For this game jam, we had to create a cozy game. My responsibility was to design and implement the core mechanic: a system of animal spirits that grant temporary abilities throughout a roguelite adventure. The other two team members focused on level design and enemy creation.

I proposed six spirits based on the game's enemy types, each with a unique ability:

​

• Cat: Increased movement and attack speed

• Turtle: Temporary immortality

• Frog: Double jump

• Axolotl: Self-healing

• Hedgehog: Ranged attack

• Bird: Flight
   

Each ability lasts three seconds, followed by a twelve-second cooldown. Players can assign abilities to Q, E, and R, encouraging them to time activations carefully and choose the right ability for each situation.

The goal was to support different playstyles without forcing players into a specific strategy. Defensive abilities improve survivability, while offensive and movement abilities provide advantages in combat and platforming. Choosing one ability also means giving up another, creating meaningful trade-offs.

Personally, I preferred healing over immortality, relying on ranged attacks and movement to avoid damage. This flexibility was central to the design: players could experiment with different combinations and find the playstyle that suited them best.