Drexel University

A perspective-based puzzle game following a boy and a cat on a journey of self-exploration.

In Ikigai you play as Oliver, a boy who, after being unenthusiastically brought to the museum by his parents, finds himself trapped in a Ukiyo-e art piece and must fix their world in order to return to the real world. The game will feature a full environment and witch character that fit the Japanese Ukiyo-e art style. The player has a cat companion throughout the game, which they can take control of in order to solve certain puzzles. 

Our game challenges the player's spatial awareness and critical thinking. The main mechanic allows the player to manipulate the perspective from which they see the world. This allows for interesting challenges in terms of puzzle solving, requiring players to find new solutions when looking at things the right way. We took strong inspiration from optical illusions, both analog and digital.