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Cosmic Crusader is a 2.5D space ship shooter, where the player controls a knight, who defends the galaxy by equipping their ship with an optimal loadout and launching into space, fighting progressively tougher waves of enemy spaceships. Every 5 waves, the player returns back to their Hangar, where they can spend 'scrap', earned from defeating enemies, to purchase better weaponry, gadgets, engines, and hulls.
Role
Sole Developer
Platform
PC
Engine
Unreal Engine 5
Team Size
1
Project
Length
8 Weeks
The game was a project created for a second year (Level 5) Module at The University of Staffordshire
Contributions
Project Goals
Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of 2.5D Game design and development.
Use a range of established techniques to initiate and undertake critical analysis of existing 2.5D games, gameplay and aesthetics.
Compare and evaluate different approaches of applicable art styles and game engines systems to create interesting game mechanics.
Apply techniques and concepts to create functional and aesthetic designs using a mix of art and engine development.
Gameplay Design
Designed a simple game loop with a unique look, switching between a ground based menu every 5 waves to allow players a short respite and the chance to upgrade their ship
Created ship controls which allow for simple arcade movement with added depth through a lack of gravity
Created a series of weapons and gadgets to allow for unique playstyles and progression
Designed UI that updates as the player interacts with their inventory and abilities
Created a series of unique weapons and gadgets each with different specialties
Made a range of enemy types with different weapons, health, speed, all managed through a data table
System Design
Created a wave based game system which uses data tables and algorithmic data to update the waves data
Utilised interfaces to manage persistent data between rounds and levels
Created a shop system which allows for the purchase of various items, equips the items, and updates the player currency, the shops inventory, and correctly distributes the items depending on the type
Created a dynamic score system, where more kills in quick succession add more to the multiplier, encouraging mastery of the games mechanics
Created weapon and gadget components which are applicable for both player and enemy ships, making them modular and allows for multiple uses from designs
What I learned from the experience
Gained valuable insight into the 2.5D style of games, and the constraints of using 2D in a 3D environment
Improved my understanding of materials, shaders, and camera effects to create a unique art style, utilising normal maps with lighting on 2D objects to create a unique aesthetic
Improved my experience working with UE5's Common UI plugin to allow for seamless switching between keyboard and controller, updating the visuals of the game to reflect this change
Better understood how to manage difficulty within a game with an infinite game loop, balancing enemy difficulty with player progression
Improved my ability to convey my game concepts through diagrams and concise documentation
Documentation
2.5D Documentation.docxGallery
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