La Jungla de Optica: Gameplay

Simulated World GamePlay
La Yungla de Optica gameplay is a mix of simulated world, role-playing, and puzzle game dynamics. Players solve a combination of open-ended and closed-ended challenges using a rich set of resources and tools, including lenses, lights, cameras, rope, optics books, and pieces to a telescope.

Embedded Puzzles
While in the "Sien de la Luz", the Temple of Light, the gameplay becomes more structured, reminiscent of a puzzle-adventure game such as Myst. Through completing these puzzles, players gain lenses, tools, and camera equipment as well as skills like focusing, camera steadiness, or climbing ability.

Role-Playing
As players choose between various tools and skills, they develop a unique, differentiated character. Some players may develop strength or climbing skills and become action photographers, while others may develop hand-steadiness and concentration, enabling them to see over great distances. This design is intended to reach a broad range of player tastes and create thoughtful reflection on what kinds of equipment players collect.

Example Scenario: Building a Spyglass
Midway through the game, the player spots the bandits' hideout, possibly due to the smoke rising above the trees. The bandits are crowded around a tent, discussing plans and rifling through papers. The player might attempt to get a closer look, using the lens from her camera or a set of binoculars. Perhaps the player attempts to take a snapshot of the camp to gather information about the bandits' plot. If the player gets too close, a guard will pursue, ending the game.

To get a closer look, the player will need to use a lens. Melanie suggests hiking to the observatory on the hill, crawling through a cave that leads closer to the opposite side of the camp, or climbing a nearby tree. The player chooses to walk the winding path to the observatory. At the top of the observatory are the remains of an old telescope. There is a fixed, stationary viewfinder where the player can insert a lens. The player must estimate the distance and calculate the proper focal length for the lens. If the player does not have the proper lens, she must consider another vantage point, or return to the temple to obtain another lens.

In this case, the player does not have the correct lens, so she returns to the Temple of Light. Here, she completes a puzzle where she must position a lens so that it creates an inverted (upside-down) image of a cross on the wall across the room. Using her optics textbook, she calculates the point where the lens must be placed. As the player carefully places the lens on the ground, the light shines against the wall, and a boulder moves, revealing three lenses. The player clicks on Melanie, communicating to her that she should pick up the lenses. Melanie shouts back that there seems to be a spring mechanism, so that they can only get one lens. This forces the player to consider what size lens is needed. The player clicks on Melanie again, revealing a list of dialogue options. Included in the choices are directions to pick up each one of the lenses. The player picks the third lens, which is 1.2 inches in diameter.

The player returns to the look-out and tries out this lens. It works, producing a clear image of the bandits' camp. The player spies on the bandits, discover a box of supplies that are in the open and could be easily commandeered. The player lets Melanie look through the spyglass. She looks over at the player. Shall we?