Eclipse Forest
Darkness rules, shrouding myths and secrets. As the eternal eclipse rises and light pierces the shadows, some truths are better left unseen.
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PROTOTYPE
In Eclipse Forest, the world transforms with the passing of time. The day-night system, built using a delegate-based setup, lets creatures shift their behavior—calm during the day but aggressive and hostile at night—adding depth to the environment.
Exploration is key, but survival isn’t just about fighting. There are several NPCs Hiding inside Eclipse Forest each with their own story to tell. Using a simple and intuitive dialogue system, players can interact with these characters to uncover secrets and progress through the game.
This project is an unfinished prototype I worked on during my senior year. I really enjoyed creating it and exploring the ideas behind it.
Game Type
( Octopath Traveler Style. Characters and most objects are in 2D, while terrain and buildings are in 3D. )
Concept
This is a world veiled by alternating night and eclipses. The player takes on the role of a protagonist trapped in a dark forest, armed only with a torch to find a way out. However, the forest harbors numerous dangers...
Game Feel
Monsters can appear at any time in the shadows of the forest to attack the player. Visibility is constrained, creating a sense of pressure while exploring. Darkness symbolizes the unknown and danger, while light offers confidence and warmth, like campfires and lanterns. The gameplay rhythm is adjusted through the use of light in levels.
Game Mechanism
The gameplay is similar to Kingdom: New Lands, but with a stronger focus on exploration and storytelling rather than building. The player’s respawn point is at the campfire. Facing challenges while exploring can lead to death, but with accumulated experience and camp upgrades, the player can uncover the secrets of the map and break the seals to move to the next area.
It’s similar to a 3D platformer but features highly dense levels. Each map integrates multiple stages, blending them into a semi-open world with a carefully crafted progression. These elements come together through the use of darkness or obstacles to limit the player's vision.
The game also features:
- NPC-assisted combat (up to 3 companions).
- A map centered around the campfire, encouraging outward exploration.
- Story progression and light puzzle-solving.
Core Loop
Main Loop:
- Exploration
- Combat
- Unlocking and Upgrading
- Advancing the Story
Level Loop:
- Establishing a new camp
- Advancing the story
- Breaking seals
- Facing the final boss
Worldview & Story
Nightshade is a world perpetually shrouded by an eclipse. Thousands of years ago, a demigod descended upon this land. The sun was scorching, and the earth burned like fire. To cool the world and allow life to flourish, the demigod sealed the moon, Mosiruh, placing it between the planet and the sun. His bloodline became the rulers of this land.
A seemingly ordinary girl, fleeing pursuers, falls into an ancient portal and finds herself in this shadowed world. No matter how she tries, she cannot escape the eerie forest. To return to her world, she must uncover the ancient seals. Along the way, she encounters other travelers trapped in this place. Through mutual assistance, they might stand a chance at unraveling the secrets of this land. Navigate through glowing moss, ghosts, and nocturnal creatures. Light is your weapon, but it also draws the gaze of the dark...
"Betrayal... Despair... The forgotten gaze upon solitude..." whispers the forest.
2023-5
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