Phylacria

Controls

WASD - Move
Q - Climb (for Metro Station 9 and Military Base)
E - Interact
Ctrl - Crouch

Game Description

Trapped in the quarantined city of Phylacria, an ordinary factory worker is forced to leave his basement when food and water run out. Venturing into the dangerous streets, he discovers a terrifying truth: exterminators patrol the city, burning anyone they deem infected, and a strange virus that can be seen only through tinted glass.

Along the way, he must solve puzzles, evade exterminators, and piece together the story of the quarantine. Collecting photographs and posters tied to his lost friends, he clings to their memories while pushing toward survival and freedom.

Levels

The game is still in development. So far, you can play the following levels:

• Market by Alex_T_T_
• Phylfactory 1 (old version) and Phylfactory 2 (current version, in development) by Alex_T_T_
• MetroStation 9 and 6  by Division
• Military Base (rough draft, a lot of functionality missing, will not appear in the final game) by Arrrnnika

To place enemies, their routes and objects in our levels, we used amazing tools by Arrrnnika

Project Description

This project was created for the course "Level Engineering" at the Technical University of Munich. The main focus was to become familiar with the level prototyping process.

Below are some of our key design pillars:

Mechanics

• We introduced new mechanics gradually, increasing their complexity over time to allow players to build and master them.
• To clearly distinguish between virus-infected areas and safe zones, we combined particle effects with local post-processing.
• To introduce the tinted glass mechanic, we designed the environment so players would naturally encounter and understand its effect.

Design

• We used a pixelated post-processing effect that reduces shading to create a mysterious, old-style look, enhancing the atmosphere.
• We focused on a feeling of confinement and hopelessness by designing narrow streets and tiny apartments in the early game.

Stealth

In stealth sections, we ensured players could easily tell if an exterminator was aware of them, even behind cover. Exterminators wear special magenta-tinted glasses to detect the virus, and their light serves as a player indicator.

Storytelling

• Small elements like collectible notes and photos help bring the city to life. Players also discover locations like markets and cafes, showing where people once lived.
• Narrow vs. Open Spaces: The game starts in cramped areas where workers live, creating a feeling of oppression. Later, it transitions to more open environments, highlighting the divide between lower and upper classes.

Here you can find our design document in PDF:
Design Document