The idea of creating a travel-centered action platformer stems from a lifelong passion for exploring cultures and mythologies. As a child, I was fascinated by the world’s diversity—I had countless books on traditional clothing, architecture, and folklore from various regions. My curiosity deepened when I got my first Nintendo console in elementary school and became captivated by Pokémon. That’s when my interest in monsters and mythological creatures really took root.

In fact, my final university thesis focused on “Mythological Creatures of Indonesia and Their Impact on Art, Culture, and Religion.” That project further solidified my fascination with how myths shape societies. Combining this with my love for Mega Man—a classic 2D action-platformer—I envisioned a game that let players adventure across the globe while encountering mythological creatures from different cultures.

Balancing Vision and Realism

Originally, I planned stages in Bali, Japan, a West African country, Brazil, and Belarus. However, as a solo developer creating my first game, I had to balance my ambitions with practical limitations. Learning new coding techniques, working within my own budget, and ensuring the quality met my expectations made it clear that creating every asset from scratch was unrealistic.

I decided to focus on Bali—designing all assets myself since nothing fitting was available in existing marketplaces. For other locations, I scouted the Unreal Engine Marketplace, carefully curating free and purchased assets. I modified textures and topology in Blender to match the game’s aesthetic, ensuring the stages still felt cohesive and unique.

While I’m proud of the locations I’ve included, I still dream of exploring the cultures and mythologies of the regions I couldn’t include this time. Hopefully, future projects will give me the opportunity to bring those ideas to life!

A Blend of Passion and Possibility

Ultimately, PORADORA vs. Monsters of the World is a blend of my personal interests, creative imagination, and the practical realities of game development. It’s a love letter to the rich cultural tapestry of the world and the joy of uncovering its myths through an interactive and action-packed experience.