Mystical Scales: The Pangolin’s Odyssey
I joined a Game Off 2023 project themed "Scales," collaborating with a team of six. I was invited to join the team a week before the jam's conclusion due to some personnel issues they were facing. As the player, you assume the role of a legendary scale craftsman, guiding the pangolin tribe through a challenging adventure.
Project Type
Game Jam
Platform
PC
Engine
Unity
Role(s)
Environment Decorator
Narrative designer
Video Demo
Features
Idea of the game
Inspired by JackSmith, this game features a creature relying on scales for protection, aligning with the "Scales" theme. For battle scenes, we explored reverse tower defense mechanics and movement-focused gameplay (e.g., dodging), ultimately choosing an auto-battle system similar to Team Fight Tactics. Collectibles were included as scores due to time constraints, though initially planned for unlocking shop features and upgrades.
JackSmith Demo
Environment design and battle scene
First Level
Final Level
The game consists of three levels, each aiming to evoke different feelings with a limited set of assets. The first two levels create a forest ambiance with trees and flowers, depicting a natural landscape. In the final Boss challenge, a distinctive mushroom element is incorporated, seeking to add a touch of magic to the game. Overall, our game's scene design aims to provide players with a diverse and colorful adventure experience.
Narrative concept
In this fantastical adventure, the pangolin tribe's homeland faces an unprecedented threat from invading Komodo dragons. As a legendary scale craftsman, players take on the role of an artist and strategist, crafting magical "Chroma Scales" to enhance the pangolins' combat abilities. The journey unfolds in the magical scale workshop, where players collaborate with the tribe to defend their land, blending strategy and creativity in a vibrant, fantasy-filled world.
Unrealized Features
Due to time constraints, features like character upgrades and skill unlocks could not be fully implemented. In future iterations, mechanics such as exploring hidden sanctuaries, discovering ancient scale-crafting techniques, and overcoming unique environmental challenges could enhance gameplay. These upgrades would not only expand the pangolin's abilities but also deepen the bond between player and character, transforming crafting into a spiritual journey.
Development Constraints
With limited resources and the absence of a dedicated 2D artist, AI-generated images were used to bring the story to life. This approach allowed for effective storytelling despite the constraints, enabling the narrative to be segmented and delivered in an engaging manner.
Reflections on AI-Generated Content
Opinions on AI-generated art and audio vary widely—some celebrate its innovation, while others find it less appealing. Despite my efforts to achieve a cohesive art style, I recognize that I fell short this time. Moving forward, I plan to approach the use of AI tools with greater care, respecting the diverse perspectives on AI-generated content.
Potential Improvements and Ideas
Had I joined the team earlier and contributed to the mechanics, here are some features I would have proposed:
- Expanded Crafting System: Allow players to craft diverse equipment such as weapons, footwear, hats, and gloves, with each piece displayed during battles. The quality and abilities of the equipment would be influenced by the raw materials used.
- Automated Crafting: Unlock an auto-crafting feature after completing 10 manual crafting sessions, with results based on the quality of the player’s previous work.
- Enhanced Battle Dynamics: Introduce more dynamic battle scenes with skills, commands, additional characters, and expanded storylines to enrich gameplay.
- Hardcore Difficulty Mode: Add a challenging mode where achieving perfect scores (five 100% ratings) requires exceptional skill and precision.
Built in Framer
Created by Chih I Chou @2024