OVERVIEW
Unnecessary Evil is a puzzle-platformer in which the player alternates control between five different characters to guide them toward the exit. In order to solve some puzzles, the player can choose to sacrifice characters. This game was made in 72 hours for the Ludum Dare 43.
GAME DESIGN
People playing this game know that it was created for the Ludum Dare with the theme "Sacrifices must be made". Knowing that, players create a set of expectations of what the game will be. We wanted to surprise them by playing with these expectations.
To do that, we created four puzzles, each having two solutions. The first one seems the most obvious and requires the player to sacrifice at least one of his allies (for example, by using his body as a platform to jump over spikes). The second one is only possible if nobody has been previously sacrificed and if the player knows each character's particularity (Hodur can push blocs, Bonny-chan jumps higher...). A fifth and last puzzle can only be resolved if nobody was sacrificed during the game.
Having this expectation that "Sacrifices must be made", players first take the easy way and sacrifice characters to progress in the game, until they get stuck on the last puzzle. There, they have to turn their thinking around and find a way to do the puzzle without killing anyone.
To do that, we created four puzzles, each having two solutions. The first one seems the most obvious and requires the player to sacrifice at least one of his allies (for example, by using his body as a platform to jump over spikes). The second one is only possible if nobody has been previously sacrificed and if the player knows each character's particularity (Hodur can push blocs, Bonny-chan jumps higher...). A fifth and last puzzle can only be resolved if nobody was sacrificed during the game.
Having this expectation that "Sacrifices must be made", players first take the easy way and sacrifice characters to progress in the game, until they get stuck on the last puzzle. There, they have to turn their thinking around and find a way to do the puzzle without killing anyone.
SKILLS
- Designing puzzles with different solutions based on its starting conditions (number and capabilities of the available characters)
- Designing a replayable game, playing with players previous knowledge and expectations
- Writing dialogues
- Designing and producing UI
- Working under short time constraints
- Designing a replayable game, playing with players previous knowledge and expectations
- Writing dialogues
- Designing and producing UI
- Working under short time constraints
PLAY