Role: Character & Environment Artist
Duration: 2019
Tools Used: Adobe Photoshop, Unity
Duration: 2019
Tools Used: Adobe Photoshop, Unity
A 2D Mystery Exploration Game
Game Concept | Narrative Design | Systems Design
PURE is a lore-rich, 2D interactive game set in a mysterious world where ancient gods now live among humans and something about their behavior feels… wrong. Players unravel the truth by gathering clues, interrogating deities, and navigating a system of consequence-driven choices.
Core Concept
The gods once walked among mortals as protectors. Now, their presence feels unsettling. Players must uncover what’s changed by piecing together clues and testing divine boundaries through strategic dialogue and exploration.
Gameplay Features
Interrogation System
Give the right response → earn a horn (divine favor)
Give the wrong one → enter combat
Horn Collection
Horns act as both currency and keys; unlocking new environments, characters, and narrative threads
Mystery-Driven Progression
Dialogue, visual storytelling and visual novel-inspired format, and environmental puzzles weave together to slowly reveal the divine corruption at the heart of the world
Tools & Engine
▸Unity (game engine)
▸Photoshop (concept art, sprite)
▸Custom 2D character animations (idle, jump, movement)
▸Dialogue and state machines via Unity Animator and C# scripting
Character Design
My character design centers on Delico Jones, a sharp-witted, old-fashioned investigator with a lone-wolf persona. Inspired by classic noir detectives, his design emphasizes mood and personality; with a long coat as a key visual element to reflect both his timeless style and guarded nature.
Environment Design
The environment is designed with isometric gameplay in mind, featuring interactive spaces with locked doorways and dynamic camera controls that allow players to zoom in and out to explore details and uncover hidden clues.
The game unfolds across three distinct phases, each represented by a unique environment:
▸A bright, idyllic suburban neighborhood that masks hidden tension
▸A quiet, labyrinthine library filled with forgotten knowledge and cryptic clues
▸A shadowy underworld where the truth is revealed and consequences unfold
Reflection
Working on PURE allowed me to explore moral tension and consequence-based storytelling through the interrogation mechanic, while the horn collection system acted as a narrative and gameplay bridge, giving weight to every interaction. This project strengthened my passion for narrative design and taught me how to create emotional impact through minimal, focused mechanics.
Although the full mechanics and features were not completed due to the project’s ambitious scope, it became a valuable learning experience. If I were to revisit this concept, I would simplify the visual style; possibly using a stripped-back black-and-white aesthetic and explore integrating 3D elements to better support gameplay functionality and depth.
Ultimately, PURE helped me grow as both a designer and storyteller, showing me the importance of balance between concept, scope, and execution.
