LDD - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

  • Title: A New Dawn
  • Description: Adira chases a deer
  • Duration: 7m
  • Reference: src/LevelDesign/Chapter1Level.tscn

1. Description

1.1. Restrictions

  1. Level must be located by the Campsite and Moorlands
  2. Quest/day must start with Adira's introduction
  3. Player must be introduced to:
    • Basic Commands (Movement, Attack, Roll)
    • Charge Attack
    • Basic enemies (Ant, Ant2)
    • Platforming
  4. Player must chase the Deer
  5. Player must fail the hunt.
  6. Torion must be introduced.
  7. Existence of other tribesmen must be presented.

1.2. Goals

  1. Introduction of basic commands
  2. Include many optional rewards (hidden in bushes)
  3. Introduce Leaf Carpet mechanic
  4. Help the player become more familiar with overall controls and roll ranges.
  5. Make an engaging chase scene.
  6. Teach the player that Adira's moveset will be unlocked and improved throughout the game.

1.3. List of Scenes

  1. Chapter start
  2. Deer reappears, then jumps through a big hole.
  3. Tribesmen introduction. [suggestion] Hunting other animals by using Charge Attack.
  4. [optional] Second tribesmen scene where Adira observes and learns how to use the Charge Attack.
  5. Deer platform chase start
  6. End of chase scene. [Suggestion] Adira fails to capture the deer, and Torion shows up.

2. Setting

2.1. Locations - World Areas

  1. Campsite
  2. Moorlands

2.2. Time of Day

  1. Chapter start: Morning
  2. After deer chase ends: Afternoon

3. Resources

3.1. Enemy List

  1. meleeBasic
  2. meleeBasic2

3.2. Hazard List

  1. Leaf Carpet
  2. Pitfalls
  3. Regular bushes
  4. Treasure bushes (can be replaced by chests)

3.3. Collectibles

  1. None

4. Walkthrough

layout

4.1. Deer Scene 1 - Adira Introduction

campsite
Goal: Introduce Adira to the player and establish the starting point of her journey.

Cutscene

The chapter begins with a cinematic introduction showcasing a camera pan through the moorlands from the right to left, then focusing on a deer grazing the soil. Suddenly, Adira charges at the Deer with her spear raised from inside a bush (Bush particles disperse as does sound of rustling), spooking the deer away. Once the deer is no longer in sight, the player is free to roam the area.

Gameplay Mechanics Unlocked:

  • Basic Attack
  • Rolling
  • Toggle Menu

Dialogue/Internal Monologue

After the deer has fled:

  • Adira (internal monologue): “A buck this size... it’s rare to see one here.”
  • Adira (internal monologue): “Torion’s traps may catch birds and hares, but a deer like this will keep us fed for days.”

4.2. Attack Tutorial

moorlands

Goal: Teach the player how to use the Basic Attack in a safe environment.

Room Description:
The player is introduced to an enemy standing behind a bush that blocks their path. To progress, the player must use their Basic Attack to clear the bush.

HUD Prompts

  • “Press [Key] to attack.”

Cutscene

N/A

Dialogue/Internal Monologue

N/A

4.3. Room 3

moorlands

Goal: Encourage exploration and present opportunities for players to discover "roll over pits" as a mechanic before the tutorial.

Room Description:
This larger room provides a linear path, filled with possible shortcuts for players who experiment with the roll mechanic over pitfalls. Hidden rewards incentivize exploration, while a stronger enemy is introduced to raise the stakes.

Key Features:

  • Optional exploration paths
  • Rewards for exploring the roll action
  • A tougher enemy that takes more hits to be defeated (Rabbit)

Cutscene

N/A

Dialogue/Internal Monologue

N/A

HUD Prompts

  • “Press [Key] to roll.”

4.4. Deer Scene 2 - Jumps Through Hole

moorlands
Goal: Advance the narrative by presenting the deer as the player's target and presenting a pitfall that is too large to roll across.

Cutscene

A cinematic plays where Adira spots the deer and sets her sights on it. Adira sprints towards the Deer again but the deer escapes by jumping across a wide gap, forcing Adira to find an alternate route. This event highlights Adira's determination and resourcefulness despite her lack of experience as a hunter.

Dialogue/Internal Monologue

  • Adira (internal monologue): “There it is!"

Once the Deer has cleared the long gap.

  • Adira (internal monologue): "(Sigh) Too far to jump. I need to find another way.”

4.5. Rolling Over Pits Tutorial

moorlands

Goal: Teach the roll over pitfalls mechanic in a controlled and visually clear setting.

Room Description:
This room features a straightforward design where rolling over a pit is required to progress. There will be 2 Ant enemies.

Cutscene

N/A

Dialogue/Internal Monologue

N/A

HUD Prompts

N/A

4.6. Room 5

moorlands

Goal: Introduce a combination of combat and rolling mechanics. Players must be encouraged to plan ahead while getting more comfortable with multiple inputs in a short period of time.

Room Description:
Enemies are strategically placed to activate only when the player moves closer, requiring them to roll over pits to engage.

Cutscene

N/A

Dialogue/Internal Monologue

N/A

HUD Prompts

N/A

4.7. Room 7 - Leaf Carpet Introduction

moorlands
Goal: Introduce the Leaf Carpet mechanic in an easy-to-read environment.

Room Description:
This room focuses on teaching the player how Leaf Carpets work, with clear visual indicators and no external threats.

Cutscene

N/A

Dialogue/Internal Monologue

N/A

HUD Prompts

N/A - It's very obvious and would be otherwise spoonfeeding the player.

