WAKE
Introduction
This is a game prototype I developed using UE5 when applying to Uppsala University. It mainly focuses on level design, game background design, and partial scene construction.
Game concept design
Story Background
The game is set across multiple parallel worlds, with each world representing a different dream. Players can only uncover the link between these dreams and reality by overcoming key event nodes in each scene. In the real world, a group of people are stationed in a centralized hub controlled by higher beings. They are told that by entering a dream-generating device, they can continuously create beautiful dreams and earn dream points. Once they accumulate enough points, they are allowed to leave the station. However, the protagonist’s dreams and real-world consciousness are kept separate. While dreaming, they have no memory of the real world, and in the real world, they can’t remember the events of their dreams. It’s only by breaking through all the event nodes within the dreams that the protagonist can finally merge their consciousness between both realms and uncover the truth.
Gameplay
Players can carry items from one parallel world to another. By using items from different worlds, they can break event nodes and establish connections with previously unlinked worlds. Once all event nodes in every world are broken, players will connect their dream and reality.
In the early stages, the game is plot-driven, with players following the storyline to learn the controls and understand the game’s background. During this phase, players cannot freely choose which scenes to visit. As the game progresses, connections between parallel worlds unlock, allowing players to travel freely between them. Players must solve event nodes using clues from scenes, dialogues, and items from other parallel worlds.
Integration and Conflict
As more parallel worlds become interconnected, chaos increases. Objects from different worlds may appear in an incongruous state within the current world. These foreign objects can disrupt the original course of events, requiring players to adjust their strategies to overcome new challenges.
Game Objective
The player’s ultimate goal is to break all event nodes in the parallel worlds. After doing so, they can connect their consciousness between dream and reality, uncover the truth behind the centralized station, and possibly reveal the influence of the higher beings.
Main Scenes
Western Saloon
In this scene, the protagonist is one of a western outlaw who enter the saloon with the goal of stealing money. After sitting down, they overhear conversations about a caravan that will soon stop at the saloon for a break. The protagonist and their gang plan to discreetly take control of the saloon’s owner and bartender without alerting the locals, aiming to seize both the caravan’s wealth and the money inside the saloon.
Players can achieve their goals by collecting resources within the scene or acquiring specific items from other universes. One key item is hidden inside the piano, and after making contact with the caravan, players can obtain an additional item from the caravan.
The obtainable items include a bottle of alcohol and a revolver that uses blood as bullets.
Magic Botanical Garden
In this scene, the protagonist is the owner of a magical botanical garden, where they spend their days conducting research. Inside the garden, two large cultivation tanks are used to extract essences from monsters, providing precious nutrients for the plants. However, a accident occurs, and one of the monsters escapes from the tank. The player must use the resources within the garden, along with special items from other universes, to craft a potion with specific effects—either to regain control over the monster or to eliminate it.
Players can create potions with various effects by combining specific plants and items. After defeating or regaining control of the monster, they can also harvest useful items from the creature’s body. Potions can be crafted to induce unconsciousness in a target, accelerate plant growth, or trigger a state of rage in a target.
Centralized Station
Once the player breaks through all the event nodes across the various universes, they will uncover the existence of the centralized station. However, upon awakening in the station, they are not immediately given the full background. Instead, players gradually learn the true nature of the world through conversations with robots and the protagonists of other parallel worlds, now present in the real world. After completing certain tasks, the player will have the chance to “leave the centralized station.” At this point, they may discover the existence of higher beings and begin to understand the true purpose behind the station.
Main Mechanisms
Shuttling Ability
After meeting certain conditions, players can find items from other parallel worlds within the current world. One of these items serves as a medium that links two worlds, and by interacting with it, players can travel to the corresponding parallel universe.
Interactive Item
In the game, different items will have various interactive effects. For instance, when the player acquires the Blood Revolver, they can use the item to aim at and shoot enemies.
Flow Chart
