A shadow toys with you, trapping you in an endless cycle. Break the spell, face the beast, and escape.

My Role & Contributions

Programming: Character movement, combat, collision, enemy AI (bandits + boss FSM).
Game Design: Level flow, looping environment mechanic, controls, and progression.
Pixel Art & Animation: Player character animations (idle, walk, jump, roll/dash, attack).
Boss Design: Concept, AI, and custom animations for the Tikbalang fight.

(Note: bandit sprites were downloaded and credited; all boss/player animations are my work.)

Game Overview

SAI begins with the player awakening in a mysterious landscape. Unlike most platformers, the world loops endlessly, reinforcing the myth of being lost. Dialogue hints guide the player until they discover the truth: they are trapped in the trickery of a Tikbalang, a mischievous creature from Philippine mythology.

Controls:
- A = Move Left
- D = Move Right
- Space = Jump
- LShift = Roll / Dash
- Z or \ = Attack

Enemies & Boss Encounter

Bandits

Patrol, pursuit, and attack.
Serve as introductory enemies to teach combat basics.

Tikbalang (Boss)

The centerpiece of the demo, receiving the most animation and AI work.

AI: Built using a finite state machine, with transitions for idle, pursuit, attack, and special moves.
Attacks:
- Whip Strike – medium-range attack.
- Dash Attack – closes gaps aggressively.
- Body Flicker – disappears in a cloud, reappearing above the player.
- Dagger Slam – hovers, brandishes dagger, then crashes down dramatically.

Art & Animation Showcase

Player – idle, run, jump, roll, attack.

Tikbalang – whip strike, dash attack, body flicker/dagger slam.

Environment – parallax background.

Tools & Tech

Engine: Unity
Language: C#
Art: Aseprite

Purpose

This project was created as a portfolio piece to demonstrate my:

Skill in programming complex AI with finite state machines.
Ability to create custom pixel art animations for both player and boss.
Interest in integrating Philippine mythology into engaging gameplay.

Background

In Philippine folklore, a Tikbalang is a trickster creature that leads travelers astray, making them walk in circles. The looping design of SAI’s levels mirrors this myth. Only after completing a hidden loop does the Tikbalang reveal itself before the final battle.