Cardinal Conquest: Hoover Horror
Synopsis: Cardinal Conquest – Hoover Horror is a 2D, 8-bit puzzle adventure game where players control a Stanford student navigating the campus and solving puzzles at iconic locations. The student must complete challenges at various locations, culminating in a final battle at Hoover Tower. Along the way, the student will encounter unique puzzles, sneak into a party, and even have a chance to restore health at the 5Sure convenience store.
Wilbur: The game begins at Wilbur Hall, serving as the starting point and introduction to the game. The student sets off on their adventure across the Stanford campus.
Green Library: To enter Green Library, the student must pass a bag check. Once inside, they will explore the library and gather clues for upcoming challenges.
5Sure (First Visit): The student visits 5Sure for the first time, with a random chance to restore their health. This adds an element of luck and strategy to the game.
Sigma Nu: The student must solve a puzzle to sneak into a party at the Sigma Nu fraternity. Inside, they will gather more information and possibly meet interesting characters.
Mendicants: At Mendicants, the student encounters a unique challenge involving a floor piano. They must play the correct melody by walking around the piano keys.
5Sure (Second Visit): The student has another chance to restore their health at 5Sure. This second visit provides a break between the Mendicants challenge and the final level.
Hoover Tower (Final Level): The game culminates in a battle at Hoover Tower against Persis Drell and MTL (parodies of real-life individuals to avoid legal issues). The student must use all the skills and knowledge gained throughout their adventure to emerge victorious. This final showdown tests the player’s puzzle-solving abilities and serves as the climax of the game’s narrative.
Tone: Cardinal Conquest – Hoover Horror maintains a lighthearted and humorous tone throughout the game. The 8-bit art style and parody elements contribute to the game’s whimsical atmosphere, while still presenting engaging puzzles and challenges. The game aims to capture the nostalgia and charm of classic adventure games while incorporating the unique aspects of Stanford life.
Gameplay: The gameplay in Cardinal Conquest – Hoover Horror focuses on exploration, puzzle-solving, and interactive elements at each iconic Stanford location. Players will navigate the 2D environment, interact with objects and characters, and use their wits to overcome obstacles.
At Green Library, players may need to sneak past the bag check by timing their movements or finding alternative routes. The game could include a visibility meter, indicating how well-hidden the player is. Actions like running or knocking over objects would increase the player’s visibility while moving slowly and staying in shadows would keep them concealed.
During the Sigma Nu party, players might need to blend in with the crowd to avoid drawing attention. A “suspicion meter” could track how much the other partygoers suspect the player of being an outsider. Engaging in activities like dancing or conversing with other characters would lower suspicion while acting out of place or being caught in restricted areas would raise it.
The Mendicants floor piano challenge could incorporate rhythm game elements, requiring players to step on the correct keys in time with the music. Misstepping or failing to keep the rhythm would lower the player’s performance meter, while perfect execution would grant bonuses or unlock secrets.
Throughout the game, players will need to manage their health and stamina. Stamina could be a resource that depletes with strenuous actions like running or pushing heavy objects, encouraging players to plan their movements carefully. Visiting 5Sure would offer a chance to restore health, but with an element of randomness to keep players on their toes.
The final battle at Hoover Tower could incorporate elements from earlier challenges, testing the player’s mastery of the game’s mechanics. Persis Drell and MTL might have unique attack patterns or vulnerabilities that players must exploit while managing their own health and stamina. Success in the battle could depend on quick reflexes, pattern recognition, and effective use of the environment.
These gameplay elements would provide a varied and engaging experience, challenging players to think creatively, react quickly, and make strategic decisions as they progress through the game.
Appendix:
Noah’s personal submission:
https://mechanicsofmagic.com/2024/05/06/cp-1-individual-noah-wong/
Brendan’s personal submission:
https://mechanicsofmagic.com/2024/05/06/asgn-2-moodboard-and-ideation/
Luke’s personal submission
https://mechanicsofmagic.com/2024/05/06/cp-1-individual-luke/
Abhi’s personal submission
https://mechanicsofmagic.com/2024/05/07/abhi-desai-p2-checkpoint-1-individual-contribution/
