Rainbow Boy

Rainbow Boy began as a deliberate departure from my previous 3D horror project — a whimsical parody of fantasy tropes where the "hero" is a round, rainbow-spewing creature traversing levels with environmental puzzles. As part of a university project I was tasked to start developing ideas, before starting production. This was a departure from my usual fast workflow I learned from games jams.

I made myself the challenge: I wanted to make a jump and run... without jumping! This led to the first ability: a rainbow, that the protagonist almost can't control and which recoil catapults the hero backwards.

Soon after followed the next ability of the hero: The rainbow charge should weigh something. This way the hero would be heavy and fast falling when charged up, but at the same time light and almost floating when without rainbow!

And lastly I wanted to implement multiple elements for the charge. These different elements could then interact with the environment differently. My first example was a water charge that could harden lava patches, to make them traversable.

At the end I made a few levels and implemented a some of the mechanics. We were encouraged to only start different phases at different times, so that we don't rush into development. I learned, that I am faster and better when starting prototyping early. That leads to faster iteration and the possibility to scrap bad ideas.

I tried some post-processing just before deadline, which I should have dialed down a bit. However, I am still satisfied with my prototype:

Development Challenges:

  1. Art Pivot: Initially designed in 1-bit pixel art, but swapped to a more colorful palette for more readability.
  2. Casual Depth: Simplified controls (left/right movement + one action button) while ensuring puzzles required strategic recoil timing and element combos.

What I learned:

  • Constraints Spark Creativity: Limiting abilities to one rainbow shot forced elegant puzzle design.
  • Prototyping Fast: Aseprite animations and Unity prototypes validated the core mechanic within days.