Puzzle of St. Matthew
A word and image-based puzzle prototype set in a mysteriously abandoned cathedral
Goal:
To make an atmospheric exploration prototype based around language-based and image-based puzzles.
Project Details:
This prototype was made over the course of a week using Unreal Engine 5.
Blueprints designed to break large scripts down into Custom Events, and use Macros to reduce repeated code.
Designed a key-collection functionality using Interfaces, intended to reduce casting.
Utilised lighting systems (Lumen, point/spot lights, emissives) to create a dramatic and atmospheric mood.
Applied post-processing volumes to enhance tone, contrast, bloom, and depth of field for cinematic visuals.
Implemented volumetric fog, particle effects, and lens flares to add depth and realism to the environment.
Assets used came from the FAB store or were made using Adobe Photoshop.
Design Breakdown:
- Having collected the letters, player must input them into the base of a statue found at the back of the cathedral.
- Players need to unscramble the letters to create the words 'UNLOCK' and 'DOOR'
- Proceeding to the next section, players have to piece together a broken floor mosaic to progress.
- The pieces are picked up by clicking and dragging them into the right locations.
- If the player becomes stuck, further exploring of the cathedral will give them in a hint due to the hanging banners of St. Matthew at the front of the nave.
- Slotting in all the pieces correctly grants the player a key which they can use to open the cathedral doors and escape.
Player Intended Flow:
- Players will find an old tome at the pulpit with an exerpt from St. Matthew's gospel.
- Upon looking closely, they will see unusual capitalization amongst the words.
- They must take note of these letters and the order they appear in.
Reviewing and Iteration:
- Gained peer feedback via external testing.
- Refined word puzzle to ensure it was challenging but not misleading.
- Reviewed and improved player instructions, making sure they were precise and consistent to increase task clarity.
