The JouRNEY wItHIN
(MY FIRST GAME)
Game Design
Game Concept
Unreal Engine 5
Environment design
"The Journey Within" is a narrative game that takes players on a journey filled with symbolic life challenges.
Each level represents a unique metaphor, from brave leaps into the unknown to navigating complex choices.
Will you follow the path or dare to explore? Your journey, your decision.
oVerview game
The game consists of three levels, plus a beginning and an end. Each level symbolizes a different aspect of life's journey. Designed in distinct styles, each level aims to evoke different emotions and feelings from the player.
Homescreen
Solitude
You land in the black. There is nothing around you but darkness and the sound of the wind blowing through this emptiness. As you walk around, you'll notice faint sounds here and there.
This lonely room symbolizes how we often stand alone at the beginning of our journey. The path ahead isn't always clear. It's scary, and you may feel uncertain about how to move forward.
Playable home-screen
The homescreen level places players in an all-black space with just a single white platform to step onto.
This simple scene represents the start of everything, a place of emptiness and solitude.
It invites players to take their first step into the unknown. Here, they meet the narrator for the first time.
There are no traditional start buttons; the game begins as soon as they step onto the platform, merging the narrative with gameplay.
Embrace Failure
The only way to progress in this game is by failing. You'll fail repeatedly, both in life and in this game.
Don't let this discourage you. Failure is often the best way to learn, and it's crucial for growth. Here, it's no different. Once you fall or jump off the beam, you'll move on to the next part.
Illumination
"You have fallen and landed on a new beam. This one is much longer with a bright light source at the end!
This is somewhat symbolic of 'there is light at the end of the tunnel,' but light also simply attracts. If there is nothing but darkness outside, our instinct is always to go towards the light.
Once you head towards the light, you come into contact with the narrator of the game. They welcome you and give you a short introduction. He ends with 'Are you ready to enter forward?'"
Start
If you decide to be ready to start the adventure, you can walk towards the light, which turns out to be a door, a gateway, a gateway to another dimension in the game.
This gate truly symbolizes the beginning of the game.
level 1
The leap of faith
Set in space, symbolizes the infinite possibilities and boundless adventures that lie ahead. The level begins with the player floating in space, surrounded by stars and planets.
This represents the beginning of a grand journey where anything is possible, yet there may also be many unknown and challenging moments. The player must navigate through this vast and mysterious environment, symbolizing the exploration of new opportunities and facing challenges without fear.
The endless space also emphasizes the feeling of freedom and the magnitude of the journey ahead for the player.
Secret rooms
Exploration is crucial to me in this game. In each level, there are secret rooms and hidden Easter eggs that you can only discover if you stray from the beaten path.
These hidden chambers often hold surprises like mini jumping puzzles and collectibles that you can interact with. Once you interact with them, a pop-up will appear, providing you with more information about the environment you're in.
Interactable narrator
The "Leap of Faith" symbolizes courage, trust, and taking risks in life. It represents those crucial moments when you must take a leap into the unknown, despite uncertainties and fears.
It emphasizes the importance of daring, believing in yourself, and making decisions that can take you to new heights.
The leap of faith
The "Leap of Faith" symbolizes courage, trust, and taking risks in life. It represents those crucial moments when you must take a leap into the unknown, despite uncertainties and fears.
It emphasizes the importance of daring, believing in yourself, and making decisions that can take you to new heights.
Dialogue narrator (upon fail)
Oof, you lost a lot of progress. thats a deep frustration, a reel punch in the gut.
oh no, it happened again. Keep on trying, don’t let it get to you!
This thing that we call “failure” is not the falling down, but the staying down.
The pain I feel now is the happniess I had before. Thats the deal
Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: “it might have been.”
In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.
Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we could win, by fearing to attempt.
I feel your pain: the pain in knowing this has happened to you.
Uff... Sorry about that
Whenever I climb, I am followed by a dog called “Ego”
I’m uhh. I’m going to let you be for a little bit.
Life has many diffrent chapters for us. One bad chapter doesn’t mean its the end of the book.
Level 2
Choices choices choices
Once the player makes this leap, it will lead them to proceed to level 2 of the game.
Level 2 takes place in a fantasy forest, symbolizing exploration, discovery, and the diversity of life.
It represents leaving your comfort zone and exploring new, unfamiliar territories. The blend of fantasy creatures and Roman elements symbolizes the versatility and unexpected twists encountered during life's journey.
It also emphasizes the beauty and power of nature, and the interwoven nature of different cultures and eras. This level encourages players to be curious, look beyond the obvious, and embrace the magic of the unknown.
Dynamic path
In level 2 the path becomes more difficult! The platforms can now sway from left to right, and if you fall off, you will have to start over.
Besides that you also have the option to go off the path, explore the water, the forest the caves and much more.
3 choices
Canyon Lane
Snow Lane
Lava Lane
Choices choices choices
Level 2 is all about making choices, will you explore or not? Later in this level the player will be asked to make a choice. Which path do they wanne continue? In front of them are 3 gates, Will you commit to the path you’ve chosen? or perhaps you're more inclined to hang back, test the waters, explore every nook and cranny.
The main character
You play as a more abstract character. It contrasts the rest of the game, makes you feel a little out of this world.
The idea is that everyone’s Journey is diffrent. Herefor I also wanted to make sure that everyone would end with an unique looking character
The more cubicles you gather the more colorfull the character will become. Depending on the order of the cubicles found, your character will change to certain colours
Hidden rooms & easter eggs
Also in this level there are more exploreable levels than anywhere before in the game. Do you want to stay on the path? or rather explore every single option.
From leftover camping sites, to hidden underwater caves to magical gardens that change weather upon entering. This magical place really is made to give away a sense of fantasy combined with the beautiy of nature.
Level 3
The clock is ticking
The Clock Tower symbolizes the inevitable and constant passage of time. It emphasizes how time is an elusive force that affects us all and the pressure it places on us to make decisions and achieve goals.
This level is built around a large, imposing clock tower. Players start at the base of the tower and must climb to the top by overcoming various platform puzzles and challenges. The tower is filled with gears, pendulums, and other mechanical parts that visualize the workings of time.
If you fall off the tower, you have a few seconds to jump back on before the clock hand crushes you!
Mechanics
From the moment you jump onto the first platform of the game, the challenge begins!
The platform starts rotating and rising higher and higher. The platform represents a clock with hands that spin very quickly.
This is another reference to how time flies and moves very fast.
If you get hit by the clock hands, you have to start over.
4o
Gameplay
In the Clocktower level, players face time-limited challenges emphasizing urgency and pressure. Rotating platforms and pendulum obstacles require precise timing and quick reflexes. Players solve puzzles by interacting with gears and levers to unlock new paths.
The level involves vertical climbing, with hidden passages and shortcuts rewarding exploration. The narrator provides hints and philosophical insights about time. Reaching the top symbolizes overcoming time's relentless passage, culminating in a final skill-testing challenge.
The end
Hooray!
Hooray! You have finished the game! In front of you, you see gigantic levels that show you the game is over. You can also jump on the credits to reach the last name.
There, you can interact one last time with a cube that is voiced by the creator themselves instead of the narrator.
Full gameplay coming soon
