Ohne Makel | LD Jam 12

⚜️About this level

This is a 3D top-down turn-based strategy level created for the Level Design Jam. Developed over a 5-week period, the focus is on dual-scale spatial pacing, mathematical progression, and encounter topology. The player must navigate heavy mech units through an abandoned cathedral to destroy corrupted spirits, utilize tactical grid positioning, and reclaim the sanctuary.

🕯️Known Issues

• Missing End-Game State: The end-game logic is not yet implemented. Workaround: After defeating the final boss, you are free to explore the map, but you must manually exit the game window.

To break out of my comfort zone, I tied genres, settings, and themes to random numbers, and had my human RNG blindly pick my project constraints. This forced me to adapt my entire design process to a totally unexpected genre!
( Genre: Turn-Based Strategy RPG / Setting: Abandoned Cathedral / Theme: The City)

🛡️Design Goals

📐 Dual-Scale Topology

I split the game into a large map for exploring and small maps for fighting. The challenge in the exploration level was the top-down camera, which makes height differences hard to navigate. To fix this, I gave the player camera rotation and zoom controls. I used the cathedral's architecture and layout to create chokepoints and line-of-sight puzzles without breaking the grid.

⚔️ Quest-Based Progression

I used specific enemy setups as locked doors to control the pacing of the level. I tied level progress directly to quests. For example, the player cannot fight the final boss to end the game until they explore the map and kill specific enemies first. This guarantees the player experiences the level layout and gets strong enough before the final fight.

⚙️ Systemic Combat Pacing

Instead of building physical traps or environmental hazards in the level to make fights hard, I used the role-playing game systems that came with the template. The pacing and tension of the combat rely entirely on how well the player uses their skills, stats, and buffs. This let me control the flow of the game while keeping my project scope tight.

🎥 Walkthrough Video

🎮 Controls

Left-Click	Move, deploy units, execute commands, and interact with the environment.
Right-Click	Rotate camera, inspect units, and view detailed character stats and information.

🧩 Asset Credits & Disclaimer

All 3D models, characters, audio, and environments used in this project were sourced from the FAB, itch.io, and YouTube. I acquired these as part of Epic's "Limited-Time Free" program over the last three years. While they were completely free when I redeemed them, some may have since returned to their paid tier. :-(

Core Framework: Turn-Based Strategy RPG Template

Environments & Props: Abandoned Cathedral, Elite Demonscape, Forest of Spikes

Characters & Enemies: Paragon Assets (Crunch, Gadget,  GRIM.exe, Iggy & Scorch, Minions, Muriel, Serath, Sevarog)

VFX: EasyAtmos

Audio: Stained Glass of Fallen Sin, 月夜に煌めくステンドグラス, Be Not Afraid UI/Menu SFX, Atelier Magicae Music Library: Ancient Horrors

Designed and blocked out by Melinn