the levels and making puzzle-solving a more enjoyable activity. This twist can align with one of the axes mentioned in the VR Usage section.
The final learning pertains to the delicate balance between level and system design. The challenge was to convey the fantasy of manipulating elements without overpowering the player and breaking the puzzle. I implemented various tricks in the level design to limit the power while preserving the essence of the system.
Gustave Burgan
Yovann Thieme
Ulric Debaert
Xavier Lezzoche
Issa Gandega
Joris Cormy