Tristin Shakesby

Tua’s Calling is a 3D action-adventure RPG created as part of our Bachelor of Design Capstone Project by myself, Tristin Shakesby, and Hakopa Ririnui. Players take on the role of a young tuatara named Tua. Awakened by a sacred butterfly, Tua is summoned by the village elder, who urges him to complete his training in preparation for an emerging evil. As the player, you must train, explore beyond the village, and uncover the source of the spreading corruption to protect your home.

My project explored how environmental storytelling and a character-driven narrative guide players through Tua’s world. Inspired by the expressive art style of the Sypro Reignited Trilogy and the RPG structure of The Legend of Zelda, in collaboration, I developed a playable vertical slice.
My brief challenged me to design an interactive experience that combined fun gameplay systems with in-depth research. I focused on level design, environment art, and core gameplay. Developing modular environmental assets, lighting, and interactive systems within Unity.
I aimed to capture Aotearoa’s cultural identity and landscapes, employing visual cues and spatial composition to support the narrative, evoke emotion, and eliminate player confusion.