Puzzle-Adventure Game - Phototaxis

Overview

'Phototaxis' is a 2D-pixel story-driven parkour Unity game about a humanoid moth girl who travels all the way to avoid the darkness, find the light, and gradually unravel the secret story about herself and the world.

Design Goal

• Build a ruleset-driven puzzle action game with high readability and high depth.

• Create a difficulty curve suitable for jam constraints but easy to scale.

• Ensure fast iteration with a conflict-safe event/UI architecture.

• Deliver an emotionally clean and atmospheric experience.

Challenge

• Maintaining clarity in fast-moving platform environments.

• Keeping iteration cycles under 20days during jam crunch.

• Creating a stable event system to prevent UI and gameplay conflicts.

• Designing clear rules without overwhelming players.

Progress

Phototaxis PM Timetable

腾讯文档-在线表格

https://docs.qq.com/sheet/DV1VycUtuVUp2dkxJ?tab=BB08J2

Phototaxis Game Project Outline (Translated Version)

腾讯文档-在线文档

https://docs.qq.com/doc/DV1RqdVZ6UFpJanJt

Phototaxis Plot Script

Phototaxis Plot Script I. Design Objective Plan the time, manner, and content of plot/tutorial text appearances within the game. It is recommended to read this in conjunction with the level design proposal. II. Plot Planning (In-game text for character dialogue is set to white. Tutorial narra...

https://docs.google.com/document/d/124NYf5x-KpHBc3bi5nbj5q50hLwaTfyXb9P4GxL7IDU/edit?usp=sharing

Phototaxis Character Design Document

Phototaxis Character Design Document I. Design Purpose: Define the character's operation modes and methods within the game. Specify character animation and action requirements. Define character settings/lore. II. Character Persona A "Moth Girl" who has awakened from an egg. She possesses human...

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kDuTGBjveibZLhkNKbzESVwzzLT8zxmsSZPs_CkHU5k/edit?usp=sharing

Phototaxis Interactive Block Planning Document

Phototaxis Interactive Block Planning Document I. Design Objective: Define the objects/elements in the game that can interact with the character. II. Rule Design 1. Dark Area Not a traditional block: an area with no light (dim/bright). It reduces the character's health at a rate of 1 HP every ...

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19E7uecdzVgFxykp_68aTiDZNQXc2q8eoA8OL2-BU_Mo/edit?usp=sharing

Phototaxis UI Proposal

Phototaxis UI Proposal I. Design Objectives Design the in-game UI interface. Design the game application icon. II. Game Failure Page, Start Game Page, Mid-Game Pause Page III. Main Game Interface UI Layout Art UI Requirement: Draw a single heart icon as shown in the figure. Art UI Req...

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZHbujcOhp3DDP4zt5VpgDPgBWXvv7zrUAA68S8pEefU/edit?usp=sharing

Phototaxis Enemy Design Document

Phototaxis Enemy Design Document I. Design Goal Define the art and programming requirements for hostile NPC objects in the game. II. Enemy Classification 1. Moth Swarm: Initially gathered on a light source, blocking the light. When hit by the player's attack (air current), the moths scatter ...

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ndsT-7nVLyYpJwLOy9ArB2C53OzeqqAS1LTxNoF8pcw/edit?usp=sharing

Phototaxis tilemap texture assets/level background/landscape assets Resource Plan

Phototaxis tilemap texture assets/level background/landscape assets Resource Plan I. Design Objective Define the in-level texture art assets. II. Level Standing Block Assets Chapter 1: Forest (Filename: forest_cubemap) Based on the story background setting, the forest where the protagonist is b...

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GHtYSF8Jym1zv0p1CJ3eDDStb1mzElRhyMcO2-KkXHg/edit?usp=sharing

Solution

Screenshots

Level Design

Final Gameplay

Phototaxis

Play in your browser

https://sakuraigenshin.itch.io/phototaxis

Outcome

• Highest Rank 5% among all entries

• Positive player reviews praising atmosphere & ruleset

• Stable build delivered under jam constraints

• Strengthened team pipeline, gameplay design and GDD practices

Tools