The Tower

The Tower

The Tower

Virtual Escape Room

Virtual Escape Room

Virtual Escape Room

UI Design

UI Design

Unreal Engine 5

Unreal Engine 5

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator

VR

VR

Blender

Blender

Game Design & Development

Game Design & Development

3D Modeling

3D Modeling

UI Design

Unreal Engine 5

Adobe Illustrator

VR

Blender

Game Design & Development

3D Modeling

The Tower is a VR escape room experience set in a medieval tower, designed as part of my thesis project. Players solve puzzles, memorize sequences, and unlock hidden treasures, exploring an immersive world built in Unreal Engine 5 with interactive mechanics and thoughtful environmental design.

Inkyway Galaxy: Takoyu Rescue! is a casual, cooperative, top-down shoot 'em-up inspired by classic arcade games in 2D, hand-drawn graphics. Up to 4 players must work together to defeat waves of enemies but individually compete for the highest score. The game follows four space-octopi as they fight their way through the evil scientist Dr. Moray’s ship to free their missing sibling.

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 1

Find the keys to escape...

Find the keys to escape...

Find the keys to escape...

Blank Canvas.

Blank Canvas.

Blank Canvas.

The idea behind The Tower is to combine the excitement of an escape room with environmental storytelling. I wanted to create a world that feels both whimsical and mysterious, where the setting itself becomes part of the puzzle. The contrast between the lively festival outside and the quiet, puzzling space inside makes the player feel both connected to and distanced from the world beyond the tower.

Puzzles.

Puzzles.

Puzzles.

This puzzle features a chest with three keyholes that must be unlocked using colored keys placed in a specific sequence. The correct order is learned by observing the fireworks outside the tower window, creating a connection between environmental storytelling and player interaction. The mechanic reinforces memory, pattern recognition, and hands-on VR interaction while giving clear visual and audio feedback as each key is inserted.

Interaction.

Interaction.

Interaction.

This puzzle features a chest with three keyholes that must be unlocked using colored keys placed in a specific sequence. The correct order is learned by observing the fireworks outside the tower window, creating a connection between environmental storytelling and player interaction. The mechanic reinforces memory, pattern recognition, and hands-on VR interaction while giving clear visual and audio feedback as each key is inserted.

Studio Visit

What did you learn from your questions? What did you learn from presenting? Where is your focus? Did it change?

Feedback Session: Testing First

Prototype

I presented an early version of my VR project, where I demonstrated core mechanics like rotating objects with the controller and experimenting with projectile effects. This session gave me valuable feedback on both the technical controls and the direction of the experience.

What I Learned from Presenting

My presentation focused too heavily on technical details. I didn’t show enough of the planned puzzles and storyline, which made it harder for people to give feedback on the bigger picture. Next time, I planned on balancing technical systems with narrative elements.

What I Learned From Players

Players stressed the need for a clear narrative that fits the environment. Their feedback helped me realize I should first solidify the VR controls, then build the storyline around them so the gameplay feels both functional and immersive.

Next Steps

Develop a clear storyline roadmap, mapping puzzles and player actions in line with the project’s timeline and scope. Making the gameplay more engaging while keeping the project realistic to finish.

User Map

START

Spawn at the top of the tower

Spawn at the top of the tower

Clue Gathering

Clue Gathering

Explore room

Explore room

Puzzle Interaction

Puzzle Interaction

Find the red wood chest with 3 gold key holes & 3 coloured keys

Find the red wood chest with 3 gold key holes & 3 coloured keys

Clue Gathering

Clue Gathering

Look out the indow to see the fireworks in colour order

Look out the indow to see the fireworks in colour order

Puzzle Interaction

Puzzle Interaction

Place the keys in the right colour sequence

Place the keys in the right colour sequence

Chest Unlocking

Chest Unlocking

Retreive the final key from the chest

Retreive the final key from the chest

EXIT

Use the key to unlock the hatch leading to the next room

Use the key to unlock the hatch leading to the next room

Artist Statement

The Tower is a virtual escape room designed to spark curiosity and discovery within a whimsical yet mysterious world. Players awaken in an old tower perched on a remote island during a time of vibrant festivities. Through its weathered, expansive windows, they see the glow of fireworks and faint echoes of celebration from the distant village below. This cheerful setting contrasts with the enigma inside: a locked box, waiting to be opened. The experience revolves around solving a clue linked to the festivities. Subtle environmental cues guide the player toward the solution, encouraging exploration and interaction. Clues such as a worn festival poster, a faded journal, or cryptic markings on the window invite the player to piece together the puzzle. These hints are pieced together by short motion graphics, which enhance the sense of immersion and create an engaging, interactive playground. The Tower, once a sturdy watchtower, has been transformed for the festival, blending its old history with new life. Its worn walls and festive touches tell a story, inviting players to discover the mystery of why they are there. The design feels like stepping into a storybook, where simple details create a world full of wonder and intrigue. At its core, The Tower is about the joy of discovery. It plays with curiosity, motion, and context, drawing players into an imaginative escape room that celebrates exploration, wonder, and unraveling mysteries.

Artist Statement

The Tower is a virtual escape room designed to spark curiosity and discovery within a whimsical yet mysterious world. Players awaken in an old tower perched on a remote island during a time of vibrant festivities. Through its weathered, expansive windows, they see the glow of fireworks and faint echoes of celebration from the distant village below. This cheerful setting contrasts with the enigma inside: a locked box, waiting to be opened. The experience revolves around solving a clue linked to the festivities. Subtle environmental cues guide the player toward the solution, encouraging exploration and interaction. Clues such as a worn festival poster, a faded journal, or cryptic markings on the window invite the player to piece together the puzzle. These hints are pieced together by short motion graphics, which enhance the sense of immersion and create an engaging, interactive playground. The Tower, once a sturdy watchtower, has been transformed for the festival, blending its old history with new life. Its worn walls and festive touches tell a story, inviting players to discover the mystery of why they are there. The design feels like stepping into a storybook, where simple details create a world full of wonder and intrigue. At its core, The Tower is about the joy of discovery. It plays with curiosity, motion, and context, drawing players into an imaginative escape room that celebrates exploration, wonder, and unraveling mysteries.

Artist Statement

The Tower is a virtual escape room designed to spark curiosity and discovery within a whimsical yet mysterious world. Players awaken in an old tower perched on a remote island during a time of vibrant festivities. Through its weathered, expansive windows, they see the glow of fireworks and faint echoes of celebration from the distant village below. This cheerful setting contrasts with the enigma inside: a locked box, waiting to be opened. The experience revolves around solving a clue linked to the festivities. Subtle environmental cues guide the player toward the solution, encouraging exploration and interaction. Clues such as a worn festival poster, a faded journal, or cryptic markings on the window invite the player to piece together the puzzle. These hints are pieced together by short motion graphics, which enhance the sense of immersion and create an engaging, interactive playground. The Tower, once a sturdy watchtower, has been transformed for the festival, blending its old history with new life. Its worn walls and festive touches tell a story, inviting players to discover the mystery of why they are there. The design feels like stepping into a storybook, where simple details create a world full of wonder and intrigue. At its core, The Tower is about the joy of discovery. It plays with curiosity, motion, and context, drawing players into an imaginative escape room that celebrates exploration, wonder, and unraveling mysteries.

Social

Social

Social