Block Puzzle
Smart Design
A simple but fun game, I made Block Puzzle as a casual and fun experiment. I wanted to see how well I could introduce new mechanics to the player without having to use any words or dialog.
I started with this level here on the right. I made it as simple to understand as possible by using colors to insinuate how to achieve the goal. By having the blue block, separated from the blue gate by the bright orange blocks I have found this gives the player a quick, visual, and perfect understanding of what is going on and what the need to do. So after moving the orange blocks out of the way using the "d" key or arrow keys I expand the concept I just thought the player further.
After constant iterations of the same mechanics slowly introducing the player to more and more complexity. I place a difficult puzzle that would have been previously unsolvable without the easy explanation from the first level.
But despite the deep reward the player gets after completing more and more difficult puzzles. I don't let the mechanics overstay their time in the spot light.
I begin introduce a new mechanic with the same kind of introduction style. By this point the player already knows to get the blue block in the blue gate. However this new purple block is all but a mystery. I force the player to over come this new challenge by requiring the player's blue block to interact with it before completing the level.
The player will find that they can move these purple blocks around and by moving it forward and out of the way I have once again thought the player a new mechanic that I can continue to expand upon.
I continue to expand on the idea of moving block around, by adding new ways of interaction and even changing the size and scale of these purple moving blocks.
Yet despite all the new mechanics, I don't want the player to get board. So to bring more intrigue I decide to add a new setting and look to the visuals along with the new mechanic.
Once again this new mechanic needs to be interacted with in order for the player to complete the level. This new mechanic comes in the form of the interaction between these two new blocks. The Ice block and small fire block. The player will inevitably move the red fire block to the ice block coming to fin that it melts away the ice block allowing the blue block to reach the goal. To add even a bit more clarity I add a little camp fire off the the side with the new red block inside it to associate this block with fire.
And again I expand this mechanic further and build on it by adding slight increases in difficulty and puzzle complexity.
I ultimately want to finish this game and I have plans to make it playable on mobile devices. However even now it stands as a showcase on how I can smartly add visual cues and level design features to teach the player new and even complex mechanics without a word of dialog.
