Level Design documentation for a basement level I designed in Unreal Engine for a survival horror game. 

 

Basement Level

 

• Title: Survival Horror Project

• Engine: Unreal Engine

• Role: Level/Encounter Designer

• Genre: Horror

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Overview

 

This is the basement of the museum the protagonists are trying to escape from. Inspired by Resident Evil 2, where the game takes place in one central area that branches out. After the players complete their investigation of the Museum, they will unlock their way to the basement. 

 

The basement is the area before they get to the final boss and escape back outside.

 

What is this space?

 

This space is the beginning of the basement. In order to successfully space, Players will have to complete a series of puzzles and encounter their first zombies. 

 

Where does it appear in the player experience?

 

The basement appears after the player completes the Museum portion. There are 3 sections. 

 

The museum where the players are introduced to plot and diegetic storytelling. Players will start piecing together what happened and start feeling scared or anxious about what comes next. 

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The basement is where the story gets much darker and really leans into the horror.

 

 

What is the main gameplay purpose?

 

 

 

Design Goals

 

 I always include 3 goals. I keep them short and two sentences max. I use these as my "North Star" so that whatever I am doing, I can compare it and make sure it's in service of my goals. 

 

Goal 1

Goal 2

Goal 3

 

Examples could include pacing, exploration, combat, tension, traversal, teaching mechanics, or environmental storytelling.

 

My Responsibilities

 

I was solely responsible for this entire level and its contents. That includes:

• Level layout / blockout

• Encounter design

• Puzzle design (Co-op)

• Gameplay scripting

• Blueprint implementation

• Lighting or atmosphere setup

• Playtesting and iteration

• Enemy logic

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Level Layout

 

Include a **top-down map, blockout screenshot, or annotated image**.

 

Explain:

 

Player starting point:

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Intended critical path

* Optional areas

* Major landmarks

Combat spaces

* Puzzle or interaction spaces

Exit / destination

 

Player Flow

 

Describe how the player progresses through the space.

 

**Entrance → Exploration → Gameplay Beat → Transition → Encounter → Objective → Exit**

 

Explain any major changes in pacing along the way.

 

Key Design Decisions

 

[Decision / Area Name]

 

Design:

Describe what you created.

 

Reasoning:

Explain why you designed it this way.

 

Player Experience:

Explain what you wanted the player to understand, feel, or do.

I wanted the player to feel scared, and that sooner or later an enemy will come out and attack. Up to this point, 

 

Repeat this section for 2–4 important decisions.

 

Gameplay / Encounter Design

 

Describe any important gameplay setup in the level.

 

Include relevant details such as:

 

* Enemy placement

* Sightlines

* Cover

* Traversal

* Resources

* Environmental hazards

* Puzzle dependencies

* Interactive objects

* Player positioning

* Encounter escalation

 

Include an annotated screenshot or diagram when useful.

 

Pacing

 

Explain the rhythm of the level.

 

For example:

 

**Exploration → Tension → Puzzle → Release → Combat → Recovery**

 

Describe how the environment and gameplay support those changes.

 

Iteration

 

Initial Version

 

Describe the original design.

 

Problem

 

What wasn't working?

 

Change

 

What did you modify?

 

Result

 

Explain how the change improved readability, pacing, navigation, gameplay, or the intended player experience.

 

Include before-and-after images when possible.

 

Final Takeaways

 

Briefly summarize what the level demonstrates about your design work.

 

Focus on things such as:

 

* Spatial design

* Player guidance

* Encounter composition

* Pacing

* Technical implementation

* Iteration

* Collaboration