Making a 3D Platformer Introduction

I love all games but I tend to lean towards RPGs, strategy games, Action-Adventure and platform fighters. However, another type of genre that I find to be fundamentally linked to the idea of gaming is the 3D platformer. Games like Super Mario 64 and Bajoo Kazooie pioneered the idea of entertaining and well-designed 3D games.

Presently, my favourite 3D platformer is Mario Odessey, it is the classic formula yet refined such that it is efficient, fast and fun while still providing an incredible amount of content.

What Mario Odessey really gets right is the most crucial element for 3D platformers, the movement. Plus, the options provided by Cappy, Mario’s possessed cap, of diving onto him and allowing for another jump opens up the world so much, combined with Mario’s wide array of movement options and the further possibilities that are presented by possessing creatures, creates an amazingly exciting playground.

Another type of 3D platformer I enjoy, and that are fast-paced yet explorative games such as Sonic. I am aware that many people are of the opinion that 3D Sonic was never good but having grown up with 3D Sonic, and experienced great games like Sonic Colours and Sonic Generations, I appreciate the 3D aspect of the series (I have yet to play Forces or Sonic 06, which probably accounts for my perception).

My idea is to build a game inspired by 3D Sonic, with features that include a breathtaking sense of speed, and numerous discoveries via linear levels with branching paths. I plan to boost the game experience by adding several variations:  

• Depending on the branch take in a level, a different path is unlocked in the story narrative.
• Characters with varying play styles and abilities would unlock different paths.
• Shooting for the quickest time and high scores results in lucrative rewards.

I am confident that I have a solid game concept, but the task ahead is marginally trickier, how do I realise my game idea? I consider it’s best to start from the basics, and decided to use the Unity Engine, my rationale being that I have coding experience in C++ and I believe I can easily manage the change to C# which is used in Unity. Therefore, to this end I have been engaging and learning from free online tutorials, and I am excited to post updates of my progress on my blog.