AFTERMATH

Unity Project

Prototype Version of the global level

ROLES

Level Designer

Narrative Designer

Game Designer

INSPIRATIONS

Amnesia excels with its oppressive atmosphere, constant tension, claustrophobic environments, invisible threats, and its ability to immerse players in palpable fear—qualities that align closely with the experience of navigating a confined and perilous underground complex.

Outlast features intense, unyielding suspense, tight and confining environments, and the ever-present danger of being chased by horrifying adversaries, all of which evoke a strong sense of dread and urgency akin to escaping from a perilous underground lair.

Alien: Isolation is praised for its intense fear, claustrophobic environments, and the relentless, unpredictable threat of a lethal alien, all of which amplify the feeling of dread and survival similar to escaping a dangerous underground maze.

THE PROJECT

Mechanics

The player embodies a 9-year-old girl who can :

hide under desks
run, climb certain heights
change radio frequencies (walkie-talkie)
push and pull objects
pick up items.

Pitch

The player takes on the role of a young girl trapped in an underground complex inhabited by a bloodthirsty creature. The objective is to find a way to escape without ever being detected.

Objectives

Create an adventure/puzzle game in the horror/thriller genre
Keep the players on the edge of their seats for 10 minutes

Constraints

Create the level within a set time limit
First experience with the horror genre

THE LEVEL LAYOUT

Guide for structuring the overall level design
Clear navigation and challenge balancing.

First Iteration

Determine Metrics
Try out things in the engine

In Aftermath, some areas are ravaged by an earthquake and others by the creature, making it fun and challenging to create.

The Beats

This represents the timeline for the entirety of the level

We structured the level with beats to control:

the balancing and difficulty of the level
the pace and narrative tension

Top Down

The Start

The End

Through exploration, players can collect readable items and uncover environmental storytelling, supporting the intended experience design goals

The level splits into exploration (Encased in blue), teaching basic mechanics, and escape (Encased in red), focusing on surviving the creature.

PLAYER GUIDANCE & IMMERSION

Lighting Intention

To keep the player immersed, each area required a tailored approach to lighting.
To guide the lighting artist, I conducted multiple light iterations across various zones.

The lights in Aftermath serve to:

Heighten anxiety
Guide player path
Unveil key elements
Set narrative tone

Yellow Piping

If the player is attentive to the surrounding environment, he will notice that the yellow piping is his most faithful ally, guiding him throughout his journey.

Leading Lines

Leading lines naturally guide the player, helping them navigate intuitively and discover points of interest.

U.I

Although in Aftermath, the player can hide under any surfaces they can crouch beneath, the UI provides support.

Collectibles

Collectibles in Aftermath:

Enhance exploration
Reward player curiosity
Encourage thorough exploration
Provide additional narrative insights

DETAILED WALKTHROUGH

First Floor

During the initial phase, or exploration phase, the player learns the basic mechanics and must solve a few puzzles. There is no defeat during this phase.

The Basement

The Basement alternates between exploration and puzzles, familiarizing the player with the newly learned mechanics from the first floor and preparing them for the next phase, the pursuit phase.

The Escape (WIP)