What goes into making a fun level in a top down shooter?
by Matt_Lloyd · in Game Design and Creative Issues · 02/02/2005 (6:47 pm) · 5 replies
Hi,
I've been working on a small game these last couple of weeks (screenshots can be found here: http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~gezeder/lloyd/ScreenShot3.jpg )
which is a top down shooter where you move a small squad around a map blasting aliens and trying to rescue civilians.
Most of the game's core functionality works, it seems fun enough, but I have little knowledge as to what makes a "fun level". I want the levels to be varied enough that the game does not seem too repetitive.
Does anyone know of any good resources that might shed a little light on what makes a level fun?
Does anyone have any tips for designing levels?
Thanks,
Matt Lloyd
I've been working on a small game these last couple of weeks (screenshots can be found here: http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~gezeder/lloyd/ScreenShot3.jpg )
which is a top down shooter where you move a small squad around a map blasting aliens and trying to rescue civilians.
Most of the game's core functionality works, it seems fun enough, but I have little knowledge as to what makes a "fun level". I want the levels to be varied enough that the game does not seem too repetitive.
Does anyone know of any good resources that might shed a little light on what makes a level fun?
Does anyone have any tips for designing levels?
Thanks,
Matt Lloyd
#2
Other than that, does your game have a story? The biggest ways for your levels to not be repetitive is for each to have unique goals, introduce new enemies/weapons/powerups, have level groups which have slightly (or very) different themes, and interesting places to discover.
02/02/2005 (7:57 pm)
You might look over at gamasutra.com. They have lots of articles on a variety of game design subjects.Other than that, does your game have a story? The biggest ways for your levels to not be repetitive is for each to have unique goals, introduce new enemies/weapons/powerups, have level groups which have slightly (or very) different themes, and interesting places to discover.
#3
02/02/2005 (8:25 pm)
Play lots of similar games. Good artists create. Great artists steal ;) 
#5
www.the-underdogs.org/game.php?id=1788
Unfortunately, it's been a long time since I played it, so I can't really give you any specifics on why it was good, it's just the game that came to mind.
02/05/2005 (11:19 am)
Seeing that screenshot, and your question mademe think of Alien Breed: tower Assault. Probably the best top down shooter I have played.www.the-underdogs.org/game.php?id=1788
Unfortunately, it's been a long time since I played it, so I can't really give you any specifics on why it was good, it's just the game that came to mind.
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