Level Design Test Response
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Level Design Test Response
Level Design Inspiration and Reference Explanation
The level design draws inspiration from the story of
Beowulf
—specifically from the motif of “the dragon slayer who eventually becomes the dragon.” However, the actual narrative of this level diverges significantly from the original
Beowulf
tale; the reference serves mainly as a thematic framework rather than a direct adaptation.
In terms of gameplay and aesthetics, the environmental puzzles and interactive mechanisms are primarily inspired by
TUNIC
and
Monument Valley
, while the combat and boss encounter mechanics take cues from
Souls-like
games.
The mid-level event centers on fragments of Melissa’s soul, through which players uncover her memories and the hidden connection between Melissa and the lost city.
Level Overview
1. Gameplay: Starting Point and Objective
Players begin in a small village outside the city walls, with the main objective of reaching the lost city. Along the way, they must defeat hostile spirits, unlock blocked pathways, and collect key items such as manuals and keys that determine the subsequent exploration sequence.
2. Exploration and Choices
Within the city, players can choose from multiple routes—such as through the sewers, the abandoned market, or the elevated districts. Each path presents unique challenges and rewards. Players must pay attention to critical events like activating the city’s engine and collecting Melissa’s soul fragments.
3. Events and Story Progression
In the upper city area, players encounter a key event involving one of Melissa’s soul fragments, which deepens the narrative and introduces puzzle-solving elements. Through these fragments, players gradually learn about Melissa’s past and her bond with the malevolent spirit, adding emotional depth to the storyline.
4. Enemies and Combat
Players face sentinels guarding the city, earning arrows, coins, and other rewards upon victory. The final boss battle involves confronting Melissa, who has been possessed by an evil spirit. Players must utilize the environment for cover and attack the exposed weak points of the spirit to prevail.
5. Branching Endings
Player choices directly affect the ending. Successfully defeating the evil spirit and saving Melissa results in the rebirth of the city. However, if Melissa is defeated before the spirit is purged, she sacrifices herself heroically, yet the city still revives—offering a bittersweet conclusion.
6. Exploration and Puzzles
The level is rich with exploration elements. Players must decipher rune-marked pathways, locate Melissa’s crossbow, and solve environmental puzzles that drive the narrative forward.
7. Shops
A mysterious shop provides players with attribute-enhancing items and combat supplies, strengthening their preparation for upcoming challenges.
Overall, the level integrates
adventure, puzzle-solving, and combat
elements to deliver a multi-layered experience. Through the exploration of the lost city, players engage in a narrative of redemption and sacrifice, with multiple possible endings that enhance replay value.
Level Flow Overview –
Melissa and the Lost City
Level Progression Details
1. Player Progression Flow –Starting Phase (Village Outskirts)
The player begins in a small village located outside the city walls. Following the direction signs, the player sets out toward the Lost City. Along the route, they will find
Manual Page 01
, and notice a
treasure chest
lying on the mudflat containing
coins
, sparking the player’s curiosity to explore further.
As the player advances, they will encounter
hostile spirits clinging to low stone walls
. After defeating them, the player discovers that the path ahead is blocked by a
broken bridge
, while a
lever switch
can be seen below the cliff. A
wooden signpost
on this side points to the
right
, leading to a descending path.
Exploration pivot1.1
– Behind a visually obscured area, the player can find a
hidden treasure chest
containing a
small attack-boosting item
.
Exploration pivot 1.2
– On the western path leading upward, the player can discover a
key
that unlocks the
gate to the abandoned marketplace
.
(Note: Obtaining this key is crucial, as it determines the sequence of later exploration.)
Players are free to explore the environment in a
non-linear
manner. Once enough clues and items have been collected, the main progression will advance naturally.
Manual Page （pamphlet）01 Description:
A page containing
keywords related to Melissa and the Lost City
, echoing the content found on
Page 10
of the in-game manual.
2. Player Progression Flow – Phase 2 (Drainage Path to City Gate)
By traversing the
drainage path
and defeating the enemies along the way, the player can reach the
outer perimeter of the city gate
directly.
Exploration 2.1
– In this area, the player can locate the
treasure chest
and
Manual Page 02
that were visible from the very beginning of the level. This discovery reinforces spatial awareness and helps players become familiar with the
overall structure of the city
.
Exploration 2.2
– Breaking a cluster of clay jars reveals a
hidden passage
. Following this secret route leads the player to a
weapon chest
, rewarding curiosity and environmental interaction.
