How to create a 3D roguelike game using Unity

Creating a 3D roguelike game can be a challenging task, but with the right tools and knowledge, it can also be incredibly rewarding. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating a 3D roguelike game using Unity, a popular game engine that supports both 2D and 3D game development.

Before we begin, let’s first define what we mean by “roguelike.” Roguelike is a type of video game that is characterized by its procedurally generated levels, permadeath (where the player character dies permanently), and a strong emphasis on exploration and risk-taking. This style of gameplay has gained popularity in recent years, thanks in part to games like Spelunky and Hollow Knight.

Now that we have a basic understanding of what a roguelike is, let’s dive into the process of creating one using Unity.

Setting Up Your Project

The first step in creating any game is setting up your project in the game engine. In this case, we will be using Unity version 2019.3 or later. Here’s how to get started:

1. Download and install Unity from the official website (https://unity3d.com/).
2. Once installed, open Unity and create a new project by selecting “File” > “New” > “Project.”
3. In the “New Project” window, select “3D Project” as the template, and then choose “Unity Hub” as the location where you want to store your project files.
4. Click “Create Project,” and Unity will create a new folder for your project in the specified location.

Now that you have your project set up, let’s start building our roguelike game.

Designing Your Game World

The next step is to design your game world. This includes creating assets (such as characters, items, and environments) and setting up the basic layout of your levels. Here are some tips for designing a roguelike game world:

1. Keep your levels procedurally generated. This will make each playthrough unique, and it will save you time by not having to create multiple levels manually. There are many plugins available in the Unity Asset Store that can help with this.
2. Make sure your characters have a variety of weapons and abilities to choose from. This will give players more options for how they want to approach each level, and it will make gameplay more interesting.



3. Create a strong emphasis on exploration and risk-taking. In a roguelike game, players should feel like they are constantly discovering new things and making difficult choices. This can be achieved through the use of traps, hidden treasures, and branching paths.
4. Use tile-based layouts to make your levels more modular and easier to build. Tile-based layouts allow you to quickly create and edit individual tiles, which can then be combined to create larger environments.

Now that you have your game world set up, let’s move on to creating assets for your roguelike game.

Creating Assets

The next step is to create the assets that will populate your game world. This includes creating characters, items, and environments. Here are some tips for creating assets in a roguelike game:

1. Use Unity’s built-in tools to create 3D models of your characters and items. You can also import 3D models from other software packages like Blender or Maya.
2. Make sure your characters have a variety of animations, such as walking, running, attacking, and dying animations. This will make them feel more alive and add to the overall gameplay experience.
3. Create different types of environments for each level, such as forests, caves, and dungeons. Each environment should have its own unique set of assets and challenges.
4. Use textures and materials to give your assets a more detailed look. This can include things like dirt maps, stone textures, and metal finishes.

Now that you have your game world and assets set up, it’s time to start writing code for your roguelike game.

Writing Code

Now that you have your game world and assets set up, it’s time to start writing code. This includes setting up the basic mechanics of your game, such as movement, combat, and item interaction. Here are some tips for writing code in a roguelike game:

1. Use Unity’s scripting language, C#, to create your game logic.