{"id":4799,"date":"2026-01-12T02:42:25","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T02:42:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/?p=4799"},"modified":"2026-01-12T06:15:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T06:15:14","slug":"narrative-levels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/2026\/01\/12\/narrative-levels\/","title":{"rendered":"Narrative &amp; Levels"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"block-32edfec9-dd78-47bb-a8f3-4ae81796accb\">Since I planned for my game to revolve around meeting 7 different archetypes, I had to make sure that my narrative and level designs were clear and planned out well enough in preparation for next semester, in which we would make our games. After thinking it over a little more, having to draw, animate, and write dialogue for 9 different characters and even more environments (counting the Lovers as 2 separate characters) was possibly too ambitious, so I decided to represent some characters as inanimate objects (e.g. the sun and moon or a tree). Although I am confident in my pacing when making game art and concept art, the level of detail I wanted in the artwork and other factors would mean it would automatically take slightly longer to finish a piece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below are very early notes for my planning of each level and storyline progression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2330\" height=\"921\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/01\/IMG_0995-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4827\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/01\/IMG_0995-1.jpg 2330w, https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/01\/IMG_0995-1-300x119.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/01\/IMG_0995-1-1024x405.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/01\/IMG_0995-1-768x304.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/01\/IMG_0995-1-1536x607.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/01\/IMG_0995-1-2048x810.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2330px) 100vw, 2330px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1919\" height=\"758\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/01\/IMG_0996-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4828\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/01\/IMG_0996-1.jpg 1919w, https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/01\/IMG_0996-1-300x118.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/01\/IMG_0996-1-1024x404.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/01\/IMG_0996-1-768x303.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/01\/IMG_0996-1-1536x607.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1919px) 100vw, 1919px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Narrative &amp; Levels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I already mentioned that I wanted the player to be able to meet 6 different archetypes (some inanimate objects), which meant 7 main areas and 3 environments for minigames or further exploration:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Magician&#8217;s tower<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The High Priestess&#8217; temple<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Empress&#8217; oasis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Emperor&#8217;s fortress<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Hierophant&#8217;s field<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Lovers&#8217; garden<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Chariot&#8217;s seaside cabin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The woods<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The ocean<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The river<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For this post, I am just laying out the progression of the story and placement of each puzzle simply and in bullet points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td>Puzzle Type<\/td><td>Description<\/td><td>Example<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Hidden object\/exploration<\/td><td>Player searches an environment to find a required item, often with subtle visual or contextual clues<\/td><td>Finding a hidden tarot card in a room<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Inventory<\/td><td>Player collects items from the environment and combines them to solve a problem<\/td><td>Building\/patching up a boat to progress to the next area<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Open-ended\/narrative<\/td><td>Player observes\/examines an image to reflect on its meaning<\/td><td>Examine an abstract image<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Environmental\/exploration<\/td><td>Player uses items in the environment or inventory to solve a problem<\/td><td>Feed and tame a wild horse<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Minigame (Secondary)<\/td><td>Player moves left\/right to avoid obstacles<\/td><td>Dodging rocks in a boat<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Minigame (Secondary)<\/td><td>QTEs<\/td><td>Climb the mountain side<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Spatial\/tile-sliding<\/td><td>Player moves tiles to align image<\/td><td>Fix a mismatched picture<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Riddle<\/td><td>Players read and answer a riddle<\/td><td>Use the riddle&#8217;s answer to change the environment and go through the correct gate<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Intro<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You wake in the forest on a bed of flowers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dog licks your face<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They venture through the <strong>woods <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Level 1: The Magician (Tutorial)<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They find a tower, and the dog runs inside<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You follow after and end up on the top floor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You meet the Magician<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Puzzle<\/strong>: Explore the room and use items from the environment to find the hidden tarot card\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Win State<\/strong>: Finding the tarot card and leaving the tower (<mark style=\"background-color:#ffffff;color:#9b51e0\" class=\"has-inline-color\">+ tarot card<\/mark>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fail State<\/strong>: Not finding the card. The puzzle does not end until you have found it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Puzzle<\/strong>: Patch up a boat using items from the environment to sail to the next level<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Level 2: The High Priestess<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You and Dog sail to the temple<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>She greets you but is unable to give you the answer you&#8217;re looking for<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Puzzle<\/strong>: Examine an abstract image\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Win State<\/strong>: Discuss the image with the character and get back on the boat (<mark style=\"background-color:#FFF;color:#9b51e0\" class=\"has-inline-color\">+ tarot card<\/mark>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fail State<\/strong>: N\/A<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Level 3: The Empress<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>While in the boat, the sky starts darkening and the waves get rougher, rocking the boat<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Empress saves you and Dog, bringing you back to shore<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Before you part ways to continue your journey, she gives you a pomegranate <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Puzzle<\/strong>: Feed and tame a wild horse that can&#8217;t reach a pomegranate tree\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Win State<\/strong>: Giving your pomegranate to the horse, and in turn, will let you ride on its back (<mark style=\"background-color:#FFF;color:#9b51e0\" class=\"has-inline-color\">+ tarot card<\/mark>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fail State<\/strong>: Not giving the horse the pomegranate. The puzzle does not end until you give it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Level 4: The Emperor<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You, Dog, and the horse ride into the mountains<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You meet the Emperor in his fortress<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He doesn&#8217;t have the answer you&#8217;re looking for, so tells you to meet the Hierophant<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Choice<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Minigame<\/strong>: Take the boat and try to avoid the rocks\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Win State<\/strong>: Successfully avoiding almost all the rocks and progressing to the next area (<mark style=\"background-color:#FFF;color:#9b51e0\" class=\"has-inline-color\">+ tarot card<\/mark>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fail State<\/strong>: Colliding with too many rocks and breaking the boat. Redo the minigame<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Minigame<\/strong>: Climb the mountainside \n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Win State<\/strong>: Successfully completing almost all the QTEs and progressing to the next area (<mark style=\"background-color:#FFF;color:#9b51e0\" class=\"has-inline-color\">+ tarot card<\/mark>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fail State<\/strong>: Missing too many QTEs. Redo the minigame<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You, Dog, and the horse make it out of the mountains and back into the woods, but you&#8217;re lost<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You happen across a farmer. He tells you there&#8217;s a fork in the road up ahead, and one of the paths is dangerous. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He asks to trade the horse in exchange for directions to the safer path<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Choice<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Trade the horse for directions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep the horse and find your own way<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You make your way down the path and reach the fork in the road <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Choice<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Go left (safe)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Go Right<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Level 5: The Hierophant<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You, Dog, [and the horse] get to the Hierophant&#8217;s fields<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A wise tree with keys for leaves stands in the middle, a locked gate behind it<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Puzzle<\/strong>: Move tiles\/unscramble tiles to create an image (or text puzzle using words hidden in the environment &#8211; fill in the blank)\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Win State<\/strong>: Successfully unscrambling the image\/filling in the blank. The tree will drop the correct key (<mark style=\"background-color:#FFF;color:#9b51e0\" class=\"has-inline-color\">+ tarot card<\/mark>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fail State<\/strong>: Not unscrambling the image. The puzzle does not end until you can unscramble the image\/fill in the blank.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Level 6: The Lovers<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Use the key to open the gate to the Lovers&#8217; garden<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The sky holds the sun and the moon, one side of the garden overgrown and decaying, the other sun-lit and thriving<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There are three gates &amp; a riddle next to each one. You must create harmony within the garden<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Puzzle<\/strong>: Use the riddle&#8217;s answer and environment to unlock the correct gate\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Win State<\/strong>: Make the garden balanced by replanting flowers and moving items. The gate unlocks (<mark style=\"background-color:#FFF;color:#9b51e0\" class=\"has-inline-color\">+ tarot card<\/mark>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fail State<\/strong>: Not moving around the correct items. The puzzle does not end until you have rearranged the environment correctly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Level 7: The Chariot<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You, Dog, [and the horse] get to the Chariot&#8217;s seaside cabin<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You&#8217;re invited inside and speak with the Chariot, who gives you his tarot card as a reward for making it this far and gives you a choice<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You still can&#8217;t remember your past, but it isn&#8217;t so bad here<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He takes the cards and makes a new mask for you &#8211; transformation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Choice<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sail into the ocean to continue your search<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>[Ride the horse] back to town and settle there<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">End<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Since I planned for my game to revolve around meeting 7 different archetypes, I had to make sure that my narrative and level designs were clear and planned out well enough in preparation for next semester, in which we would make our games. After thinking it over a little more, having to draw, animate, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4799","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4799","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4799"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4799\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4961,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4799\/revisions\/4961"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4799"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4799"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/rp11g23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4799"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}