Manual Page （pamphlet）02 Description:
Written in
fox runes
, the page depicts the city’s structural hierarchy centered around the
Lost City Castle
:
Outer Suburban Village (South) → Near the City Center [Left (East): Market District – Right (West): Cathedral] → Northern Hall of Heroes.
3. Player Progression Flow – Exploration 3: Reaching the City Gate Entrance
Exploration 3
– Continuing westward and climbing to higher ground, the player eventually reaches the
main entrance of the city gate
. Moving further east (to the right), they can find
Manual Page 03(pamphlet)
The newly acquired manual reveals that the
main gate requires activation through a specific mechanism
before it can be opened, giving the player a clear new objective and expanding their understanding of the city’s mechanical systems.
4. Player Progression Flow – Exploration 4: Entering the City District and Mid-Level Event
Exploration 4.1
– Returning to the drainage route and heading east, the player can enter the
Abandoned Market
through the
forest side path
.
(Note: The gate can only be opened if the player has already obtained the key from the early phase of the level.)
Exploration 4.2
– By following a
visually obscured route
, the player can find hidden
coins
and
five arrows
. This path also serves as a
shortcut
to reach the
upper district of the city
more quickly.
*Both
Exploration 4.1
and
4.2
ultimately lead the player to the
upper section of the city
, where they can use a
telescope
（observing point）to overlook the entire urban area. Here, the player encounters a
fox-like spirit
for the first time.
This moment marks the
mid-level narrative event
—
Melissa’s Memory Fragment I
.
*Melissa’s Memory Fragment I Description:
When the player interacts with the fragment, a short
CG cutscene
is triggered. The scene shows
Melissa’s first visit to the city
with her companions. During the exploration, she is
suddenly pushed over
, and the memory fades out. The
little fox
then returns to the playable world, resuming control after the brief vision.
5. Player Progression Flow – Exploration 5: City Engine Core and the Cathedral Area
Exploration 5.1
– Following the route through the
arcade
, the player can turn left to access a
mysterious shop
that sells
attribute-enhancing items
and
combat consumables
to support later battles.
Manual Page 04 Description:
This page introduces the
cathedral
, which serves as the resting place of
two fallen warriors
. However, the cathedral is
not open to outsiders
. It hints that the
knights guard the key
, followed by a subtle note:
“What might happen if one were to pay respects at their graves?”
6. Progression Flow – Exploration 6: Cathedral Key and Storage Room
Exploration 6
–The
cathedral key
is kept inside the
storage room
. To access it, the player must
defeat the guard
stationed nearby and obtain the
storage room key
. Inside, they can open a
treasure chest
containing a
health-boosting item
and
Manual Page 05
.
Manual Page 05 Description:
This page introduces the
western watchtower guard
, who is said to
possess the Engine Core Gem
. The manual hints that players may challenge him by
ringing the bell beneath his feet
—
“Without the city engine active, the bell will not ring on its own. Perhaps that’s why he was entrusted with the core gem…”
7. Progression Flow – Exploration 7: Entering the Cathedral and the Hall of Heroes
Exploration 7
– Inside the cathedral, after paying respects to the fallen warriors as mentioned in the previous manual, the player discovers
Melissa’s Crossbow
within one of the
empty tombs
. In the
northeastern corner
, the player can also find
Manual Page 06
along with
Melissa’s Soul Fragment II
.
Melissa’s Soul Fragment II Description:
This memory reveals a dark turning point—
Melissa begins forming a symbiotic bond with the malevolent spirit
, suggesting that the entity has started to take root within her.
“How can Melissa be saved?”Moments later, aninvisible force pushes the fox back, abruptly returning the player to the present world.
8. Progression Flow – Exploration 8: Mini-Boss Battle with the Watchtower Guard
fter obtaining new equipment, the player returns to the
western watchtower
. By using
Melissa’s crossbow
to
shoot the bell
, the
battle with the Watchtower Guard
begins.
During the fight, the
guard uses his wings to create strong wind gusts
, dealing
axial area damage
around him while on the ground. He is
not adept at close-range combat
, and when struck, he experiences
longer recovery time (stagger duration)
.
After taking a certain amount of damage, the guard will
take flight
, performing a
diving claw attack from above
. The player must
use the ceiling structures and terrain
to avoid these strikes. After
three consecutive dives
, the guard becomes
temporarily unable to fly
and moves
more slowly
, giving the player a
critical window of opportunity
to deal damage.
