Unreal Engine 5 Project
For this project, I set out to learn the fundamentals of Unreal Engine 5 by designing and implementing a 3D puzzle platformer mechanic and level. Guided by the Double Diamond design framework, I researched puzzle-platformer mechanics, explored UE5’s Blueprint system, and experimented with tutorials before adapting them to my own ideas.
This project gave me hands-on experience with Unreal Engine 5, Blueprints, and level blockouts, and provided a foundation I can expand on in future projects or professional environments.
Team Size: 1
Project Duration: 2 weeks
Role(s): Game design & Prototyping
Project Type: Mini platformer game prototype
Tools: Unreal Engine 5, Figma
My Work
Process Overview
I followed the Double Diamond framework to structure my approach.
Discover: Researched puzzle-platformer mechanics (like Portal’s Portal Gun or Ori’s Bash) to understand what makes a mechanic versatile, intuitive, and engaging. I also explored tutorials and resources to learn UE5’s Blueprint system and level blockout methods.
Define: Established design criteria with feasibility as the top priority, supported by novelty and player appeal.
Develop: Brainstormed several mechanic ideas and selected a dash ability as the most achievable. Through iterations, I implemented a chargeable dash, recharge pickups, bounce pads, moving platforms, checkpoints, and UI elements. Playtesting and adjustments refined the controls and mechanics.
Deliver: Designed a level structured into three zones of increasing difficulty, introducing mechanics gradually and combining them for more complex challenges. A final build and video showcase demonstrated the results.
This structured process helped me both learn the technical basics of UE5 Blueprints and apply iterative design methods to create a complete, playable prototype.
Reflection
For this project, I set out to learn the basics of Unreal Engine 5 by implementing a third-person platformer mechanic and a level blockout. Using the Double Diamond framework, I researched UE5’s Blueprint system, then implemented a dash mechanic by adapting tutorials to fit my design.
While following tutorials initially felt unoriginal, it taught me the logic behind node-based programming and exposed me to features I might not have discovered on my own. However, I underestimated the time required to troubleshoot and learn new software, which limited how much I could polish the level design.
Despite these challenges, I achieved my goals of learning UE5 fundamentals and gaining confidence with mechanics and level design. This project gave me a strong foundation to build on, and the experience will help me when applying to roles that value Unreal Engine knowledge.