Shapeshifter

Project Overview

Shapeshifter is a 2D Puzzle Platformer with levels ranging from 5 to 45 seconds. You must think about your next move as well as your next form. Positioning and timing is everything.

_{My Roles}

Programming
Technical Designer
Systems Designer
Level Designer
Narrative Designer

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View Design Document Here!

Initiating Design - Emotion meets Aesthetic

The catalyst for this project came from a place of vulnerability and a fear of not being in control. looked at ways how I might bind these feelings to both an aesthetic and core game mechanic. I wanted the player to focus on how we grow and transform in life, adapting to our flaws. In the game, they can experience the feeling of overcoming fear and vulnerability as they continuously transform.This sparked the idea of the player having limited or no control over how they traverse the game space. The keyword that remained with me was.. TRANSFORMATION!

Here the player golem pushes the heavy crate past the fire wall. Aiming for the button in the water.

The player successfully activates door by pressing button.

With the door open the player jellyfish can swim through and the player progresses.

Concept Level

Start
Player starts as fox next to checkpoint flag on the left handside of screen.
Player fox jumps from platform and through the narrow horizontal tube.
Player observes the red patrolling enemy and jumps from narrow tube.
With little time left. The player shifts into their next form.
Now as the golem the player landing on the back of the red enemy bouncing off and gaining momentum. passing through to the waterfall in which it is resilient and lands on the platform where the 1st star is.
Player now waits and transforms into phoenix.
Player phoenix fly's above the vertical pipe where the 2nd star is located. Observing and waiting for the right time to transform into the jellyfish.
Player transforms into jellyfish, slowing falling, passes through the vertical pipe and drifts across towards, controlling their drift to land directly into the green win zone.
Finish

More In-game Screenshots.

Here the player fox evades incoming projectiles.

Here the player golem approaches switch - being heavy, they can activate.

The player golem opens the door, but also releases an enemy into the room. Be wary.

Here the player fox is trying to break the thin floor, they are unable to do so.

Here the player golem breaks thin floor and the path ahead.