Subversion

"Subversion" is a challenging and story heavy 2D platforming game with unique and fun movement mechanics and an original crazy spy narrative.  

"Subversion" presents an original movement system based around transforming into one of two different balls to bounce of the ground and gain maximum height. The higher the fall from a jump and the closest to the ground the transformation happens, the higher the bounce. The player can:

• Transform into a blue ball that has a height cap but allows the player to string together multiple bounces back to back 
• Transform into a red ball that can be used once per continuous bouncing sequence but has no height limit, allowing the player to bounce as high as they wish if they can get the necessary momentum. 
• Hit pink crystals with their sword mid-air to double jump and potentially remain airborne.
• Collect blue crystals to also double jump.

The stages take full advantage of these mechanics to provide:

• A demanding but satisfying level of difficult.
• Continuous airborne sequences based around split second decisions.
• Non linearity and room for experimentation and sequence breaks from strategic use of drops and bounces.
• A variety of different challenges ranging from linear obstacle courses, non linear mazes, key hunting exploration, chase sequences, high speed sequences and a puzzle stage.

These stages are contextualized within a character specific psychological framework as a part of a unique, unexpected and constantly surprising espionage narrative. "Subversion" follows the character of Rosa, a psychologically troubled but intelligent spy as she infiltrates an enemy nation to prevent the imminent invasion of her homeland. She blends like a snake in the royal ruling family by getting engaged to the most gullible of their sons and starts staging their assassinations from inside the home, before discovering both a fellow spy in the family and an anonymous mystery killer also staging their deaths independently of her. There are multiple twists, surprises and revelations along the way that will engage you by keeping you constantly guessing what comes next.

The story segments are presented in interactive 2D top down sequences while gameplay transpires from the traditional 2D side scrolling perspective. The player also has the option to explore both segments to find 25 optional collectibles and be rewarded for it with an additional final chapter, providing them with an extra stage and more story revelations.

The characters and objects in the game are brought to life with the beautiful art of the very talented Margaret Tsavidi. You deserve a favor to yourself so check out her lovely art at @crazyspacecats on Instagram.

The game also uses the “Dynamic Space Background Lite” library available on the Unity Asset Store by "DinV Studio" for the backgrounds of the stages and the scene transition script from the available “Simple Fade Scene Transition System” library in the Unity Asset Store by “negleft”. The font used frequently for the text is the “SourGummy Italic Variable Font” available on Google Fonts.

Current issues and future fixes and additions:

• Due to the limited time and resources, only the characters and objects received the artwork treatment. The top down story segments are unfortunately compromised for the time being by using simple geometric shapes of varying colors for their backgrounds, unlike the characters that have been drawn and animated properly. This is the number one issue that will be prioritized and rectified. 
• Several lines of dialogue contain grammar and spelling errors that will be fixed while some others will be entirely replaced.
• Controller support will be implemented.
• A version that can run on the PS4 will be developed.
• Difficulty options with varying scarcity of checkpoints will be provided.