Double-Vision is a top-down horror RPG about a pair of kids who run out into the woods while being attacked by invisible monsters. The game opens with Hoko, one of the two kids, explaining how the two escaped an attack on the other's - Cory's - home. It is revealed that both of them possess the unique ability to see some of the monsters when others cannot at all, but they can't always see the same ones as each other. Knowing this, they set off deeper into the forest to kill the leader of the monsters, where they encounter enemies and obstacles which require them relying on each other's view of the world in order for them to progress. Eventually, they face off against their destined foe - Vysled, the leader of the monsters plaguing them.
This game was created by team Sudden Immersion:
Lead Programmer - Jessica Peters
Art Director - KK Marsh
Level Designer - Wendy Escamilla
Sound Designer - Ben Lea
Trailer
Gameplay
My Process
Double-Vision was a big project which taught me about game balance. I was the primary programmer and designer of the game; I designed and then programmed the active-time battle system which moves characters into battle positions and then runs an always-moving system of enemies fighting and characters reacting. I designed this system to make the gameplay feel more dire and urgent, not allowing the player too much time to plan before having to make a decision.
Beyond the battle system, I also implemented world elements and enemies into the two world viewing states that the player could switch between. I designed a system which other designers could modify and add elements to, and I gained experience going into another designer’s system, learn it, and then added elements myself. Clear commenting, sticking to established coding conventions, and team communication is a must.
However, Double-Vision was rough project, full of team disagreements over project elements. Oftentimes, members would make decisions that conflicted with previously established milestones and tasks. It taught me how valuable it is to have conflict resolution skills and to help provide a safe working environment.
Double-Vision was developed over 4 months using Unity, Visual Studio 2019, Piskel, and Medibang. A download of the game is available here.