JuxArt – Animation and Games

Game Design/Animator
James Phang Chan Chow

Sound/Models
Michelle Lim

Lead Programmer
Phang Chan Chun

Programmer
Peng Zhansheng
Michael Tan

Special Thanks
Media Development Authority

The following is a video capture of the level 5-2 in Normal mode. This video shows off some of the skills the player will use in the game, especially the “summon armor” skill which summons an opposite colored copy of the player, in “block” form. The player is then able to alternate between control of the the two characters, for example doing “speed-ball” specials (Hurling the summoned copy at enemies while in block form), and creating temporary platforms.

This is a brief explanation of the various game modes players can expect to enjoy and unlock. Initially some basic modes are unlocked for play, with additional game modes are unlocked further into the game to extend lifespan and re-playability.

In addition, meeting certain conditions such as completing the game without taking any damage, or collecting a number of items in the stage, unlocks achievement tokens and counts towards the game’s “100% completion” tracking.

The game also tracks the “best times” for the various levels, so players can go back to replay the levels to achieve a faster time.

SINGLE PLAYER
Tutorial Mode – short levels to teach players the basic mechanics of the game as well as show them what endgame abilities they can look forward to. (Available from Start)

Quest Mode – An extended 30-level campaign where players gradually unlock the abilities and make use them to complete the stages. Also gives them hints on more advanced techniques. (Available from Start)

Quest Mode: New Game Plus – The original 30 levels are tweaked to be more difficult with additional obstacles which forces players use different solutions to overcome the levels. New tilesets are also used so the stages look quite different visually. Unlocked upon completing the normal Quest Mode.

Select Level - Players can replay any levels they have completed to gain 2 new achievements, i.e. taking no damage gives them a Perfect Level Complete token, and collecting the 5 gems scattered in the stage fives them the All Gems Collected token. All these tokens count towards the game’s Game Completion % which tracks the player’s progress in the game.

TWO PLAYER
Speed Run - 2 players compete in a series of levels to see who reaches the exit 1st. Only levels which have been unlocked in single player quest mode will be available for play here.

Crystal Hunter – 2 players compete in a series of levels to see who can collect all 5 gems scattered in the level and then reach the exit. Unlocked upon completion of Single Player Quest Mode.

Made-of-Glass – Players compete to reach the exit without taking any damage. Unlocked upon completion of Single Player Quest Mode.

ADDITIONAL UNLOCKS: the God Mode option for the “Life” setting in the options menu is unlocked upon completion of the Single Player quest mode. Using God Mode to complete levels will not earn the player any achievements or tokens. It is basically for players to run through the map to understand the obstacles they will encounter without having to worry about dying.

Crimson Blues. A unique puzzle platformer where your powers change depending on the color of your character and the color of the object you are interacting with. Players can phase through walls, attain enhanced speed and jump height, transform enemies into blocks, and even create an controlable doppleganger.

However, each ability comes with certain advantages and limitations. Players are encouraged to experiment with their various abilities to find their preferred every puzzle, though some are safer or faster than others.

Players can then return to past stages with new abilities to access previously unreachable areas. There is also an unlockable NEW GAME PLUS mode where the older levels have “evolved” to be even more difficult. In addition, there are 3 two-player modes to be unlocked for multiplayer splitscreen gameplay and achievement tracking for higher replayability

Well thats the marketing pitch anyway but here’s more detail without the wordcount limitation.

Basically in the World of Crimson Blues, everything is composed of 3 colors, Red, Blue and Neutral. Neutral is sorta standalone, boring terrain elements that allow limited interaction. Its with the red and blue elements in the world that you have the most fun with, hence the title.

Opposites generally repel each other, while like colors attract. This manifests itself in the various abilities the player gains over the course of the game:

Color-Shifting:
The player’s core ability, every other ability’s effectiveness hinges on this. By shifting into “Red” or “Blue” form, will interact differently with other objects in the world, depending on their relative color.

Picking up and throwing objects
Players will be able to pickup and throw colored blocks, using them as weapons or stacking platforms. Opposite colored blocks can be thrown further, but similar colored blocks can be thrown with more precision.

Movement.
Allows players to run faster and jump higher than normal as well as run up or jump against walls. Players can choose if they want to move at a faster, higher-risk fashion or move at a more cautious pace.

Attack
Allows players to stun enemies or turn them into blocks. Can also be used to change the color of objects and start chain explosions to destroy stage elements depending on their color.

Ghost Walk
Players will be able to phase through blocks that are the same color as they are, allowing them to go through walls, ceilings and floors.

Summon Armor Block.
The final ability; this allows a player to summon an opposite colored block from his armor. Player can swap locations with the block, useful for reaching otherwise unreachable areas.

Well that’s the basics of the abilities you learn and what you cando with them. I’ll follow up shortly on advanced techniques, how the game is structured, and also some videos of some playthroughs so you can see how the abilities can be used in different ways to tackle the different obstacles.