Physics Game (3D Puzzle Sandbox)

Solo Developer | Systems · Design · Programming · Physics Prototyping

This project is a physics-driven 3D sandbox game where players solve puzzles by experimenting with movement, objects, and force-based mechanics. I designed and built the entire game from scratch, focusing on tight control, systemic puzzle logic, and responsive physical interactions that feel satisfying and playful.

Core Concept

At its heart, the game is about momentum, weight, and creativity. Players are dropped into small levels filled with interactable objects and must figure out how to use physics to reach an objective — whether that means building a ramp, launching themselves, or triggering a chain reaction.

Highlights:

• Physics-Based Player Controller: Built a custom movement system using Unreal's physics engine — the character reacts to slopes, forces, and impacts in a dynamic and readable way.

• Puzzle & Level Systems: Designed a modular system to build puzzles around key verbs like push, pull, launch, swing, and collide. Every level teaches a new concept organically.

• Interactive Objects: Developed a library of physics objects (boxes, platforms, levers, launchers, weights) with custom behaviors and responses to player actions.

• Momentum & Collision Mechanics: Tuned interactions so even chaotic setups (e.g., rolling chains of crates or object stacking) still feel controlled and intentional.

• Sandbox Debug Tools: Implemented a developer UI that shows force vectors, object mass, and velocity during runtime for rapid iteration and testing.

• Visual Feedback: Added camera shake, force trails, audio cues, and slow-mo triggers to give weight and clarity to physical actions.

• Polished Feel: Spent time refining jump arcs, fall resistance, pushback weight, and bounce timing to ensure the experience feels fun and reactive.

Emergent Gameplay

The strength of this project lies in its flexibility. Because the puzzles are systemic, there’s usually more than one solution — encouraging players to play creatively and break the rules in a satisfying way. Whether you're stacking objects, swinging off ropes, or flinging crates into switches, the mechanics reward experimentation.

Summary

This was a pure game-feel and mechanics-driven project. I built every part of it to explore what makes physics games satisfying, from the weight of movement to the unexpected chaos of chain reactions. It’s responsive, creative, and built entirely around player expression through systems.