Summer Project Week 6: Blockout Part 2

09/08/21

Art Gallery

Upon entering the art gallery, the player will see many objects with which they can interact, most notably the central piece in the room, which is the statue. The statue gets its own camera angle that intently focuses on it. When the player interacts with it, they will note that the arm of the statue is missing. They can also make out a hidden passage behind it. If the player ends up finding this missing arm and returns to the art gallery, then they will receive their first health upgrade that makes combat encounters slightly easier to handle. There are also two chests in the room, which the player can examine in a more detailed way. By rotating the chests at a right angle, they will get hints on how to access many of the secrets scattered throughout the level. The hints are intentionally vague and will require the player to take note of them. This is because whenever they see a room that connects with a hint, it will become clear to the player what they have to do to uncover these secrets.

Figure 1: Framing in the Art Gallery.

Library

When arriving in the library, the player will be offered numerous options as to which direction to take. On their right, as soon as they enter, they will find another gate that is blocking progress and the player must find the relevant switch in order to pass through it. Downstairs, another piece of lore is located, which can be read by the player. By reading this book, the enemy that is hidden out of view from the camera will come flying towards the player, thus making this combat encounter the most intense to date. There are two bookcases in this room that are quite distinctive. The first, situated on the left side of the room, has light filtering from its base, that implies there is a hidden room behind it. Interacting with it does nothing, so the player must find another way around. The bookcase at the back, however, can be interacted with and it houses another health upgrade. The hint that informs the player about this secret, can be found later in the level. Upstairs in the library, the player will find a breakable piece of flooring that they can fall through and which drops them behind the first bookcase. In this location is the green key, which unlocks the door in Hallway B. Fortunately, the player will be situated directly above the door, when a cracked wall that is located in the same room crumbles, therefore dropping the player back into this hallway.

Figure 2: Three different paths to take.

Figure 3: Second surprise enemy attack and hidden bookcase.

Figure 4: Upper Library.

Figure 5: Cracked floor leading to the Green Key.

Green House

This is the first optional area in the game. The player can access this room from the top floor of the library. Upon entering, they will be inside a room in which the camera is located above them, thus providing a bird’s-eye view. The floor below them is made from glass, which also acts as the ceiling in the room below, in which there is a maze. By the player entering this room, they will be able to figure out how to safely traverse the maze without hitting a dead end or encountering an enemy, which would be very difficult to overcome within the maze itself, due to its tight spaces. Also hidden within the top room is the switch that unlocks the gated passage on the bottom floor in the library. Once entered, the player can access the bottom part of the maze and, if navigated successfully, they will obtain the gold key which opens the gold door in the hub.

Figure 6: Using unique framing to show the player the solution.

Balcony

The player can continue past the green house to arrive at the balcony. Immediately when they enter the area, the player can see an arm, located at a height within the next room. This motivates the player to progress forward as that arm will move the statue within the art gallery. The balcony is also gated off, but the switch that is required to unlock it, is located nearby. A window is beside the switch, with an enemy waiting on the other side. As soon as the player presses the switch, the enemy will come at them at speed, forcing the player into another difficult encounter. Once dealt with, the player can retrieve the arm in the next area and backtrack towards the art gallery, claiming their prize.

Figure 7: Motivation through camera placement.

Figure 8: Unassuming players surprised when switch is pushed.

Armoury

The player now has an option to return to the hub to see what lies beyond the pristine golden door, in which lies the armoury. It is a very compact room and the walls are lined with suits of armour that make the passages appear very narrow. When the player enters the main area of the armoury, they will see more lines of statues located there, among which will be an enemy in disguise. A new shiny-looking dagger is located inside this room, and if the player does not immediately realise the disguised enemy’s presence, then they will be punished. Fortunately for the player, their new dagger can be shown off beautifully. This enemy has the same amount of health as the others; however, the new dagger can cut clean through it instantaneously, which is a satisfying reward for the player who decides to explore the level further than necessary.

Figure 9: Camouflaged enemy with stronger dagger.

Progress at the end of Week 6: