The idea for Sentient was born while watching a physics showcase presented by Unity. Inspired by its possibilities, I decided to create my own LittleBigPlanet-inspired game, drawing on one of my favorite childhood games.

The core gameplay mechanic is dragging and dropping objects to manipulate the environment. Rather than adding more complex mechanics, I focused on building level designs that make the most of this simple interaction. My childhood experience with platformers and level creation gave me a strong foundation for designing challenges that combine movement, timing, and problem-solving.

The game starts with familiar 2D platformer mechanics. Players can defeat enemies by jumping on their heads, similar to Goombas from Super Mario. Walls, gaps, and pits introduce additional challenges, requiring precise jumps and careful movement to reach the end of each level.

The puzzle aspect builds on these mechanics. Platforms marked in green can be moved remotely using the mouse, allowing players to reshape their surroundings to progress. However, each platform can only move in the directions indicated by the arrows displayed on it. Players must understand these restrictions and plan their movements to create paths, overcome obstacles, and reach otherwise inaccessible areas.

Combining traditional platforming with directional object manipulation creates the foundation for Sentient's puzzle design. Each level challenges players to think spatially while still requiring the timing and precision of a classic jump-and-run game.

Sentient is a personal passion project with a complete ending. It gave me the opportunity to explore physics-based interactions, combine two gameplay styles, and develop a game from its initial concept to a finished experience. I included it in my portfolio to showcase my approach to gameplay design and level design.