Project Overview
Souls Tower is a strategy Tower Defense game born from an intensive collaboration during the Behavior GameJam in Montreal. The player embodies a dimensional entity, an ethereal being whose survival depends on protecting a source crystal. Unlike classic games in the genre, the originality lies in the player’s ability to navigate between a refuge where time is frozen and the battlefield where they must physically take possession of their towers.
Key Features
- Tower Possession: Each tower represents a different incarnation of the player with a unique combat style and strategy.
- Soul Economy: Essence fragments released by defeated monsters serve as currency to repair defenses and prolong survival.
- Dimensional Mechanics: A home world outside the chaos allows for temporary retreat to plan strategy before returning to the fight.
Development Process
Created within a limited timeframe, the process required perfect synchronization between the artistic and technical teams to translate the ethereal atmosphere and tower “possession” mechanics.
Technologies used:
- Engine: Unity
- Language: C# for wave systems and possession logic
- Graphics: 3D modeling for a “dark and ethereal” aesthetic
- Audio: Immersive sound design to reinforce the contrast between dimensions
Skills Applied
- Jam Game Design: Designing innovative mechanics (tower possession and dimensional jumping) tailored for a short, intense game format.
- Systems Programming: Implementation of enemy wave management, crystal health systems, and soul collection.
- Multi-disciplinary Collaboration: Close teamwork between artists and programmers to deliver a polished product and a strong visual identity.
Challenges and Solutions
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Challenge: Creating a sense of vulnerability while giving powerful abilities to the player. Solution: The obligation to leave the temporal refuge to act. The player must constantly risk the crystal to collect the souls necessary for survival.
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Challenge: Making the transition between the entity and the tower fluid and intuitive. Solution: A simple interface coupled with a dynamic camera change to visually indicate the takeover.
Results and Learnings
The project resulted in a complete playable demo featured on Itch.io. This experience taught us the importance of “game feel”: the sensation of power when possessing a tower radically changes player engagement compared to a passive strategy game.
Play and Watch
The game is officially available for download on the Itch.io platform via the following link: Souls Tower on Itch.io. For those who wish to discover the atmosphere and gameplay in action, a full video presentation is also available on YouTube at this address: Souls Tower Presentation.