Cutie Game Design

Game Design

Cutie BoïngBean is a Metroïdvania-like kindda. Let's think about this some more.

This game as NO ENNEMIES (it's made for human beings, we don't kill! Like, it's a commandment, one of the top most ones).

So the mechanics need to be fucking compelling as shit, to be a collect-a-ton and not get boring.

The feel of just moving around has to be just awesome, full of speed, control, inertia and juicy juicy animation.

Environment design should incite the player to explore, learn about the world.

Game Mechanics

The Elements

The character and the sets are made of credible materials. This allows the player to anticipate what elements will affect the character how, in a logical manner.

Cutie and most of the world is paper like, so :

Wind

Wind caries Cutie ; so it can :

• boost jumps
• prevent passage (by blowing the wrong direction)
• push objects
• Carry fire from a source !

Wind can be mitigated by :

• placing a rock somewhere to use as a wind shield
• closing a hole mechanically

Fire

Fire burns (d'uh); so it can :

• Destroy set pieces
• Hurt Cutie
• Create Ascending currents (for balloons or slow wind)
• Light the way

Fire can be carried by the Wind.

Fire can be mitigated by :

• Rolling a rock onto it
• Pouring water onto it

Water

Water is the polymorphic element : it can turn into Ice and Vapour.

Liquid Water

Liquid water can :

• Wet Cutie, making them stick for a while.
• Carry boat-Cutie with the current (and waves).
• Extinguish fire

Water can be mitigated by :

• Fire & wind at the same time (turns into vapour)
• Turning Cutie into a paper boat
• Floating ice

Ice

Solid Ice can

• Fix water in place.
• Make water crossable
• Be slippery
  • give a speed boost to surfaces
  • prevent braking
• be broken by rock
• Float on fluid water for moving platforms

Ice can be created by :

• Using Wind & Ice combined

Ice can be turned into fluid water :

• Using Fire

Vapour

Water vapour can

• Move water to a higher place
• Wet Cutie
• Wet other set pieces
• Melt ice

Vapour can be created by :

• Fire & Wind & Liquid Water

Vapour can be mitigated by :

• Placing a rock to stop its progression
• Travel distance; turns back into liquid after:
  • hitting a set surface
  • a certain distance

Rock

Rock is solid and heavy; can be fragile. It can :

• Impede the progression of:
  • fluid water
  • vapour
  • wind
• Slide on Ice
• Break other rock

Rock is mitigated by:

• Buldodash
• Ice can break through cracks
• 3D Flip can be used to avoid contact with the rock:
  • passing over a rolling rock
  • passing underneath one

Difficulty Modes

• Playa: No respawn of the collectibles on death
• Easy: Collectibles respawn on death
• Real Peasy: No death

References

Gameplay

• Gris
• Kirby's Epic Yarn something
• Hollow Knight

Art

• Zelda Windwaker