Sunset Chaser


WHAT

Sunset Chaser is a 2D top-down adventure game where you venture through post-apocalyptic America, encountering wacky friends and foes. Drive, upgrade your makeshift car, and fight enemies on the road as you make your way West!

WHY

Created as an NYU Game Design Class of 2025 Capstone project. I was a contributing artist and the sole UI/UX designer.

HOW

After 6 months of development, we were able to fully complete the Texas level with all key gameplay features (driving, combat, narrative, and customization).

Game built in Unity 2D.
UI/UX assets designed in Illustrator.
Promotional poster designed with InDesign and Photoshop.

TASKS

UI/UX Art
Game Design
Tech Art

TOOLS

Illustrator
Photoshop
InDesign
Unity (C#)

TYPE

School Project

TIME

Fall 2024 - Spring 2025
Design
Knowing the map would serve as the main menu, my design process started with getting the map right.

PROCESS

As a team, we decided we wanted the game to have a paper cut-out feel, which would be emphasized through parallaxing. Individually, I talked to the game designers and compiled map references to pinpoit key functionality. 

After establishing the vibe and purpose, I iterated on the map’s design to strike a balance between the two.

PLAYTESTING

Each iteration of the map was playtested. Examples of features that changed based on user feedback include:
  • Keyboard buttons for the top menu
  • Button state designs
  • Font and font size
  • Overall color palette and texturing


RESULT

Used the map as a north star for all other UI elements after final design was approved. Key design features include textured lines, primary colors, and graphic shapes.

Button Assets

Illustrator Setup

Map V1

V2

V3


Final Map
Narrative

PROBLEM

Wanted to incorporate narrative and NPC interaction in a way that didn’t feel detached from the gameplay.

HYPOTHESIS

Dialogue pop-ups could incorporate narrative in an easy-to-read, interactive, and natural manner.

PROPOSAL

Dialogue pop-ups would have 3 purposes:
  1. Reaction to a player action
  2. Tutorial of new features
  3. Introduction of new lore

Pop-ups would be only a few words at a time, making it easier to implement and less likely for players to skip through. 

Having pop-ups react, help, or entertain the player reflects more closely to an actual group road trip, fostering the relationship between the player and NPCs.

MOCK-UPS

1. Reaction
2. Tutorial

3. Lore

SCREENS


Original Dialogue Screen

Final In-Game Pop-Ups
Final Screens

START


Mockup

In-Game

MAP


Mockup

In-Game

GARAGE


Mockup

In-Game

DRIVING


Mockup

In-Game

LEVEL END


Won Mockup

Lost Mockup

In-Game
Poster
Designed with InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Printed for the NYU Spring 2025 Game Showcase.

Final Poster



My team and I @ the NYU Spring 2025 Game Showcase
Gameplay Video