Solo Assignment: Zelda-Like Level

“ZELDA MUSIQUE”

References

 

The final project for my Level Design program was to create a blocky for a single level with the scale and scope of a a DLC or expansion for a typical AAA adventure game, such as The Legend of Zelda. We were required to work in Unity Engine. We had approximately one month to make this happen from scratch, although we could use Unity presets for our 3Cs (character, camera, controls). It is named “Zelda Musique“ because it involves musical puzzles, a theme common in the franchise.

Highlights from the level. Unmute to experience the musical puzzles. Full walkthrough below.

Tasks:

  • Game Design (conceive, prototype + test ingredients)

  • Level Design (design + build blocky of entire level)

  • Scripting (code behaviour of own game ingredients + level script)

Requirements / Restrictions:

  • Unity Engine

  • Approx 1 month

  • 5-7 minute golden path

  • Up to 45 mins of additional content

  • No combat (except placeholder enemies)

  • Inspired by a typical AAA 3D adventure game (Zelda)

  • Unique ingredients / puzzles required

  • Set Piece (exotic gameplay) required

  • Level script (C#) required

Early design concept

Elements Realized:

  • 6-minute golden path, approx 15 mins of extra content

  • 1 encounter with placeholder enemies

  • 5 new game ingredients designed and/or scripted by me

    • Bouncy block which launches player into the air (self destructs, respawns & plays music)

    • Moving platform (can move in any direction, even diagonal in 3D space)

    • Escalator with optional direction and speed

    • Red spikes (obstacle, found on some escalators)

    • Pressure plate (button pressed when player stands on it)

  • 2 new puzzle designs

    • Retrieve the music box

      • Player stands on one of two pressure plates to change the direction of conveyors

      • Player must move music box from one conveyor to the next by switching conveyors to correct direction

      • If conveyors are going the wrong way the box will fall in a fountain and the puzzle resets

      • If the player is successful the music box is deposited next to the fountain and becomes a collectible

    • Play the tune

      • The player must find all music boxes and return them to the central plaza

      • When player stands on pressure plate music box plays

      • Player must determine correct order and stand on plates in order

      • Musical tune provides feedback

      • Central music box plays entire correct tune for player reference

  • 4 collectibles (3D modeling + scripting by me):

    • Music box (puzzle item)

    • Rupee

    • Heart (Coeur)

    • Shield

  • Scripted systems (design + scripting)

    • Level script (puzzle statuses, moving wall, hearts, rupees, etc.)

    • Music system (allows objects to play from sound-bank of music notes)

    • Damage system (enemies reduce hearts, less damage if shield was found)

  • Exotic gameplay: special version of the escalator with increased size and difficulty

Collaboration:

During production we were encouraged to have our levels reviewed by peers and we were allowed to use 1-2 elements from another person’s project (as long as our principal ingredients were made by ourselves).

My moving platforms, bouncy blocks and drop shadow under character were shared with other students.

Many thanks to Quentin Amblard who created the wonderful conveyor belts which I used in some of my puzzles.

full Walkthrough