Inspiration
Similarly to Lily, plants have also been the main inspiration for the enemy designs, using them as reference for various forms and silhouettes. I’ve found that nature often has complex and aesthetically pleasing designs and as such I often take inspiration from plants and the like.
Shroomen
Shroomen (Fig. 1) are inspired by toadstool mushrooms (Fig. 2) with their capped heads which come off when attacking them. The shroomen start as small bumps growing off the cave walls until their weight is too much, detaches them and their life walking around the caves begins.
Shroomen shamble about left to right in caves and lunge short distances at players.
Figure 1. Shroomen
Figure 2. Fly agaric toadstool – (Turfonline, n.d.)
Seed Launcher
The seed launcher (Fig. 3) is inspired from the pomegranate (Fig. 4) as I pictured a large stationary bulbous plant that fires seed at the player when within range. The seed launcher collects various nutrients and metals in its seeds from the cave ground through its roots. When the plant detects a threat through the vibrations in the ground it shoots the heavy seeds at its enemy
Figure 3. Seed Launcher.
Figure 4. pomegranate fruit (Rahm, 2010)
Thistle ball
The thistle ball enemy (Fig. 5) is clearly inspired by the globe thistle (Fig. 6), it is a small spikey enemy that rolls around in its environment, anything that comes into contact with it will end up hurt. It concentrates minerals from the cave into its spikes, causing them to become as hard as steel. The thistle ball rolls left and right, bumping into the player if they don’t get out of the way.
Figure 5.Thistle Ball
Figure 6. Globe thistle – (Sciller, 2017)
Tornad
The Tornad (Fig. 7) is inspired from the Bird of Paradise (Fig. 8), a flower that resembles a bird’s beak and feathers. The Tornad’s sharp streamline body allows it to cut through the air with ease, achieving high speeds, charging their enemies with sharp leafs.
Figure 7. Tornad
Figure 8. Bird of paradise – (Grant, 2020)
Glowers
Inspired by Chinese lanterns (Fig. 9), the Glower (Fig. 10) has a tough material containing a glowing center that lights up the dark parts of the caves. This would be used as a static light source in the game depending on the area.
Figure 9. Chinese lantern (Clary, 2016)
Figure 10. Glower
Seedling
The seedling (Fig. 11) is a flying enemy that propels itself via the three propeller like leaves on its head. Much like maple seeds (Fig. 12) the Seedling spins around rapidly, often bumping into whatever may be in its way. The seedling would move diagonally bumping into surfaces, changing directions when it does.
Figure 11. Seedling
Figure 12. Maple Seed (Badgett, 2020)
References
Badgett B. (2020) Maple tree seeds to eat: how to harvest seeds from Maples. Available online: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/edible-maple-tree-seeds.htm [Accessed 08/12/2020].
Clary A. (2016) Caring for Chinese Lantern plants (Physalis alkengi). Available online: https://www.gardenzeus.com/caring-for-chinese-lantern-plants-physalis-alkekengi/ [Accessed 08/12/2020].
Grant B. L. (2020) What are the different types of Bird of Paradise plants. Available online: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/bop/bird-of-paradise-plant-types.htm [Accessed 08/12/2020].
Rahm D. H. (2010) Pomegranates. Available online: https://vitamedica.com/wellness-blog/pomegranates/ [Accessed 08/12/2020].
Sciller N. (2017) Small globe thistle for xeriscaping and cutting gardens. Available online: https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/small-globe-thistle/ [Accessed 08/12/2020].
Turfonline (n.d.) Are lawn mushrooms poisonous?. Available online: https://www.turfonline.co.uk/blog/are-lawn-mushrooms-poisonous/ [Accessed 08/12/2020].