Metroidvania Level | HelenePoulin

Metroidvania Level - DreamWatcher

DreamWatcher

Type of game : DreamWatcher is a 3rd person Metroidvania (for PC) created with Unity. This game was produced remotely at the Campus ADN.

Plot : Play as an agent of the Dream Collective who must restore order in the Great Dream Library.

Production time: 14 weeks

Level artist: Marie-Pier Champagne Cloutier

Psst : I also participated to design the game!

Constraints

Size : Fixed size and number of zones (5 zones).
Line of Sight : Predetermined line of sight.
Difficulty : Difficulty curve representative of the level.
Backtracking : Several back and forth with different level of difficulty.

Study Hall

Position : Level 2/8
Location in the Library : Level in the Dreams Wing with a small section in the nightmares Wing.
Goal : The player must collect 2 Quest Books and get the nightmare claws upgrade.
Level with several passages with a difficulty varying between easy and difficult.
Narrative context : The Dream agent must recover the Quest books from the Library to restore the balance. Along the way, she must help Dewey who, by trying to help her, put himself in danger.

design INtention

several passages

Several back and forth trips grouping all levels of difficulty

balanced gameplay

Balance between the three main gameplay of the game: puzzle, platforming and combat.

reward exploration

Each back and forth trips brings something new and rewards the player.

Creative and iterative process

In order to offer an unique experience, multiple iterations and playtests were carried out to obtain the best version of the level.

Link to LDD: LDD Document

Version 1 : Sketchup

Creation of the basic layout of the five zones including the different exits and entrances.
Incorporation of key elements (quest items, abilities, NPCs, etc.)
Preliminary placement of platforming, puzzle and combat zones.

Version 1 : Sketchup

1/1

Version 2 : Iteration with Sketchup

Creation of the different rooms in Sketchup.
Incorporation of ingredients and gameplay.
Elaboration of platforming, puzzle and combat zones.

Version 2 - Itération Sketchup

1/1

Version 3 : Iteration with Unity

Level creation in Unity with modules created by level artists.
Tighten up the game play and remove certain areas to avoid long backtracking.
Placement of enemies and ingredients.
Iterations of the level to obtain the best version.

Version 3 - Itération Unity

1/1

design Intentions

Metroidvania Level - DreamWatcher

DreamWatcher

Constraints

Size : Fixed size and number of zones (5 zones).

Line of Sight : Predetermined line of sight.

Difficulty : Difficulty curve representative of the level.

Backtracking : Several back and forth with different level of difficulty.

Study Hall

Position : Level 2/8

Location in the Library : Level in the Dreams Wing with a small section in the nightmares Wing.

Goal : The player must collect 2 Quest Books and get the nightmare claws upgrade.

Level with several passages with a difficulty varying between easy and difficult.

Narrative context : The Dream agent must recover the Quest books from the Library to restore the balance. Along the way, she must help Dewey who, by trying to help her, put himself in danger.

design INtention

several passages

balanced gameplay

reward exploration

Creative and iterative process

In order to offer an unique experience, multiple iterations and playtests were carried out to obtain the best version of the level.

Link to LDD: LDD Document

Version 1 : Sketchup

Creation of the basic layout of the five zones including the different exits and entrances.

Incorporation of key elements (quest items, abilities, NPCs, etc.)

Preliminary placement of platforming, puzzle and combat zones.

Version 2 : Iteration with Sketchup

Creation of the different rooms in Sketchup.

Incorporation of ingredients and gameplay.

Elaboration of platforming, puzzle and combat zones.

Version 3 : Iteration with Unity

Level creation in Unity with modules created by level artists.

Tighten up the game play and remove certain areas to avoid long backtracking.

Placement of enemies and ingredients.

Iterations of the level to obtain the best version.

highlights