Clea 2 will be released on March 25th! As we approach launch day, this feels like a good time to reflect on the original Clea. For the first time, I will dive deep into each chapter and share my design thoughts, things I would change next time etc. If you have not completed Clea, I recommend reading these after a playthrough to avoid spoilers. Okay, let's dive deep into chapter three, the maze cleasunnies. In chapter one, players are facing a Chaos Servant for the first time. Meanwhile, collecting two pieces to form a key is relatively simple. The challenge is primarily in the threat. Let's say 80% threat, 20% puzzle. In chapter two, players have to deal with more difficult foes (multiple, plus Chaos Spiders). While doing so, they must maintain enough composure to remember which three paintings to press those buttons on (or just write them down cleasmug). The two have become more balanced. Let's call it 70% threat, 30% puzzle. As we hit chapter three, the balance has shifted. Chaos Clea, who stalks your every move, is fairly easy to keep at bay. However, while you do so, your mind can become distracted, and soon, you find yourself lost in the maze. The challenge, therefore, is primarily in the maze puzzle. 30% threat, 70% puzzle. This is all to maintain an unpredictable rhythm. Chaos Clea was designed to be relatively simple to evade. If she roamed the maze dynamically, players would have to expend too much brainpower on the threat, making it easy to become lost. Instead, with Chaos Clea stalking you, this is a chapter more about navigation while maintaining your composure. As a lucky coincidence, giving Chaos Clea a unique behavior also keeps things fresh.
Compared to chapters one and two, players must focus on the environment to maintain their bearings. First, they are tasked to reach the three colored doors in a safe environment, as Chaos Clea emerges later. Within this time, I hope players will recognize the threat of becoming lost. However, this is not the case, as I have seen quite a few players become far too lost for my comfort. They would reload from a save, then focus and triumph on their second attempts. Not the end of the world, but still. As I type this out, an idea just occurred to me. In future, I could simply include a lore book at the start, where a gardener complains about being lost yet again. That would give players enough of a hint.
Being a puzzle based chapter, the maze ramps up in difficulty as players progress. First, a key inside a colored door. Then, two colored doors, and players must remember their locations while hunting keys for both. The colored candles inform players which area they are in. If I were to remake Clea, I might add colored crystals on each door for further clarity.
If you enjoyed your time with Clea 1, please consider wishlisting the sequel: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1257860/Clea_2/ Your support will give Clea 2 a boost, and if you can tell your friends, that would also be super cool. Thank you for reading cleahappy!