THE LOST VOICE
My Role
Core Mechanics | Puzzle Design
Level Design | Player Progression
AI System | Animations | Code
Restoration
8 to 15 yrs old
3D Isometric Exploration
Unity / Bolt
6 weeks - Vertical Slice
PC
Overview
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The only lyrebird left on the island which has the ability to mimic any sound is on a journey to recollect the memories and its true voice.
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You play as a lyrebird which has the ability to record any sound in the surroundings and use them to avoid humans, solve puzzles and find the missing sound pieces in the central monument to recollect the lost voice.
Game Highlight
Initial Research
They are most notable for their impressive ability to mimic natural and artificial sounds from their environment, and the striking beauty of the male bird's huge tail when it is fanned out in courtship display. Lyrebirds have unique plumes of neutral coloured tailfeathers and are among Australia's best-known native birds.
About Lyre-Bird
Design Intent
To create an exploration game in which you can record the surrounding sounds in your inventory and use them to solve puzzles.
Sound Research
Possible sounds found on an island.
Game Mechanics - Sound Reactions
Game Mechanics - Record Sounds
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Record different surrounding sounds and use them to solve door puzzles or distract the humans using appropriate sounds.
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You only have 10 sound slots in your inventory, so keep the sounds as per requirement.
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Stay away from the humans, once caught you will lose all of your sounds in the inventory.
Movement
Record Sound
Grab items
Sprint
Select sound from UI
Gameplay
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Explore the environment
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Find and record sounds and unlock different parts of the island
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Player has a sound inventory that can store upto 10 sounds
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Use sounds to solve door puzzles
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Save Checkpoints
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Distract Humans using suitable sounds
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Player restarts from the checkpoint when detected by humans
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Collect all the missing sound pieces to finish the game
Explore the island to collect different surrounding sounds and use them to retrieve the missing sound pieces in the central podium.
Main Goal
The Gameplay helps the children learn different onomatopoeia of surrounding sounds through the character's interactions within the game.
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Game Outcome
Courtesy: yourdictionary.com
The puzzles in the game are placed in such a way that the player must explore a lot in search of the required sound to proceed further.
Core Loop
Game Art: Low-Poly Isometric
Vibrant colors were used to appeal to the kids.
Inspiration
The Last Campfire is a perfect inspiration for visual aesthetics, because of its storybook-based narrative gameplay which is appealing to the younger audience.
Courtesy: The Last Campfire
Level Design
Checkpoints
Play the specific sound shown in the platform to save the checkpoint.
Puzzle Design
Not all sounds are easily recordable. Some require tasks like drop/snatch objects or playing the desired sound.
Acquire Sounds
Some Humans may block your path. You need to distract them using a sound as per the scenario.
Distract Humans
Explore and find sounds to solve the puzzle by playing the specific sounds.
Door Puzzles
Call out animals to the platform using their own sound.
Callout Animals
Collect Missing Sound Pieces
First Piece
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Callout the pig to the platform
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Record the sound when the podium gets lowered
Second Piece
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Callout the Elephant to the platform
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Make the Goat sound on another platform
Third Piece
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Scare way the Hunter
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Callout the Horse to the platform
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Make the Wolf sound on another platform
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Record the sound until the hunter gets back
Level Difficulty
Character Explorations
In-Game Screen
The overall response of the game was amazing, everyone really liked the game art, animations and all the sound puzzles.
The sound mechanics was something new for them to experience in an exploration game.
Playtest & Feedback
