Game Designer
The Tale of Aztec
Project Type
Game, Unreal Engine 5
Date
This is a first-person exploratory horror game where we strive to create an immersive atmospheric experience. Players take on the role of an amnesiac trapped in an unknown terrifying location, filled with hidden contraptions that require careful investigation to uncover the secrets of this place.
April. 2023
Role
Kaili, Bill Shi - Designer
Kaili - Artist
Preston Fu, Jupiter Jung - Programmer
Game Features:
- Immerse yourself in and solve the puzzles to escape the mysterious Aztec ruin.
- Be ready to face some unknown monsters.
- Read Aztec inspired stories to learn about the world.
Design Background:
The level art became a huge focus of this project.
I put a lot of thought into how lighting and shadows shape the game's atmosphere. The lighting design plays with contrast – using dim overall lighting broken up by focused bright spots to create this feeling of tension and unease. Players can only see clearly in a small radius around them, while everything beyond fades into mysterious darkness. When you can't see what's lurking in the shadows, every step forward becomes a tiny moment of anticipation.
But the lighting isn't just about creating atmosphere – it's also a clever way to guide players through the space. Those bright spots naturally draw players in, like moths to a flame, and that's exactly where I hide important clues. It makes exploration feel natural and rewarding, rather than forcing players down a specific path. The lighting becomes this subtle dance between making players feel on edge while also gently nudging them in the right direction.
For the ending sequence, I used UE5's Cinematic Camera to create this really sad, haunting moment. Just as the player escapes the final room, thinking it's all over, they discover something pretty messed up – they're actually trapped here forever because of this holy stone.