Project A

Title: "Planet escape"

Overview:

"Planet escape" is a multi-level, side-scrolling platformer set on an alien planet. The player navigates a space explorer through treacherous terrain, collecting alien artifacts, and avoiding or defeating extraterrestrial creatures to reach the spaceship before the planet's rotation plunges the area into extreme cold.

Objective:

• Main Objective: Reach the spaceship before the timer runs out, signifying the planet's dangerous temperature drop.
• Secondary Objectives: Collect all alien artifacts and defeat or evade alien creatures for a high score.

Level Design:

Start Point:

• The level begins at the crash site of a small exploration rover. A brief message instructs the player: "Use arrow keys to move, space to jump. Reach your spaceship before nightfall!"

Section 1: Alien Foothills

• Terrain: Gently rolling hills with alien flora, introducing the player to basic movements.
• Obstacles: Small craters and geysers ejecting cold gas, which resets the player to the start of the section if touched.
• Collectibles: Alien artifacts that glow, encouraging exploration and jumping.
• Enemies: None, focusing the player on mastering movement in the alien environment.

Transition: Escalating Extraterrestrial Challenges

• Terrain: Introduce floating rock platforms and terrain with varying elevations.
• Obstacles: Unstable ground that collapses after a short period and larger craters.
• Collectibles: More challenging artifact placements, including on floating rocks.
• Enemies: Static alien sentinels that can be avoided or deactivated with a well-timed jump.

Section 2: The Crystal Caverns

• Terrain: A series of interconnected caves with luminescent crystals.
• Obstacles: Sharp crystal formations that defeat the player on contact, demanding precise jumping and movement.
• Collectibles: Rare crystals acting as high-value artifacts, placed in risky locations.
• Enemies: Patrolling alien creatures with predictable patterns, requiring timing to avoid or disable.

Section 3: The Final Run

• Terrain: A mixture of open terrain and tight cave sections, leading to the dramatic climax.
• Obstacles: Moving rock platforms over lava flows, requiring quick reflexes.
• Collectibles: The last set of artifacts, leading up to the ultimate challenge.
• Enemies: A larger alien guardian blocks the path to the spaceship, requiring multiple interactions to bypass.

End Point:

• The spaceship, acting as the level's finish line, situated on a launchpad illuminated by emergency lights. Upon reaching the spaceship, the player's time and score, including bonuses for remaining time and artifacts collected, are displayed.

Implementation Tips:

• Unity's 2D Platformer Microgame Kit: Use the kit's assets to represent platforms, enemies, and collectibles, customizing them to fit the alien planet theme.
• Inkscape: Draft the level layout with Inkscape, focusing on alien aesthetics for terrain and obstacles. Clearly mark sections, enemy paths, and artifact locations.
• Simplicity and Testing: Maintain simplicity in design and frequently test the level. Adjust based on player feedback to ensure the level remains engaging and balanced.

Testing & Iteration:

• Playtesting: Crucial for identifying issues with gameplay, such as difficulty spikes or unclear objectives.
• Feedback: Gather feedback from diverse players and be willing to refine the level design to enhance the play experience.