Project Description
Waterfalls is a short third-person adventure level inspired by classics like Tomb Raider, Uncharted, and Indiana Jones. You play as a lone explorer venturing into a forgotten jungle, chasing legends and ancient secrets.
Mission Brief
The level begins as the player arrives at the edge of the jungle by jeep, only to find the road ahead destroyed by a towering waterfall. With no way to drive further, they’re forced to continue on foot through the dense rainforest. The path to the temple winds through natural obstacles like slippery rocks, fallen trees, and steep ledges. Along the way, players can discover hidden paths and scenic views that reward curiosity. The journey culminates at the entrance to the ancient temple, teasing a larger world beyond.
Short Information
Level Name: Waterfalls
Purpose: Portfolio project, introductory level
Engine: Unreal Engine 5
Game Type: Third-person adventure
Purpose: Portfolio project, introductory level
Engine: Unreal Engine 5
Game Type: Third-person adventure
Location Details
Main Objectives
The player must navigate the environment and reach the temple.
Estimated Playtime: 3–5 minutes.
Estimated Playtime: 3–5 minutes.
Optional Objectives
Vista: Provide a scenic viewpoint featuring the waterfall or temple, offering a stunning visual moment.
Hidden Treasure: Include a secret area where players can discover a hidden treasure, rewarding exploration.
Hidden Treasure: Include a secret area where players can discover a hidden treasure, rewarding exploration.
Conditions
Win Condition: The player successfully reaches the temple.
Lose Condition: The player dies, for example, by falling from a height or encountering environmental hazards.
Lose Condition: The player dies, for example, by falling from a height or encountering environmental hazards.
Gameplay Enhancements:
As part of my workflow, sketching is a mandatory stage. I create my sketches directly in Procreate so they’re instantly available in a digital format. This approach lets me iterate rapidly—adjusting composition, scale, and detail with just a few taps—while keeping all layers organized. Having everything digitized from the start also streamlines feedback, sharing, and the transition into 3D blockouts or further concept work.
Sketching the “Waterfalls” level begins by laying out your key visual anchors: the point of view on the Temple establishes the primary focal point, while the positive space in the middle of the river (steam) must create that initial “wow” effect. From there, you mark the vista—a well-placed observation spot that lets players soak in the jungle and waterfall vista—and hint at the secret treasure hidden on the waterfall, teasing curiosity from the very first lines of your concept art.
As you refine the sketch, use natural guiding lines—fallen logs, sloping ledges, winding vines—to draw the eye from the riverbank toward the temple, yet subtly branch off toward hidden niches by the waterfall. This early compositional work ensures both a dramatic centerpiece and rewarding detours, setting a strong foundation for detailed modeling and level design.
As you refine the sketch, use natural guiding lines—fallen logs, sloping ledges, winding vines—to draw the eye from the riverbank toward the temple, yet subtly branch off toward hidden niches by the waterfall. This early compositional work ensures both a dramatic centerpiece and rewarding detours, setting a strong foundation for detailed modeling and level design.
Visual Style and Atmosphere
Reference board
Both visual design and sound play a crucial role in establishing the mood of the level. The vibrant greens of the jungle, the shimmer of water, and the ancient stone textures help create a sense of forgotten mystery. The towering waterfall adds scale and drama, acting as both a visual centerpiece and a natural barrier. Ambient sounds — from distant bird calls to the rush of falling water — bring the jungle to life and immerse the player in the setting. A calm, adventurous soundtrack supports the sense of exploration without overpowering the environment. Together, these elements aim to evoke the spirit of classic jungle adventures.
Theme: Tropical jungle emphasizing a large, dynamic waterfall.
Mood: A sense of mystery, adventure, and the promise of an epic journey ahead.
Color Palette: Vibrant greens of the jungle, shimmering blues of the water, and the muted grays of ancient temple stone.
Key Environmental Features:
Rocks or fallen logs as makeshift bridges over streams.
Climbable cliffs and ledges.
Dense tropical vegetation like vines and large leaves.
Mood: A sense of mystery, adventure, and the promise of an epic journey ahead.
Color Palette: Vibrant greens of the jungle, shimmering blues of the water, and the muted grays of ancient temple stone.
Key Environmental Features:
Rocks or fallen logs as makeshift bridges over streams.
Climbable cliffs and ledges.
Dense tropical vegetation like vines and large leaves.
Mood board
Gameplay Video
Summary
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“Waterfalls” is a short, 3–5 minute third-person adventure level built in Unreal Engine 5 as an introductory showcase for my portfolio. You step into the boots of a tomb raider whose car journey through a tropical rainforest is cut short by a towering, impassable waterfall. Stripped of machinery, you press on foot through lush foliage, hopping over fallen logs, scaling cliff faces, and navigating hidden jungle paths.
The design blends a mostly linear progression with subtle side routes that reward curious players with a breathtaking vista point and a concealed treasure cache. Core mechanics—running and a simple controlled jump—are tuned to keep the pace brisk yet exploratory. Rich ambient audio (rushing water, birdsong, leaf rustle) and a vibrant palette of greens, blues, and moss-covered stone set a mysterious, adventurous mood. The level concludes as you finally breach the waterfall’s mist and arrive at the ancient temple entrance—an evocative teaser for the larger journey to come.
The design blends a mostly linear progression with subtle side routes that reward curious players with a breathtaking vista point and a concealed treasure cache. Core mechanics—running and a simple controlled jump—are tuned to keep the pace brisk yet exploratory. Rich ambient audio (rushing water, birdsong, leaf rustle) and a vibrant palette of greens, blues, and moss-covered stone set a mysterious, adventurous mood. The level concludes as you finally breach the waterfall’s mist and arrive at the ancient temple entrance—an evocative teaser for the larger journey to come.
Thanks for your attention!
© 2025 Niko Timo
nikotimo11@gmail.com
