PUZZLEBUZZLE

"PuzzleBuzzle" is a 3D puzzle-solving game where players manipulate the environment to overcome obstacles and reach the finish line. Equipped with a versatile Platforming Gun that can create or destroy platforms, players must strategically navigate hazardous terrain—like lava—by building their own path forward.

Genre: Puzzle Solving Game

Role: Game Designer

Duration: 3 weeks

Tool used: Unity, C#

Audience

The game targets players who enjoy immersive puzzle-solving and strategic play, combining environmental interaction, resource management, and first-person navigation through challenging terrain.

User Experience Goal

In this game, players are expected to play an engineer trapped in an underground facility. As the engineer, players will attempt to use two different types of firearms to interact with puzzle elements in the game, thereby creating unique paths for themselves to escape the underground base that is about to be submerged by lava.

Design Insights

  • Players can freely use the platform gun and rifle to create viable routes to reach the endpoint.

  • Although players can create routes at will, as a designer, I have still designed a more stable main path for players, which requires solving puzzles at certain junctures. While navigating the main path requires some mental effort, it is much simpler than laying out one's route using the platform gun. Using the platform gun requires players to manage their platform bullet inventory and also demands a deeper mastery of movement. For most players who wish to clear the game more easily, solving puzzles and constructing routes around the main path is a more reasonable choice. The game allows players to play as they wish, but correspondingly, players will face higher difficulties. This higher difficulty acts as an invisible constraint, limiting players' overly free exploration. This way, while retaining the game's freedom, it also ensures that players can experience the game according to the designed flow.

System Diagram

In "PuzzleBuzzle," the synergy between exploration elements creates a cohesive and engaging experience. Environmental interaction encourages both obstacle-solving and creative thinking. The flexible use of energy bottles and the dual-purpose Platforming Gun let players make strategic choices between building and destruction, while respawn mechanics and variable movement speeds enhance urgency and immersion. Together, these systems form a layered and dynamic gameplay experience.

Mechanic Features

Pick Up

Blue energy bottles are key interactive items collected from generators. When targeted within range, a pick-up icon appears near the crosshair. Picking one up disables the player's weapon.

Platform Usage

The Platforming Gun lets players create solid platforms for traversal. If a platform becomes obstructive, it can be damaged and destroyed using a rifle. This versatility helps players reach otherwise inaccessible areas.

Respawn

You might wonder if the Platforming Gun makes the game too easy—but playtesters didn’t abuse it. Why? Because lava surrounds most areas, and touching it instantly sends players back to the spawn point. Using the Platforming Gun alone becomes risky and inefficient, encouraging smarter, alternative solutions.

Key & Lock Interaction

There are two locker types: one opens by placing an energy bottle, the other by throwing multiple bottles into a basket—making energy bottles a core interactive element.

Quick Throw & Charging Throw

Players can throw energy bottles using the G key. A charge bar determines distance—one segment throws short, two segments throws farther.

Wall Destruction

To give the rifle purpose, destructible walls block the player’s path—just pull the trigger and blast through. Breaking things and leaving debris adds to the satisfaction.