Drawing the player forward
A well-designed story-driven map should drive the player linearly. This does not mean that the map must be a literal straight map; rather, it moves the player forward and does not have them getting confused as to where to go next. In this recipe, we will use a method that will help us achieve a proper forward map flow. The method that we will examine has a slightly out-of-reach ledge that the player must get up to advance in the level. This technique is simple, but simplicity is key if you want to avoid confusing players, especially at the starting level.
How to do it…
We will start by creating a ledge at the starting area, then create tall, vaulted walls around the perimeter. Next, we will create a path of planks extending from the ledge to the wall and then down the wall. We will then create a short ladder, and then stack crates at the bottom to create steps. We will finish this recipe by adding light fixtures and a path from the spawn to the...