Radiance is a third-person action-adventure game that centres on telekinesis puzzles and a time-looping mechanic. Players take control of Clarus, a human test subject who has been infused with experimental G-Light aboard the Erudition Research Platform. As a result of the tests conducted upon him, Clarus can only exist outside G-Light for a short period of time, after which he’ll respawn back where he started. At the start of Radiance, the Erudition comes under attack from forces of Darkness. Clarus – as a being infused with G-Light - is the only one who can fight off the Darkness and restore power to the emergency systems so that the escape pods can launch. Under the guidance of Julia – one of the scientists who made Clarus – Players will learn to use their Light Manipulator to solve telekinesis puzzles and fight off enemies.
Each time players respawn and venture out into the Erudition, they’ll do so with more knowledge about its layout, and can permanently open up new areas to explore by solving puzzles. Finding datapads will help them piece together some of Clarus’ mysterious origin, and find out more about the vessel they’re exploring. Finally, as players explore, they can collect G-Light canisters to extend the length of their current loop. Skilled players can take up the challenge of completing Radiance’s single level without running out of time even once. Radiance was developed by a team of fourteen people. It was made in Unreal Engine, with the bulk of code written in C++. Approximately 50% of the art assets featured in Radiance were created by the team.
Razor Games
The three games used as main inspiration are:
Control | Outer Wilds | Prey |
Telekinesis puzzles Breadcrumb narrative | Time looping mechanic Learn from life to life | Dark, mysterious sci-fi setting Enemies of darkness |
Unique Selling Points
Defeat the Dark with light-powered weapons and abilities
Use your gravity-manipulator to solve fiendish puzzles across multiple lives
Explore the Erudition and uncover its secrets
Core Gameplay Loops
60-Second Gameplay Slice
0-10 seconds:
The player steps out of the starting area and the timer starts counting down. They solve a simple puzzle to open the door to the Erudition’s larger hub area. Along the way, they collect a G-Light canister to extend their time by 10 seconds.
11-20 seconds:
Combat! Creatures of darkness spawn and dart towards the player. The player needs to use dodge to avoid enemy attacks and use primary fire to kill them.
21-40 seconds:
The player explores the hub area now that the enemies are dead. They collect several datapads, which they’ll get the opportunity to read later. They reach the hub’s second floor and find a door with an empty Module Slot beside it.
41-50 seconds:
Time has almost run out. They spot a spare Generator Module on the floor below. Using their telekinetic power, they pull it towards them and throw it into the slot to open the door to the laboratory. They run out of time and fade away before they can enter.
51-60 seconds:
They respawn back where they started. The timer doesn’t start until they leave the first room, so they take the time to review what they’ve learned. They plan their route to the newly-opened laboratory door, and read the datapads they’ve collected to learn more about who Clarus is and why the Erudition is under attack.
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