Illume is a 3D side-scrolling puzzle platformer where the player is the only source of light in an otherwise dark world. By using their light to reveal hidden objects and pathways, the player must solve puzzles and progress through each level, ultimately reaching the top and restoring light to the world.
My Contributions
Developed the foundation for the growing tree system, including its material and visual effects
Modified the main character animations to better reflect the player's current state
Developed the base framework for light-reactive game elements that can be revealed or activated by the player
The growing trees are one of the core mechanics of the game. When the player shines their light onto a tree root, the tree begins to grow, revealing different elements that help the player progress through the level. The tree system also serves as a foundation for other puzzle elements, allowing the mechanic to be reused and expanded to create more varied puzzle experiences.
The initial animation set for the player included idle, walking, jumping, airborne, and landing animations. However, the airborne animation was designed as a short, non-looping sequence that transitioned directly into the landing animation. Since the player can fall from varying heights, this caused the landing animation to play before the character had actually reached the ground. The airborne state therefore needed to support indefinite falling while still transitioning naturally into the landing animation once the player landed.
The final feature I developed for this project was a collection of environmental elements that react to the player's light when they are nearby. These include grass, flowers, weeds, rocks that the player can stand on, and background vines. Together, these elements help reinforce the player's role as the world's primary source of light and make the environment feel more responsive to their presence.
