The following is a level design exercise where I made a level pitch for a sequence in The Last of Us.

Beat 1 – Linear Narrative

Beat 1 Top Down

Beat 1 – Sequence

Overview: Joel and Ellie traverse through a hotel towards their objective, a bank where Tommy is being held.

• Party drops down from a hole in the wall into the hotel storage room.

• In front of them is a pool of dried blood and something written on the wall which can’t be made out.
  1. Dev note: Visual storytelling elements to heighten tension. 
     1. Who died? 
     2. Am I in danger?

• Turning the party catches a glimpse of the bank. Their goal.
  1. Dev note: Use of a weenie.

• Completing their left turn before them is a T-junction.
  1. Dev note: Option to explore.

• Turning left the party sees the rest of the storeroom and find supplies on the shelves. 
  1. Dev note: Items are 1 duct tape, 1 blade and 1 part.

• Turning 180 degrees the party sees an elevator opposite them. 
  1. Dev note: Blood is continued tension breadcrumb.

• Approaching they see the elevator is tightly sealed leaving them with no option but to take the blood stained path to the right. 

• The party proceeds down the partially collapsed hallway.

Continue reading Tower Trouble – The Last of Us Exercise →