Khaluk

Genre : Platformer, Puzzle

View : 2D

Engine : Unity | Photoshop

Platform : Windows

Team : Mayuri, Nithin, Srushti

“Khaluk- Light that melts” is a horror-themed puzzle game. The player takes on the role of a hero who was transformed into a candle by a Thakuran. The goal is to light every sacred diya, and once it does, a mandala (magic circle) is lit, through which the candle enters the next level. The player must dodge the chudalis (ghosts) that will try to put out the candle’s flame while lighting the diyas.

Gameplay trailer

Mechanics

Candle Mechanics

Can move left/right, jump, give and take light

Give light – power to give light to other diyas(reduces wax)

Backstab ghost with Give light power(ghost is looking away)

Pour oil if its in inventory

Light the ropes in the environment

Take light -Take away light from a diya(increases candle light intensity)

Take oil from lamp

Candle has a wax and intensity meter(Health and cone of vision)

Chudali Mechanics

She holds a hand-fan and attacks the candle’s flame

She can be killed by backstabbing which turn into gooey layer of blood(can be used for faster traversal)

AI Path is used for following the candle – Ghosts have specified patrol area

Level Mechanics

Wax – Everytime player dies, it leaves dead wax for its future self.(Health plus)

Oil Urns – Giant metallic oil containers refill oil which is used to light diya. Oil is needed to relight the burnt out diyas.

Ropes – Burning ropes open up shortcuts for easy traversal

Diyas – Two types of diyas(sacred and normal one). No difference in appearance. When sacred diya is lit, a part of mandala is also lit. When diya is lit, a timer starts, stays lit till the oil runs out. Last lit sacred diya act as a checkpoint.

Gameplay

The challenge of the game is manage the resources(wax and oil) and keep the light the sacred lamps without the other goes off. The dasi ghosts make it difficult to happen as there is no offense for the player other than back stab and has to wait for dasi ghosts to turn away. Managing time and resources and at the same time solving the puzzles and avoiding enemies make this game challenging.