Game Mockup - 1 (WIP1)

Here it is guys, my first game-mock up WIP! I had a bit of creative paralysis at the start due to the sheer number of ideas swimming through my head. But for this first game It felt appropriate to start with an industry staple and make a platformer. Also, I intend to approach all these mock-ups as plausible game designs that would be reasonable for a solo dev or small team to make. 

Introducing Xenaqua, a metroidvania that takes place on an aquatic alien planet. What makes this game unique is the emphasis on underwater gameplay. While it's not illustrated here, most of the environments are underwater. The game starts on a remote research station on the ocean surface, but soon takes you into flooded sub aquatic chambers and mysterious caverns beyond the facility. You play as a scientist who was apparently conducting highly sensitive research before all hell broke loose. Rather than flee or call for help when monsters start popping up, she is dead set on terminating them. Some kind of woman. Why is she determined to handle the problem herself? Are there any other survivors? What kind of research were they doing here? 

Well, that's the basic scenario at the moment. In addition to polishing up this scene, I want to at least make one more scene to illustrate an underwater environment. If things go well I will further flesh out the concept with more content, like a title screen or more sprite work. Speaking of, here are some character concepts from my process. 

I wanted a bikini clad babe at first, but I couldn't find a skin tone that would be consistently readable in the environments I have in mind. Also, they're too plain to be the main character and feel more like NPCs. The red suit is where I'm at now. It offers great contrast and captures the spicy attitude I want the character to project. Also, it's complimentary to the green blood you will be spilling from the monsters.

Next week I'll go more in depth on the visual design and gameplay ideas.