Broken Fae

Genre: 3D Action Adventure / Platformer
Type: Blockout
Engine: Unreal Engine 5
Tools: Action Adventure Movement System (AAMS)
Iterations # 6
Playtests # 6
Role: Level Designer

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Goal

I often daydream of tiny worlds teeming with life. Lately, I have had a growing wish to use my skills to bring them to life. These tiny world fantasies evolved into an adventure level by drawing reference from games I enjoy deeply.

Here, my goal is to demonstrate rapid prototyping skills, while also employing techniques to include world-building embellishments in every stage of that process.

Showcase verticality in a natural setting
Provide clear visual language for traversal
Explore wind as a gameplay mechanic

I sought mentorship from industry mentors like Brandon Dolinski and Nathan Kellman to continue to expand my greyblocking skillset. Their feedback challenged me to grow as a committed life-long learner of game design.

Level Overview & Technique Highlights

Setting and Story

Welcome to a dangerous world where powerful insect queens rule over hordes of the undead… and other subjects imbued with even darker magick.

A single, ancient tree is the central location for this whole level, as the player character is roughly the size of an a small bird that fits in your hand. Or a G.I. Joe action figure.

The story follows an injured fairy who pushes through enemy territory in search of answers. And the most critical question on his list right now is how to cease the unrelenting winds that are blocking him from gliding to the next destination on his journey.

Ultimately, this fairy’s goal is to unearth truths about the source of Fae magick. But to get deeper into the jungle, the player will fight through hordes of giant insects, first; in order to restore balance within the realms along his path.

Technique Highlight 1: Designing for approachable traversal gameplay

An early iteration of the level which focused on grappling hook as primary means of traversal

Narrative stage: Screen capture of far back of tree showing basic blockout of traversal path on tree exterior.

BEFORE Worldbuilding stage: Screen capture of far back of tree showing basic blockout of traversal path on tree exterior and a burrow hole as access to underground region (cut).

AFTER Worldbuilding stage: Screen capture of far back of tree showing basic blockout of traversal path on tree exterior and a burrow hole as access to underground region (cut).

Technique and use-case I showed flexibility as I adapted traversal level elements and reimagined level flow when playtests showed the core gameplay feature of grappling hook was not supporting clear & engaging playing paths.

Context of use-case There were many constraints introduced by working with such a large degree of verticality and ascending a large cylinder. These added friction with Sekiro-style grappling hook mechanics, and were preventing me from iterating quickly towards an acceptable standard for approachability on golden path.

Technique Detail:

Level Element 1: Initially, I used orange wing-shaped volumes to indicate the areas where Fae would be pulled on firing his grappling hook
Level Element 2: Cut grappling hook and replaced it with expanded emphasis on gliding over air vents and sliding on green vines
Level Element 3: Introduced wall-running earlier to reinforce high value moments discovered throughout iteration on the middle of level and boss fight arena

Walkthrough

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4 Videos

3:00

3:33

1:09

0:23

Beat Overview

Beat 1 + 2: Forest Floor Start

Fae starts at a fallen tree stump, and notices red blight. Now he must jump down and show off his wall-running skills to advance to the base of the elder tree. He pick off an unsuspecting termite, and then glides and climbs his way up into the roots of the tree.

Beats 1 + 2 chart.