This was my first project that I attempted to sit down and fully complete (aside from the 48-hour game jam game I created, The Graveyard Shift), which can be downloaded from Chop's Butcher Shop but be warned this is not a very complete or bug-free game.
Attempt to finish a small short story horror game with compelling game mechanics. The objective of the game is to collect 3 keys to unlock the main door. However, these 3 keys are locked behind puzzles and other locked doors.
This was my first attempt at a relatively complex AI. The idea behind this AI is that, as modeled after a pig, he did not have great eyesight. However, his hearing was perfect. As you play through the game, it was mandatory for the player to create noise which would raise the suspicion if the killer causing him to venture closer and closer to the player during his normal rotation of "chores." Chop is able to detect a player, chase, and kill them (restarting the game). He is also able to relight unlit lanterns, check cabinets for hiding players, and respond to loud noises in his house.
At first, I was unsure if puzzles were something that I wanted to add into this game. I did end up creating puzzles for this game after the bulk of the work was done which extended the scope of this project greatly. The idea was that as the player could not directly solve any of these puzzles on their own. They would need to rely on the killer to enter the room and complete an action. For example, in one puzzle the player is unable to light a damaged lantern but, if they turn off all lanterns in the room, the killer will enter the room and see there is no light and light the damage lantern for the player. Ultimately, the execution of these puzzles was not the best as my game design experience was lacking and I never introduced this mechanic in a good way. Something I may return to and adjust one day.
One thing everyone loves about games is the small details. This can include things like the environment building, small notes for lore, etc. In this project I attempted to add as much small detail to the game as possible. Whether this be sound design, environment building, and even small notes that hinted to the player how to solve the puzzles. Adding these small details often became difficult to achieve as I would need to build whole new systems to implement them. This meant UI overhauling to allow notes to be readable, creating sound system that would update the noise of footsteps on different surfaces, and many more.
This first try at a larger more compelling project was a great success to me. While not everyone will play this game and enjoy it to the level I might have once imagined, It was a great victory that I was able to build out a project over the course of months. Just being able to fire up this game and play it from start to end is my victory.