Level & Puzzle Design
Blueprint Legend
Tutorial Level
World 1
World 2
World 3
A list of repeated symbols used in blueprints for level layouts and designs, and what they represent.
Logic puzzle
The door to the next room is locked
There is a passcode on the door that says [-] [-] [12] [15] [3] [11] [5] [4]
Each number represents a letter in the alphabet
A = 1 B = 2 C = 3 etc.
The player will have a reference sheet they can interact with and view to ease the difficulty of the puzzle
The passcode currently spells [-] [-] [L] [O] [C] [K] [E] [D]
The player must enter the correct two numbers in front of the passcode
The correct two numbers are [21] [14]
Correct passcode should say [21] [14] [12] [15] [3] [11] [5] [4]
After the player enters the correct numbers, the numbers change into letters, revealing what the numbers spell out [U] [N] [L] [O] [C] [K] [E] [D]
Gyoza hints: “I really wish this door were unlocked… what do we do lil’ bro?”
Sample lock layout
Blank slots can be 0’s, dashes (-), or empty
Sample reference sheet for puzzle
Could potentially be split up into three sections, or all on one sheet
Moving Platform Puzzle
Each of the moving platforms are equally spaced away from each other
The space between the platform must be large enough so it requires the player to use the dash mechanic
The motion of the platforms is restricted within the bounds of the room, following along the x-axis
The platforms (from bottom to top) will move with increasing speed, which makes the puzzle more difficult as the player gets farther into the puzzle
Bottom platform = slowest platform
Top platform = fastest platform
The total number of platforms for this puzzle is yet to be determined
Optional Rhythm Puzzle
Upon entering this puzzle room, the player is faced with:
An interactive object (TV / metronome / bouncy guy)
A set of buttons with letters on them (buttons representing C major scale)
A light up box (currently there are no lights)
In this room, the puzzle is initiated when the player interacts with the metronome
The metronome starts counting as a normal metronome would, and the letters on the C major scale light up
When the letters light up, it plays the corresponding note out loud
There will be three sequences that the player must replicate
If a sequence is played correctly, the light will turn green with a ✓
If a sequence is played incorrectly, the light will turn red with an X
If the player plays a sequence incorrectly:
The metronome will turn off
The player will have to interact with the metronome again to restart the puzzle, and play each musical sequence from the beginning
A musical sequence is only evaluated after the player has played the same amount of notes corresponding to the pass of that iteration
Example Puzzle
1st Round → A B C D
Player must play the same number of notes initially played for this sequence for it to be evaluated on if it is correct/incorrect
In this case, the player must play 4 notes to be evaluated
If player does not play the same number of notes, (only plays A B C) the puzzle will time out on its own after [defined time] since the start of the puzzle
After all three musical sequences have been played correctly by the player, a story element is revealed to the player
Puzzle Solution
1st Round → A C D C D
2nd Round → C D G F B D C
3rd Round → D A G F E D F C E D F C
Sliding Tutorial
Upon entering the floor, the player is introduced to a “tutorial” on sliding floors
It is a small room and a safe space with no enemies, so the player is free to test out the mechanic until they are comfortable with it
During the “tutorial”, the player must collect the interactive object before proceeding to the rest of the level
The entrance to the rest of the level is blocked off until the player collects the interactive object, which ensures that player understands mechanic
Tutorial Start
Solution
Player starts on Side A
Player must slide to Side B by moving right along any of the sliding spaces with no obstructions blocking the path (see 1 on solution diagram)
Player navigates to the top right of the sliding surface, and moves left, causing them to halt mid-slide due to an obstruction (see 2 on solution diagram)
Player navigates down, allowing them to pass through / collect the interactive object (see 3 on solution diagram). Upon collection, the entrance to the rest of the level is unlocked.
Player can now access the rest of floor 2
World Mechanics
Player moves in the direction they are facing when sliding begins
Player cannot change the direction they are facing while sliding
Player can change the direction they are facing if on a non-sliding surface or when met with an obstruction
One way barriers act as an obstruction on one side, but can be passed through from the opposite side of the obstruction (see sliding solution)
Boss spawns upon the following conditions:
At least one mob is defeated (1 of 3)
Logic puzzle must be complete (1 of 1, located in room C)
World Mechanics
Camera shift when the player enters this area
Player can access all rooms, as long as the correct path is followed
Player cannot get stuck / trapped in any area of the sliding floor
Requires testing as there may be errors that we have not noticed or taken note of
Include a “reset” button that takes player to the start position for efficient testing
Must ensure that the solutions are discoverable by players with no hints
In boss spawn area, add an indicator of what needs to be done (1 mob, 1 puzzle)
When the boss spawns, slippery floor disappears
Light-up tile puzzle
Player must light up all platforms by stepping on tiles in a specific order
There will be a “reset” button near the puzzle itself
When the puzzle is complete, an audio cue plays, and Mob B2 spawns
Sokoban Puzzle
This room may be completed in at little as 12 moves
There will be a “reset” button, that teleports player to the start of the room and places all boxes in their original places
Reset button could either be a keybind (x) or an on screen UI element
Requires testing
Puzzle is registered as solved when all boxes are placed in their correct positions
