The Lost Temple
Project Overview
Client
Personal
My Role
Level Designer
Timeline
Aug 2023 - Dec 2023
This level was inspired by Utah’s red rock landscapes, particularly Arches National Park, and influenced by my studies in ancient architecture. The main objective is to collect a water orb located at the highest point of the temple, with optional coin collectibles along the way.
Map
Main objective
Optional path for picking up ancient coins.
Problem & Solution
Problem:
During playtesting, all players tried to explore behind the waterfall but couldn’t figure out how to get there. The only path was a staircase on the far left, which most missed. I believe this happened because they entered from a narrow hallway into a large, open space with a glowing coin and a waterfall—elements that drew their attention away from the stairs.
Solution:
To guide players more intuitively, I broke a section of the railing along the intended path, making it appear damaged. This broken railing subtly directs players toward the area behind the waterfall. Once they’re there and need to find a way back up, they naturally turn around, right at the moment when the staircase becomes clearly visible.
Railing section that I removed.
Problem:
This level uses lighting as the main way to guide players. However, relying only on natural light wasn’t practical due to the changing layout and angles throughout the map. Some areas are also set inside a mountain, where natural light wouldn’t make sense.
Solution:
To solve this, I added torches that emit point light to guide players through the darker, enclosed sections of the level. These torches not only maintain visual consistency with the environment but also help reinforce the intended path without breaking immersion.
