Unreal Engine Photos : LCMartinez 

Description

This level was created as part of a team-based game development project focused on a post-apocalyptic survival mission. The scenario takes place in a flooded building where the second floor is submerged due to system failure. The player must navigate the environment, disable the power to avoid electrocution, and drain the water to safely progress.
We implemented layered objectives including:

• Retrieving a mysterious artifact for scientific analysis
• Collecting keycards to unlock critical areas
• Managing resources like health packs and ammunition
• Interactive keypads tied to player progression

We also integrated a scripted cutscene triggered when the player climbs down a ladder to transition between areas. The level was built using Unreal Engine and showcases our focus on atmosphere, player guidance, and immersive environmental storytelling.

Tools Used

• Unreal Engine 5
• Blueprint Scripting
• Environment Modeling
• Basic AI/Zombie Logic
• Sequencer for Cutscenes
  
  Key Features
  Level Structure

• Section	Description
  Roof	Entry point where the player begins. Introduces the world, objective, and sets up the descent.
  Main Building (Flooded Floor)	Submerged environment filled with electrical hazards, zombies, and environmental storytelling.
  Basement / Treasure Room	Final location holding the artifact. Requires puzzle-solving, a cutscene ladder transition, and enemy avoidance to access.

Technologies Used

Core Gameplay Features

• 🔌 Power Shutdown Mechanic – Avoid electrocution by locating and disabling circuit systems.
• 💧 Water Drain System – Water dynamically lowers once systems are shut off, revealing safe paths.
• 🧠 Miniature Environmental Puzzles – Progression tied to exploration, sequencing, and item use.
• 🎬 Cutscene Integration – Triggered when descending the ladder, helping guide player flow.
• 🧟 Zombies & Obstacles – Light combat and avoidance elements that create tension and pacing.
• 🗝️ Keycards & Interactive Keypads – Control locked doors and progression routes.
• 🧰 Ammo & Health Pickups – Resources placed to balance challenge and survival.

Design Highlights

 Team Collaboration

• Coordinated level layout across 3 major zones.
• All team members took responsibility for a different zone or system:
  • Puzzle design
  • Lighting & atmosphere
  • Gameplay scripting (Blueprints)
  • Level dressing and flow
• Project completed in under 3 weeks.
  
  Developer Notes
  
  “This level taught me how to collaborate efficiently under a tight timeline while balancing puzzle design, atmosphere, and narrative beats. It pushed my understanding of level pacing, resource management, and environmental storytelling.”