Upon defeating the Watchtower Guard, the player is rewarded with:
- Arrows ×10
- Gold Coins
- Mana Restoration Item
- Engine Core Gem
- Health-boosting Artifact
9. Player Progression Flow – Exploration 9: Activating the Engine Core and Melissa’s Soul Fragment III
After inserting the
Engine Core Gem
into the
city’s central engine
, the mechanism becomes fully
activated
, causing the
main drawbridge
to rotate and extend toward the
castle entrance
, opening a new path forward.At this point, the player encounters
Melissa’s Soul Fragment III
.
Melissa’s Soul Fragment III Description:
In this memory,
Melissa fiercely resists the malevolent spirit’s possession
. Although the entity fails to completely control her body and consciousness, it remains
trapped within her
, unable to escape.
“Could this be the turning point—a chance to save her?”
10. Player Progression Flow – Exploration 10: Entering the Castle Interior
The player enters the
castle
through an opening at the
roof
, descending into the
dark and ominous grand hall
after defeating the
gatekeeper
stationed near the entrance. The atmosphere here shifts to a
mysterious and eerie tone
, signaling the final stage of the level.
Exploration 10.1
– After defeating the gatekeeper, the player can find a
hidden treasure chest
by following a
visually obscured path
. Inside the chest lies a
mana recovery potion
, rewarding attentive exploration before the upcoming challenges.
11. Player Progression Flow – Exploration 11: Castle Grand Hall – The Final Trial
Upon entering the
grand hall inside the castle
, the player cannot start the final battle immediately. Instead, they must follow the
rune-marked floor
, which forms
black pillar-like symbols
beneath their feet, guiding movement through the hall.
The player can only move
north (up)
or
south (down)
along these rune paths, each direction leading to a
statue
where they must perform a
prayer gesture
. After completing both prayers, the
central bonfire rekindles
, and
a glowing path
appears, revealing the way to the
final confrontation
.
Exploration 11.1
– At this moment, the player encounters the
final fragment of Melissa’s soul
, marking the last piece of her memory before the concluding battle begins.
Player Progression Flow – Exploration 12: Final Battle and Endings
In the final confrontation, the
evil spirit fully possesses Melissa
, transforming her into a powerful but conflicted foe. The corrupted Melissa attacks with
rapid three-hit melee combos
and casts
high-damage water-based spells
using her own magical power.
When her
mana is depleted
,
Melissa’s consciousness begins to resist
, briefly immobilizing the spirit and leaving it vulnerable. The player must
seize this opportunity
and endure through the spirit’s relentless assault — victory lies just ahead.
(Tip: The exposed form of the evil spirit can be attacked directly. However, defeating the spirit alone may lead to an unexpected outcome.)
Ending (Makeing whole level End)
If the player first depletes the
evil spirit’s health bar
, congratulations — you are a
wise and composed little fox
. By purging the curse at its root, you cause the
evil spirit to dissipate completely
, bringing life and light back to the
Lost City
.
Through your perseverance,
Melissa and her companions’ efforts
finally lead to a hopeful resolution and the
rebirth of the city
.
Manual Pages –
Melissa and the Lost City
01.
A poster file about
“Searching for Melissa”
, containing key terms related to entering the Lost City ruins.
(Similar to the content on page 10 of the in-game manual.)
02.
Written in
fox language
, this page introduces the structure of the Lost City centered around the castle:
Outer suburban village (South) → Near the center [Left (East) Market – Right (West) Cathedral] → Northern Hall of Heroes.
03.
Explains that entering deeper into the city requires activating the
city engine
.
Mentions that in the Abandoned Market there is a
watch post
where a
guard holds the key
.
The
engine core
is located at the
northern end of the castle
.
04.
Introduces the
cathedral
, where two
warriors rest in peace
, but the place is not open to outsiders.
A
knight holds the key
.
Reminder:
What might happen if you pray at their graves?
05.
Describes the
west watchtower guard
, who possesses the
engine core gem
.
A hint says:
If you wish to challenge him, try ringing the bell beneath his feet.
(Since the engine isn’t active, the bell won’t ring—this is why he guards the core gem.)
06.
Reveals
Melissa’s resolve
to protect herself and her companions.
To prevent the
evil spirit
from prevailing, she
sealed the city
along with herself and the spirit inside.
Over time, the seal weakened, and the
Dark Lord
is now on the verge of returning.
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