Nebula Navigator

Introduction

Nebula Navigator is my first game development assignment, created to solidify my understanding of core game mechanics - movement and shooting with basic structuring in Unity. This is a game of cooperation between players in a 2D space platformer wherein two players must fly, dodge, and shoot their way through tight corridors filled with obstacles.

Gameplay and Features

Co-op gameplay: Two players work together to clear obstacles and progress.
Flight-based movement: Navigate tight spaces using WASD/Arrow keys.
Shooting mechanic: Destroy obstacles with precise projectile shots using Space/K key.
Power-ups:
- Speed Boost: Temporarily increases movement speed.
- Slow Boost: Temporarily slows movement for better control.
- Multi-Shot: Enables multiple projectiles for a short duration.
Physics-based interactions: Players bouncing off each other present a challenging scenario, especially in close areas.
• Game loop: Players progress through levels until both players are eliminated; this restarts the process.

Development Process, My Contributions & Lessons Learned

Physics & Movement: Implemented smooth rigidbody movement, velocity control, and player handling.
Game Flow & UI: Designed and implemented the pause menu, scene transitions, and level progression.
Power-Ups System: Developed temporary ability modifiers, such as speed boosts and multi-shot mechanics.
Collision & Shooting: Implemented a shooting system based on projectiles for breaking obstacles dynamically

While relatively simple, this game established my foundation in game development, teaching me how to structure mechanics, balance challenges, and optimize player experience on a basic level.

Code

View key scripts used in Nebula Navigator.

            
            using System.Collections;
            using System.Collections.Generic;
            using UnityEngine;
            using System;
            using UnityEngine.InputSystem;
            
            public class PlayerMovement : MonoBehaviour
            {
                public float speed;
                public Rigidbody2D rb;
                private float horizontal;
                private float vertical;
                Vector2 lastVelocity;
                public float speedUp;
            
                private void Start()
                {
                    rb = GetComponent();
                }
            
                void Update()
                {
                    rb.AddForce(new Vector2(horizontal * speed, vertical * speed) * Time.deltaTime * speedUp);
                }
            
                private void FixedUpdate()
                {
                    lastVelocity = rb.velocity;
                }
            
                public void Move(InputAction.CallbackContext callbackContext)
                {
                    horizontal = callbackContext.ReadValue().x;
                    vertical = callbackContext.ReadValue().y;
                }
            
                private void OnCollisionEnter2D(Collision2D collision)
                {
                    if (collision.gameObject.CompareTag("Player1") || collision.gameObject.CompareTag("Player2"))
                    {
                        var speed = lastVelocity.magnitude;
                        var direction = Vector2.Reflect(lastVelocity.normalized, collision.contacts[0].normal);
                        rb.velocity = direction * Mathf.Max(speed, 2f);
                    }
                }
            }

            
            using System.Collections;
            using System.Collections.Generic;
            using UnityEngine;
            using UnityEngine.InputSystem;
            
            public class Shooting : MonoBehaviour
            {
                public Transform shootingPoint;
                public GameObject bulletPrefab;
                public float bulletCD = 0.5f;
                public bool shooting;
                public float timeAfterShooting = 0;
            
                private void Start()
                {
                    shooting = false;
                }
            
                private void Update()
                {
                    timeAfterShooting -= Time.deltaTime;
                }
            
                public void Shoot(InputAction.CallbackContext shoot)
                {
                    if (shoot.performed && timeAfterShooting <= 0.0f)
                    {
                        timeAfterShooting = bulletCD;
                        Instantiate(bulletPrefab, shootingPoint.position, transform.rotation);
                    }
                }
            }

            
            using System.Collections;
            using System.Collections.Generic;
            using UnityEngine;
            using UnityEngine.SceneManagement;
            
            public class GameRestarter : MonoBehaviour
            {
                public GameObject Player1;
                public GameObject Player2;
                public string Respawn;
            
                private bool player1Dead = false;
                private bool player2Dead = false;
            
                void Update()
                {
                    CheckPlayerStates();
                }
            
                void CheckPlayerStates()
                {
                    if (Player1 == null || !Player1.activeSelf)
                    {
                        player1Dead = true;
                    }
                    if (Player2 == null || !Player2.activeSelf)
                    {
                        player2Dead = true;
                    }
            
                    if (player1Dead && player2Dead)
                    {
                        Debug.Log("Both players have died. Restarting scene.");
                        SceneManager.LoadScene(Respawn);
                    }
                }
            }

            
            using System.Collections;
            using System.Collections.Generic;
            using UnityEngine;
            
            public class PauseGame : MonoBehaviour
            {
                public GameObject pauseMenuUI;
                private static bool gameIsPaused = false;
            
                private void Start()
                {
                    pauseMenuUI.SetActive(false);
                }
            
                void Update()
                {
                    if (Input.GetKeyDown(KeyCode.Escape))
                    {
                        if (gameIsPaused) Resume();   
                        else Pause();
                    }
                }
            
                public void Resume()
                {
                    gameIsPaused = false;
                    Time.timeScale = 1f;
                    pauseMenuUI.SetActive(false);
                }
            
                void Pause()
                {
                    gameIsPaused = true;
                    Time.timeScale = 0f;
                    pauseMenuUI.SetActive(true);
                }
            }

            
            using System.Collections;
            using System.Collections.Generic;
            using UnityEngine;
            using UnityEngine.InputSystem;
            
            public class FasterBoost : MonoBehaviour
            {
                public float boostedSpeed;
                public float standardSpeed;
                private PlayerMovement playerMovement;
                public GameObject player;
                private bool boosting;
                public float boostTimer;
                public float boostAmmount;
            
                private void Awake()
                {
                    playerMovement = player.GetComponent();
                }
            
                void Start()
                {
                    boosting = false;
                }
            
                void Update()
                {
                    if (boosting)
                    {
                        boostTimer += Time.deltaTime;
                        if (boostTimer > boostAmmount)
                        {
                            playerMovement.speed = standardSpeed;
                            boosting = false;
                            boostTimer = 0;
                        }
                    }
                }
            
                private void OnTriggerEnter2D(Collider2D collision)
                {
                    if (collision.CompareTag("Faster"))
                    {
                        playerMovement.speed = boostedSpeed;
                        boosting = true;
                    }
                }
            }

Nebula Navigator