My goal was to tell a deep, personal story that didn’t rely on combat. I wanted the game to explore profound human values, such as love, curiosity, and kindness, through its mechanics, level design, and narrative. The game needed to reflect an emotional journey that players could experience rather than just play through.

I wanted to challenge the conventions of platformers by removing violence and focusing on empathy and discovery instead. The story of Klaus and Elissa enabled me to blend narrative depth with mechanical exploration. It was the ideal foundation for exploring meaningful player choices and symbolic storytelling.

The objective was for players to experience a story that feels personal, with gameplay and emotional stakes intertwined. My goal was to create an atmosphere that invites introspection and to design environments that communicate through metaphors. I also wanted to prototype mechanics that support this, such as health-restoring herbs, destructible environments, and breakable platforms, to reflect emotional vulnerability and growth.

• I chose Elissa as the main character because her perspective adds a deeply emotional dimension to the story. She’s not just following Klaus’s mission; she is the mission.

• I removed combat in order to focus on puzzle-solving and exploration. Now, every interaction is intentional and non-violent.

• A symbolic environmental story. For example, the jungle represented the element of love and was split into three themes: the Devoted, the Self-Absorbed, and the Existent.

• Enemies that metaphorically represent challenges that humans face, such as fear, protectionism, and exploitation.

• I designed the levels as philosophical journeys. Each area represents a theme rather than just a place.