Turning the Tables: Using the Environment to Your Advantage
Posted on December 4, 2022
In the world of casual games, environmental interactions can be just as crucial as they are in hypercasual titles, like I demonstrated in my previous post on Cannon it!.
This time, I'll be exploring the ways in which we can use the environment to our advantage—or occasionally to our disadvantage—in casual games.
From plot twists to strategic gameplay, let's dive into the creative possibilities!
Zombies Eraser
This first-person shooter requires you to fend off hordes of zombies. Inspired by the overwhelming number of zombies in World War Z, I wanted to create a similar vibe.
In this example I created, the environment plays a key role in both helping and hindering the player. When a massive group of zombies approaches, the player might attempt to release a container to block their path. However, the noise from the container attracts even more zombies, leaving the player in a worse situation than before.
Two additional variants include a bridge that can be destroyed to crush zombies or potentially backfire and leave the player to deal with them the old-fashioned way.
Cover Raid
This cover shooter game challenges players' assumptions about red explosive barrels commonly found in video games.
In the video I created, the player encounters three powerful enemies and decides to shoot a nearby red barrel, expecting an easy victory. To their surprise, the explosion reveals a dozen strategically positioned enemies, making the situation much more difficult than anticipated.
Castle War
Castle War is a game where players defend their castle against invaders by upgrading defenses and controlling a ballista.
In this example, I introduce a bonus level with an overwhelming number of enemies. Players must use their cunning and the environment to succeed. In these two variants above, timely destruction of a bridge eliminates most of the enemies.
As a bonus video, I added a flaming arrow power-up that allows players to set fire to a large horde of enemies with a single well-placed shot.
By incorporating environmental interactions in casual games, we can create moments of tension, strategy, and surprise that keep players coming back for more. Stay tuned for more insights into my game development journey!