The Project
This game was completed for a 48-hour game jam through the GameCraft club at University of Utah. Fallen From Grace is a 2D metroidvania-like game where you play as an angel descending the pits of Hell as you attempt to rescue your loved one. For this project, my tasks were to create the level designs for our game, as well as the level theme.
Above is a short video showcasing the gameplay of Fallen From Grace
Here is a link to the game’s itch.io page where you can download and play the game:
Above are the drawings for the levels I created, followed my the song I composed for this game.
Rocking Bells (Fallen From Grace Theme)
—Carson Shea
—Carson Shea
The Process
In this Game Jam, I worked in a team of 6 people to create a game in 48 hours.
My first task was to design the 5 levels for our game. My five sketches for the level design can be viewed above. For the level sketches, I used Microsoft Whiteboard to plan out and draw the levels.
Once I completed designing the levels, I then composed the level theme for the game. The mp3 of the song I composed is directly above. Then, for the song, I used Logic Pro X to compose and produce the entire thing.
The Purpose
Levels
My goal for the level design was to create levels that branched off and gave the players multiple ways of reaching the end goal.
Also, in the later levels when coins and
crates were added in, I wanted to create
more secluded zones with these objects, to give the player incentive to explore every
nook and cranny
crates were added in, I wanted to create
more secluded zones with these objects, to give the player incentive to explore every
nook and cranny
For this game, each level was inspired by one of the seven deadly sins.
Lust begins as the angel trying to seek out her lost lover.
Wraith was where you learned to throw fireballs and could break crates.
Greed was where collecting coins and needing a certain amount of coins to complete the level was required.
Sloth was where you had to sit in a room completely motionless for 5 seconds
before progressing.
before progressing.
Pride was the final level that tested your progression through the story, leading to the accomplishment of beating the game.
Music
For the Music, I wanted to create something that matched the overall feel of the game. So, I began by using church bells to represent the angel character that you play as.
Then, to create contrast, I included a
rock style instrumentation, with a drum
set, bass guitar, and electric guitar. These rock instruments were meant to represent
the hellish landscape that the angel character descends upon.
rock style instrumentation, with a drum
set, bass guitar, and electric guitar. These rock instruments were meant to represent
the hellish landscape that the angel character descends upon.
So, the contrast of the two instruments were meant to simulate the contrast of the character and her environment.
Finally, I added some variation and repetition to the song so that it became something that interested the player, but did not distract from the game itself.
