The Dawn of a Prototype

Over the past three days I have started working on a grey box prototype of the game, completing a flying-section level in the process. These are the first impressions in image and video of how the flying levels’ game mechanics could look in a full implementation of the design.

The player follows the trail of purple antigravity material. The more of this material is picked up, the less gravity acts on the kite and its passengers (signified by the white capsules here). They also increase the maximum health when enough of it… — The player follows the trail of purple antigravity material. The more of this material is picked up, the less gravity acts on the kite and its passengers (signified by the white capsules here). They also increase the maximum health when enough of it is collected.

The kite can be controlled by steering left and right and panning up and down. The latter either increases both vertical and horizontal speed or decreases both, depending on the panning angle.

In the process of floating down through the level, players must avoid debris that will damage them. If they run out of health, the level will restart, but with every restart, there is an increased chance that one of the townspeople that was rescued … — In the process of floating down through the level, players must avoid debris that will damage them. If they run out of health, the level will restart, but with every restart, there is an increased chance that one of the townspeople that was rescued in the previous levels may fall from the rope and be permanently lost in the subsequent play through.

The ultimate goal of the flying levels is to reach one of the next islands where the main gameplay elements of the full game are situated. In this case, there are two levels to choose from.

This is a play through of the finished greybox level.

Development DiaryFynn Mollenhauer10 December 2019Flight of the Icarus, PrototypeComment