Design Notes

Core Mechanics

• Hit Magnetism
  • Started on it (on goblin spin branch)
  • Not fully working yet
  • Should only apply when fighting
• Removing long range attacks
• Possession
  • Delay lag if miss → 0.5s
  • Chain into possessing different characters
  • Fast swaps: popping in/out and hitting different characters
  • Punch → punch → pull trigger into next enemy
  • Increase rate of health decay over time (maybe a timer)
  • Take damage if you stay in enemy too long
  • Idea: When enemy HP runs out, they’re still alive → player pops out
  • Idea: Enemies die if they enter a new room
• Combat Targeting
  • Auto-targeting for attacks
• Upgrade Ideas
  • Parries deal more damage
  • Apply poison damage

Camera

• Calm exploration has different camera angle than fights
• Over-the-shoulder camera during calm exploration
• Pulls into 3D combat camera during fights
• Precise aiming with hold + charge

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Andrew’s Notes

• Likes new possession camera
• Controller preferred (keyboard secondary)
• Combat feel: 2/3 familiar, 1/3 new
• Whole team should play Arkham Asylum
• Inspired by Arkham free-flow combat system
  • Pop between attacking different enemies
  • Need discussion about health system
• Needs VFX work started
• Enemies should slow down once possessed

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Enemy Design

Goblin Ideas

• 3-hit combo (play animation 3×)
• Two short taps → hold for big 3rd hit
• Remove cooldown from goblin primary
• Secondary = counter/parry
• Tactical shift to move behind player
• Can be thrown farther than guard

Ogre Ideaas

• 2-hit combo
• Ground pound stomp as secondary
• Secondary: slam → paralysis/stun

Serpent Ideas

• Grab + pull back for secondary (?)

Dryad

• Counter = short-range knockback burst (high Knockback, low dmg)
• Half-room range, 3× height
• Projectile light homing (primary)
• Very low health

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Andrew on Enemies

• Each should have primary attack + counter attack
• Secondary = utility (test with/without cooldowns)
• Rhythm:
  • Different rhythms per character
  • Better moves if on rhythm
  • Flow = always on edge, vulnerable while swapping
  • Vulnerability should be part of design
  • Possession is the unique hook
  • Don’t let player stay in one enemy for too long
• Possession Strategy:
  • Player must think about who to possess
  • Rock–paper–scissors dynamic
  • Creates enemy-wave puzzle
  • Each enemy requires different approach

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