In the world of video games, level design plays a crucial role in shaping the player’s experience and guiding their journey. It goes beyond mere aesthetics, as it directly influences the decisions players make throughout the game. In this blog post, we delve into the fascinating realm of level design and its impact on player decision-making and creation of the game “Elysium’s Edge: The Resolution” as well as its connection in exploring the relationship between level design and player decision-making.
Understanding the Power of Level Design:
Level design encompasses the creation of environments, puzzles, challenges, and narrative elements within a game. It serves as the canvas on which players navigate, explore, and ultimately make choices that shape their unique journey. “Elysium’s Edge: The Resolution” is a work in progress which is themed on how level design can influence and engage players through its immersive and thought-provoking world.
The Game – Unraveling the Story:
At the heart of “Elysium’s Edge: The Resolution” lies a tale of betrayal, forgotten memories, and the quest for redemption. The protagonist, suffering from amnesia, embarks on a journey to regain their sense of self, unveiling the truth hidden within the depths of their subconscious. As players delve into this enigmatic narrative, they uncover fragments of the past, encountering moral dilemmas, and forging relationships with intriguing characters.
The Levels and how they aim to explore the relationship between level design and player decision making:
The Enigmatic Garden:
One of the levels in “Elysium’s Edge: The Resolution” is the Enigmatic Garden. This level showcases how level design impacts player decision-making. The sprawling garden, filled with peculiar flora and fauna, presents players with multiple paths and hidden secrets to uncover. The design encourages exploration and allows players to make choices about where to go and what to investigate. Each decision made in this level shapes the player’s experience and understanding of the game world.
Puzzles and Challenges:
Level design also influences the puzzles and challenges that players encounter. In “Elysium’s Edge: The Resolution,” the Enigmatic Garden features botanical-themed puzzles that require players to think critically and make decisions about how to solve them. The design of these puzzles provides players with multiple approaches or solutions, empowering them to make decisions based on their playstyle or problem-solving preferences. These choices lead to different outcomes and provide a sense of agency, enhancing the player’s engagement with the game.
Environmental Hazards and Rewards:
The Enigmatic Garden presents players with environmental hazards such as thorny vines and poisonous plants* etc. Level design determines the placement and properties of these hazards, creating choices for players on how to navigate and overcome them. Players must decide whether to find an alternative, safer route or take a riskier shortcut. Additionally, the garden offers hidden rewards and collectibles, enticing players to make choices about exploring and searching for these valuable items. These choices provide immediate gratification and incentivize thorough exploration.
Narrative Implications:
Level design in “Elysium’s Edge: The Resolution” extends beyond gameplay mechanics. It serves as a storytelling tool, revealing fragments of the protagonist’s past and weaving a narrative that evolves based on player decisions or their findings. The Enigmatic Garden, with its hidden narrative clues and fragmented memories, invites players to make choices on which elements to prioritize. These choices influence the player’s emotional investment in the story and shape their decision-making throughout the game.
My Take…
“Elysium’s Edge: The Resolution” aims to exemplify how level design impacts player decision-making. The Enigmatic Garden and other levels within the game showcase the power of level design to shape exploration, puzzle-solving, hazard management, and narrative progression. Through thoughtful and intentional level design, the game invites players to engage, make choices, and immerse themselves in a captivating world.
As players venture through the intricately designed levels, they discover that their decisions have meaning, impacting their understanding of the story, character development, and overall gameplay experience.
So, take a step into the world of “Elysium’s Edge: The Resolution” and experience firsthand how level design can transform a game into an unforgettable journey of choices, challenges, and self-discovery.