A gameplay prototype built in Unreal Engine 5 centered around custom turtle movement, traversal mechanics, and state-based enemy AI.
The Long Crawl is an Unreal Engine 5 gameplay prototype where I explored custom character movement, traversal mechanics, enemy behavior, and reusable gameplay systems.
The project focuses on a turtle character with movement behavior affected by the environment, alongside multiple enemy types and NPCs driven by state-based AI logic.
I developed custom movement behavior for the player character, including slope-based movement and friction that allow traversal to react naturally to changes in terrain.
Slope steepness directly affects player movement, with steeper climbs reducing speed and draining stamina. Moving downhill increases speed and transitions the player into a sliding state.
Enemies use state-based logic to respond to the player while supporting different behaviors for each enemy type. I structured the gameplay logic so shared functionality could be reused while individual enemies could implement their own movement, detection, and attack behavior.
Idles until the player enters its detection range, then transitions into combat behavior and pursues the player.
Remains concealed until the player enters its trigger area, then transitions into its attack behavior and initiates the encounter.
The bird attacks when the player enters its detection area, casting a tracking shadow before swooping down to grab them. A successful grab deals damage and drags the player back to the start unless they break free.
NPC turtles use their own state-based behavior to navigate through the environment toward their goal.
Turtle NPCs navigate between waypoints using weighted random selection to vary their paths. They reuse the player’s stamina and slope-based movement systems, allowing their traversal to respond to terrain in the same way as the player.
Developed custom player movement with slope-based behavior and friction to make traversal react to the terrain.
Implemented a shared health and stamina system where traversal actions consume stamina and enemy damage reduces the player's total available stamina.
Built distinct state-based behaviors for multiple enemy and NPC types.
Used reusable Unreal components and interfaces to share gameplay behavior between actors while keeping systems modular.