Soul City
Overview
Soul City is a project developed entirely in Unreal Engine, a sci-fi FPS structured in two sections. The player is equipped with a pistol to face enemies with reactive AI, who will chase and attack on sight. The map offers strategic resources, including ammunition and six keys, essential for unlocking access to the second phase. Here, a final challenge will test the player's skills before completing the game.
In this project, I was responsible for level design, programming of game mechanics, development of enemy artificial intelligence, and sound design, overseeing every aspect to ensure an immersive and dynamic experience.
Level design
The map of Soul City is structured into four distinct areas, each designed to offer a balanced gameplay experience between tension, exploration, and strategy.
The level design of the first zone is characterized by narrow environments and branching paths that intersect and introduce the player to the game mechanics, creating ideal spaces for the placement of resources and the keys needed to advance.
This configuration encourages exploration, strategic risk management, and intelligent use of the layout to evade threats.
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The progression leads to an environmental puzzle, where the player must locate three hidden buttons to unlock access to the next area.
This phase introduces a challenge based on observation and interaction with the environment, adding variety to the gameplay.
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The third zone opens up with wider spaces, offering a change of pace and allowing the player to better observe the surrounding environment.
This visual breather not only reinforces the atmosphere but also prepares the player for the most intense phase of the game.
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The conclusive area is designed for combat, with a wide arena that guarantees freedom of movement without reducing tension.
The strategic positioning of enemies forces the player to exploit the environment tactically to survive the final confrontation.
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Sound Design
In the first phase, the sound focus is on environmental effects and the player's interactions with the environment. Every sound, from the noise of footsteps on different surfaces to the audible feedback of buttons activated in the environmental puzzle, has been carefully designed to enhance the sense of presence and spatial awareness. The absence of background music emphasizes the feeling of tension and isolation, urging the player to concentrate on environmental sounds to perceive potential threats.
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In the second phase, the sound design evolves with the introduction of a dynamic soundtrack, crafted to accompany the growth of narrative and visual intensity. The background music reinforces the cinematic character of the area, amplifying the sense of vastness and preparing the player for the final climax. The integration between environmental sound effects and the soundtrack helps to intensify the atmosphere, guiding the player's emotional experience until the conclusion of the level.
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