Ruins of the Unexplored Project

OLD UNIVERSITY PROJECT
Ruins of the Unexplored Project

Cinematic Trailer

Ruins of the Unexplored

The level is designed as a multi-layered 2.5D side-scroller, with a strong focus on progression, challenge, and exploration. It incorporates diverse gameplay mechanics, player interactions, and carefully structured environments to create a compelling experience.

Roles & Responsibilities

Role: Level designer | Team Size: 20+

  • Contributed to the development of locations from planning to completion.
    • Blocked out using blocks and final art.​
    • Worked with Landscape including Nanite Landscape and Virtual Runtime Textures.
    • Set dressing.
  • Supported bug fixing efforts.
  • Solved critical feedback while staying within scope.
  • Improved level mechanics for better polish and engagement.
  • Using JIRA to track Progress and work to strict deadlines.
  • Documented suggestions and improvements for active locations using Confluence.
  • Utilized Procedural Content Generation (PCG) in Unreal Engine to efficiently populate and enhance various areas of the open world environment.
Map Overview:
  • Critical Path: A clear red-marked route guides players from the Start (1) to the Finish (10), with optional areas for exploration and rewards.
  • Gameplay Elements: Includes moving platforms, locked doors, and keys, blending platforming, puzzles, and interactive gameplay.
  • Challenges: Features pits, increasing enemy difficulty (common, uncommon, and bosses), and key-locked progression points to test combat and problem-solving skills.
  • Rewards: Green pickups incentivize risk-taking, offering health and power-ups in optional areas.
  • Flow and Design: Combines vertical and horizontal paths with strategic enemy placement, climactic encounters (like at point 7), and dynamic navigation.

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Engine Type
Unreal Engine 4
project type
OLD UNIVERSITY PROJECT
Start Date
June 11, 2019
completion date
October 11, 2019
project duration
4 Months

Gameplay Walkthrough

Level Development

Project Gallery

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Intentions

  1. Engaging Gameplay:
    Create a mix of platforming, combat, and puzzle-solving to maintain player interest throughout the level.
  2. Exploration and Reward:
    Encourage players to explore optional areas by placing enticing pickups like health and power-ups.
  3. Progressive Challenge:
    Gradually increase difficulty with more complex platforming, tougher enemies, and environmental hazards like pits.
  4. Memorable Encounters:
    Design climactic moments, such as boss fights or puzzles, to leave a lasting impression.
  5. Guided Navigation:
    Use the critical path to ensure players can progress without frustration while allowing room for curiosity-driven exploration.

Constraints

  1. Technical Limitations:
    • The level must fit within the constraints of a 2.5D framework, limiting camera angles and player perspective.
  2. Player Skill Variability:
    • The level should be accessible to new players while still offering depth and challenge for experienced ones.
  3. Level Length:
    • The level should not exceed a reasonable playtime to avoid fatigue, balancing complexity with pacing.
  4. Asset Usage:
    • Limit reliance on custom assets, focusing on reusable assets like platforms, enemies, and keys to optimize development time.
  5. Performance Optimization:
    • Avoid overloading the level with too many elements (enemies, moving platforms, etc.) to ensure smooth performance.
  6. Clarity of Goals:
    • Ensure players can easily identify critical objectives, such as locked doors, keys, and the path forward, through visual cues and layout.

Project Gallery

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Map Design Overview

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Conclusion

This 2.5D side-scroller level design successfully combines platforming, exploration, and combat to create an engaging and rewarding player experience. By balancing a clearly defined critical path with optional areas for discovery, the level encourages both progression and exploration. Gradually increasing challenges—through environmental hazards, tougher enemies, and key-locked puzzles—ensure players remain engaged while improving their skills. Careful attention to flow, visual cues, and pacing keeps the gameplay intuitive and enjoyable, while optimization constraints ensure technical feasibility.

The result is a thoughtfully crafted level that offers accessibility for newcomers, depth for seasoned players, and memorable moments through climactic encounters and dynamic gameplay elements. This design demonstrates a clear vision for delivering an exciting, balanced, and cohesive 2.5D gaming experience.

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Here you are the projects that I've worked on or I'm Currently working on. Furthermore, you can find links to all of my social media & platforms down below.

Thank you.

Rust & Rhythm (4v4 Team Deathmatch Map)
Level Blockout - Harborline Shipworks
Lighthouse Games
Dead Matter
The Rural Lake Cabins Project
Ruins of the Unexplored Project
The Lost Village Project
The Rising Dawn Project