Reliquare

A 3D puzzle game solo developed by me as part of my Game Design Master's Degree program.

About the project

Reliquare (originally Sudoku Island) aims to design and create a series of systems that expand on a single puzzle mechanic, accomplishing something similar to The Witness (2016), where a single puzzle mechanic is used in addition to different elements, creating a plethora of variations resulting in diverse gameplay even though the main mechanic doesn’t change during the whole playthrough. In this case, the puzzles are based on Sudoku.

Technical information

Developed in Unity 3D

Puzzle

Game

80% Completed

Solo

Developed

Thesis

Project

Designed from scratch

From the original concept proposed as my thesis, I've spent six months designing and fine-tuning the game design document to its final version. The process allowed me to develop the game with a "development tool" approach.

Check out the GDD

Improving the level through playtesting

As part of my program, I had the opportunity to put my game through numerous live playtesting sections which yielded amazing results and insights into the level design and overall progression of the project.

The Feedback

"Tiago's thesis is one of the larger if not largest in terms of content and polish the master's program has developed here at AAU. The thesis is close to perfect and an excellent example of an entire game developed by a single developer utilizing level design and singular mechanics. The progression is very good as it develops into more challenging puzzles but still engage the player beyond the singular puzzle mechanic. Player gets to utilize the environment to help solve puzzles and feel connected to the story and lore portrayed in story bits and visual story telling. Level design is very good and fits the game itself further enhancing the experience. It would be easy to fall into the trap of just going from puzzle to puzzle and overwhelm the player but the player pathing and engagement with the environment of finding the next puzzle really grounds the game. Its fun to look for new bits of story or catch of glimpse of natural beauty surrounding the island. Overall a great game development thesis project that shows how hard work, play testing, patience and resilience pays off. Congratulations Tiago it's been a pleasure working with you and look forward to future endeavours."

- Feedback from Thesis' Final Presentation