What went right?

Menu System UX

Once the UI was completed, all the issues mentioned were resolved. It was incredibly satisfying to behold a seemingly legitimate menu and inventory system for the player. Not only could players see what items they possessed, but they also received hints about what they were missing. I’m eager to tackle this again and enhance its interactivity even further.

Camera Use

I was thrilled with the camera setup I devised. Initially, the camera remained stationary wherever the player halted. Gradually, I refined it to hover closer, just above characters engaged in conversation. In the final iteration, I implemented a cinematic-inspired camera that dynamically adjusted to capture characters speaking, injecting a sense of dynamism into basic dialogues. The Battle Intro scenes, employing VFX and the camera to amplify excitement, proved particularly enjoyable and enlightening. This experience taught me a great deal about the intricacies of camera dynamics.

Teaching through Elements

My aspiration was to instill a deeper appreciation for chemistry among kids by incorporating elements based on real science into the game. For instance, players could collect a Coal card and then combine it with the Gravity and Fire cards to craft a Diamond—an upgrade from a relatively mundane card to an incredibly resilient one capable of withstanding damage. The concept extended further, such as merging the Sun card with the Diamond to unleash a laser power capable of dealing devastating blows to opponents. On a simpler note, combining Fire and Water cards produced the Steam card. While not as potent as fire or water individually, Steam possessed the advantage of attacking first and embodying the strengths of both elements.

Location System UI

As the game world expanded, we recognized the need to incorporate a compass device to aid navigation. However, we opted against providing explicit directions, as the game revolved around maze-based exploration. Instead, the compass element pointed players in the right direction, leaving them to navigate to the objective on their own. This integration relied on a clever use of UI overlay and a straightforward waypoint marker system.

Elemental Designs

The evolution of my elemental character designs was quite remarkable. Initially, I began with symbols on cards, but as the game progressed, I transitioned to characters. However, these early designs lacked vitality and appeared somewhat lifeless. In the final iterations, the characters exuded personality and energy, breathing life into the game. I’m eager to expand upon this concept in future iterations.

UI / UX Reflection

Venturing into the realm of card battle games for the first time, I drew inspiration from classics like Pokémon and Final Fantasy. However, I have several fresh ideas to inject more interactivity and excitement into the action.

Battle Interface Enhancements

1. Implementing a tap mechanic to select cards and reveal their move lists would streamline gameplay.
2. Introducing gesture-based attacks, such as swiping forward for quick strikes and swiping backward for defensive maneuvers, would add depth to combat.
3. Incorporating special finishes on card faces, like metallic or holographic designs reminiscent of real-life collectible cards, would enhance the visual appeal.
4. Introducing more tactical move options involving rest turns and last-chance turns would deepen strategic gameplay.

UI Aesthetics

While the current UI adopts a flat design, I envision a more dynamic approach with varying levels of opacity and textured interfaces resembling metallic or crystal surfaces for added visual interest.