Five Heroes - Level Design
Quest Maps and Environment
About Five Heroes
Five Heroes is a story-driven turn-based RPG. As a warlord, you recruit heroes, complete quests, progress through the storyline, defeat various enemies and bosses and upgrade your heroes.My Involvement
After planning the story campaigns, I broke them down into levels. I designed each level in the Unity engine, using custom editor tools developed by the programmers. When designing levels, I started with flow design elements, such as quest givers, objectives, trigger zones, and dynamic changes. Once the flow was ready, I moved on to environment design - map, terrain, atmosphere, foliage, props, effects.
↓ Here are some examples of levels I designed ↓
The "Arms Reach" Castle
The capital of the Firestone Kingdom, and home to the King himself. A fortified safe haven for the Kingdom's nobility. It is so safe, that its inhabitants have zero clue about the undead invasion happening just outside of its walls:
The Amazon Fortress
Long gone are the days when Amazons lived as scattered tribes in wooden huts. The Amazon Fortress stands as a tropical paradise and the beacon of civilization in Midland. It is the home to the Amazon Queen, the ruler of all Midland.
The White Peak Mines
Long ago, the snowy mountains of the White Peak were colonized by the Firestone Kingdom, after a large deposit of Diamonds had been found at their peaks. As the miners dug deeper into the mountain, they unearthed an ancient evil - the undead forces led by the Skeleton King. Nowadays, 200 years later, the mines are abandoned.
The Ancient Amazon City
Claiming that Amazons are primitive wild tribes is a huge misconception. They have a long history and a rich legacy, and the prime example is the Ancient Amazon City. Centuries ago, used to be more populated. But over time, it was mysteriously abandoned. Legends say, there is an ancient evil lurking beneath the city. It was driving the Amazons insane, forcing them to fight each other. Eventually, the city was abandoned, but well-preserved.
The Citadel of the Dead
No one knows who built the Citadel of the Dead. Legends say it predates the Firestone Kingdom. Centuries ago, an ancient human empire practiced dark arts seeking immortality. Eventually, they achieved their goal by turning themselves into the undead legions. Even though they were defeated, they are bound to return and haunt the living.
The Crossroads Inn
For generations, the Crossroads Inn has been the favorite resting place for the Firestone's monarchs and nobility. Built so conveniently by the river on the crossroads, it attracts a lot of wealthy visitors.
The Royal Cemetery
The Royal Cemetery is the largest and the most beautiful cemetery in the Firestone Kingdom. This is where generations of the royal lineage rest in peace. No wonder the Skeleton King chose this place to fill up his ranks - there is enough fresh material buried under the soil.
The Tortuga Island
Despite being a small island, Tortuga is one of the most important pirate trade hubs across Midland. Therefore, it is heavily defended, mostly crowded with pirates. It used to be an Amazon island but was lost to pirates long ago.
The River of Two Settlements
The River of Two Settlements is known for the history of two settlements built on either of its sides - an Amazon village on the west bank, and a pirate village on the east bank. They used to fight each other for years until the two tribes realized their battles were polluting the river. The very river that provided for both settlements. To avoid mass hunger and extintion, the two tribes signed a peace treaty. Nowadays, both villages flourish. However, this peace hangs in the balance - every minor conflict threatens to escalate and put the two settlements into war again.
The Ancient Amazon Temple
Claiming that Amazons are primitive wild tribes is a huge misconception. They have a long history and a rich legacy, and the prime example is the Ancient Amazon City. One of the most remarkable of its wonders is the Ancient Temple. The Amazon Pantheon consists of three deities - Barhalla, the first Amazon, Nishbarla, the Amazon that built the Ancient Amazon City, and Inal'ra'bak, the one who made Amazons the dominant power in Midland.
Koth - The Barbarian Kingdom
Deep in the desert lies the capital of the great Barbarian kingdom. It is home to Koth, a proud nation that rules over the other desert tribes. For the last few decades, it has been locked in a neverending war with Goblins from the east, who are jealous of their prosperity. The city of Koth is a well-defended fortress that has never been taken by siege.
The Cathedral
The Cathedral is headquarters of the Paladin Order and a place where all prayers to the Archon are conducted. It is also home to the Grandmaster of the Paladins. The Cathedral district is the wealthiest district of the Iron City, where only the most devoted Paladins are allowed to live.
The Archon's Chapel
The holiest place of the Iron City, where the Great Archon himself resides. Nobody is allowed near the Archon unless he requests to grant an audience to someone himself. Only the high-ranking Paladins dwell in the residential area around the chapel. Those Paladins whom the Archon entrusts to protect his chapel and guard the Holy Fountain - the vessel of Holy Water that heals all curses and diseases.
The Corrupted Archon's Chapel
When the Archon succumbs to the corruption, so does the Iron City. The Archon's Chapel becomes the den of evil. This is where the heroes must confront and defeat him.
The Sewers
The sewers are the only place where the Iron City authorities would not look for thieves and fugitives - those from the Iron City can't stand the stench. The sewers are the home to various criminal syndicates, gangs, or just miners who decided to live off-grid - all answering to the Sewerlord. However, since the corruption started taking over the sewers, his tight grip on the sewers has started loosening.
The Corrupted Mines
The work at the mines is hard enough - huge demands, and poor working conditions. But when the corruption hit the mines, a high number of miners found themselves affected. Over time, they succumbed to corruption and lost the last shreds of their humanity. They turned into feral beasts, attacking those miners who still haven't been infected.