4.8. Room 8 - Leaf Carpet 2

moorlands
Goal: Reinforce Leaf Carpet mechanics by slightly increasing the challenge.

Room Description:
The room requires players to use multiple Leaf Carpets in a short period of time. This helps them better understand the timing and reinforces the visual differences between the tiles.

Cutscene

N/A

Dialogue/Internal Monologue

N/A

HUD Prompts

N/A

4.9. Room 9 - Tribesmen Scene - Introduction

moorlands

Goal: Introduce the tribesmen and foreshadow the Charge Attack mechanic.

  • Leaf Carpet + Rolling
  • Leaf Carpet + Combat
  • Rolling + Leaf Carpet

Cutscene

A cinematic shows Adira observing tribesmen from afar. Two men are looking after an injured boy. Once they leave, Adira must traverse platforms, by the time she gets to their location, they have gone.

Dialogue/Internal Monologue

Camera pans to the tribespeople (2 males & a boy) in the top right who are nursing their injured son.

  • Adira (internal monologue): "A tribe... why are they here?"
  • Adira (internal monologue): "And what's happened to that boy?"

Pans back to Adira

  • Adira (internal monologue): "I can’t let the deer get away.”
  • Adira (internal monologue): "Torion will be so mad.”

HUD Prompts

N/A

4.10. Room 10 - Breakable Object Scene - Charge Attack Intro

moorlands

Goal: Introduce the Charge Attack through a breakable obstacle.

Room Description:

Adira comes into a room that has an obstacle in the way. A simple Spear tap attack won't be enough to break through it, so the Player has to work out that the charge and release attack is the only way to break it down. When using the simple tap attack, the obstacle simply shudders and remains in tact.

Cutscene

N/A

Dialogue/Internal Monologue

N/A

HUD Prompts

N/A

4.11. Room 11 - Charge Attack Tutorial

moorlands

Goal: Teach the player how to use the Charge Attack in an isolated, focused setting.

Room Description:
The player practices using the Charge Attack to defeat rabbits who are weak to this mechanic.

Cutscene

N/A

Dialogue/Internal Monologue

N/A

HUD Prompts

N/A

4.12. Room 12 - Leaf Carpet Arena

moorlands

Goal: Combine combat and mechanics in a controlled arena environment.

Room Description:
A combat arena locks the player inside a specific area until they defeat multiple waves of enemies. This will be the first main arena of the game and combat will be carried out by the player as part of 3 waves. Enemies will drop from above, and the Player will need to balance fighting with pit avoidance.

Original Notes (Not applicable): If this is the very first arena of the game and combat against basic enemies is still challenging for the player, the arena's layout must be very simple (square layout with no hazards) with three waves of enemies.
Otherwise, this arena shall utilize the Leaf Carpet as a way to increase the challenge and bring together all the elements taught to the player so far.

4.13. Room 13 - Deer Scene 3 - Chase Start

moorlands

Goal: Transition into an active chase sequence.

Scene Description:
Adira catches up to the deer, triggering a chase. This time, the gap between platforms is small enough for Adira to jump and follow. The deer is always in arms distance and will adapt to the pace of the Player - this could be slow to fast.

4.14. Room 14 - Chase Platform Challenge

moorlands

Goal: Challenge the player with platforming sequences during the chase.

Room Description:
The deer pauses at three designated spots, guiding the player to their next objective. Players must combine rolling and precise timing on Leaf Carpets to progress. No enemies are present to maintain the fast pace and focus on platforming.

4.15. Room 15 - Deer Scene 4 - End

moorlands

Goal: Conclude the deer chase arc and advance the story.

Cutscene

Adira fails to capture the deer, and it flies off. Torion's voice bellows out to the fear of Adira where he arrives to tell her off before they head back to Camp.

Dialogue/Internal Monologue

Before the deer has fled:

  • Adira (internal monologue): “I've got you now!”

After the deer has fled:

  • Adira (internal monologue): “Noo! Gone... I lost it.” (sighs) “Torion’s going to-”
  • Torion: “ADIRA!!!”
  • Adira (internal monologue): “...”

Torion walks over to Adira.

  • Torion: “You walk away from me. I tell you to stay, yet you do not listen.”
  • Adira: “I saw a deer. A big one. It could have fed us for days.”
  • Torion: “And now it feeds nothing. You think hunting is about chasing? Hunting is about waiting. Patience.”
  • Adira: “I know how to hunt.”
  • Torion: “You know how to chase. Not hunt. It is not the same. One day, when I am gone, you will need to know the difference.”
  • Adira: “I’m sorry.”
  • Torion: “... Come. The day grows dark.”

4.16. Room 16 - Camp Scene - Chapter End

moorlands

Goal: Provide exposition and character development.

Scene Description:
At the camp, Adira and Torion discuss:

  • Strange events in the moorlands
  • Torion’s discomfort with living in a tribal setting
  • Torion's relationship with Adira and its complexities
  • Better showcasing Adira's and Torion's personalities

Dialogue/Internal Monologue

  • Torion: “You do not understand how it works. Hunting is waiting, not chasing.”
  • *Adira *: “I know!”
  • Torion: “You do not. If it were not for me, our bellies would be empty tonight.”
  • Adira: “...”
  • Torion: “The deer should not have been here. Something chased it into the moorlands.”
  • Adira: “By what?”
  • Torion: “I hope we will not find out.”
  • Adira: “...”
  • Torion: “It is late, make sure you are up bright and early.”
  • Torion: “I have many things to teach you about the wild.”
  • Torion: “If you are late, I will be gone.”