Gameplay Mechanics

Gameplay Mechanics 27/06/2012 00:36 

NOTE!! All titles  contained within double inverted commas “ “ are 

working titles that are subject to change.  

All titles  contained within single inverted ‘  ’ commas refer the to 

the buttons found on an Xbox 360 controller. 

NOTE!! (“Rift Mode” is initiated by holding down the RT button 

which when held down allows the player to perform enhanced 

attacks and special maneuvers when they press the right buttons 

or sequence of buttons in rhythm with the beat of the music.  

Initiating “Rift Mode” is essential to performing enhanced attacks 

and maneuvers that can not be performed if the player presses 

the right buttons in rhythm while not in “Rift Mode”-(Holding the 

‘RT’ button) 

“Rift Energy Meter” (Fix for potential game breaking use of “Rift 

Attacks”, “Rift Blocks” “Boost Jumps”, and “Boost Dashes”) To be 

applied to gameplay to restrict use of said abilities. 

• The “Rift Energy Meter” is a meter split into four segments of which 

each segment allows Caruso to perform 1 “Rift Attack” or “Rift 

Block” or 1 “Boost Jump” or “Boost Dash”. For example when all 

four segments of the “Rift Meter” are full Caruso can perform up to 4 

“Boost Jumps” or “Boost Dashes” or up to 4 “Rift Attacks” or 

“Rift Blocks” or any number of “Rift Attacks” “Rift Blocks”, 

“Boost Jumps” and “ Boost Dashes” adding up to 4 in total.  

• (for Example) 1 “Rift Energy Meter” segment = One “Boost 

Jump” or “Boost Dash” or “Rift Attack” or “Rift Block”. 

• When each segment of the “Rift Energy Meter” is used it will 

gradually refill at a rate of 1/16th of a segment per beat of the music. 

(subject to testing) 

• “Rift Attacks” “Boost Jumps” and “Boost Dashes” cannot be 

performed if none of the four segments on the “Rift Energy Meter” 

are full. 

• Each full segment of the “Rift Energy Meter” that is active for use 

will flash or shimmer in time with the beat of the music.  

• The “Rift Energy Meter” will Fill only one empty segment at a 

time. For example, if the “Rift Energy Meter” is empty it will start to 

fill the first segment until it has been filled before filling up the second 

segment, and will only begin to fill the third segment when the second 

segment is full and so on. 

• The “Rift Energy Meter” will have a translucent meter that will fill 

from the very left (beginning) of each empty segment that is in the 

process being filled to the very right (end). This happens in the space 

of 1 beat of the music’s BPM. Each time the translucent meter 

reaches the (end) of the segment that is being filled. 1/16th of the 

meter will fill with a coloured opaque bar until the segment is full. 

(1/6th is an estimate subject to testing and possible change). 

• Running, Jumping, “Boost Jumping” and “ Boost Dashing”  

• Pushing the ‘left stick’ slightly in any direction will make Caruso 

walk in that direction. 

• Pushing the ‘left stick’ fully in any direction will make Caruso run in 

that direction. 

• Running or walking off a ledge without holding down ‘RT’ will make 

Caruso drop and hang off the ledge of a platform. 

• While running towards the edge off a ledge, holding the ‘RT’ button 

will initiate “Rift Mode”. While running forward with “Rift Mode” 

enabled tapping the ‘LB’ button on a beat will initiate a “Dash” that 

will make Caruso Jump forward automatically when he reaches the 

edge of the of the ledge.  

• Pressing ‘A’ while outside of “Rift Mode” (Not holding down ‘RT’) 

will make Caruso perform a “ Basic Jump”. 

• Pressing the ‘A’ button on a beat while holding RT will initiate a 

“Boost Jump” that will allow Caruso to jump further than when 

performing a “Basic Jump”. “Boost Jumping” while in the middle of 

a jump will allow the player to increase the length that Caruso can 

jump.  

• Most Platforms in the game world are quite a distance from each other 

requiring the player to successfully use the (Boost Jump) mechanic to 

traverse the game world. 

• To initiate a “Boost Jump” the player must either “Dash” of a 

platforms edge by tapping ‘LB’ (within a “Beat Window”) while 

holding down ‘RT’ making Caruso automatically jump of the platform, 

or manually jump by pressing the ‘A’ button in a “Beat Window” 

while in “Rift Mode” (enter “Rift Mode” by holding down the ‘RT’ 

button). While in the middle of the jump the player will need to press 

the ‘A’ button within a another (beat window) to initiate another 

“Boost Jump”, further increasing Caruso’s jump thus allowing him to 

jump further to cross large gaps. 

• Beat Window- refers to the brief period of time the player has to 

initiate an action as a rhythmic beat plays in time with the tempo of 

the music for it to be recognized as in rhythm thus adding to the 

players rhythm combo meter. 

(Boost Jump) and (Boost Dashing) Combos  

• Performing “Boost Jumps” is only possible when the player taps the 

‘A’ button on a beat while in “Rift Mode”. By Tapping the ‘A’ button 

on beat in the middle of a jump, the player can potentially string 

together an endless combo of boost jumps allowing Caruso to traverse 

huge expanses to reach otherwise impossible to reach areas.  

• Tapping ‘LB’ while in the middle of a jump will have Caruso Perform a 

“Boost Dash” that will make him travel in a horizontal line through 

the air, allowing him to travel through various narrow gaps and various 

other Boost jump oriented puzzles as well perform air based evasive 

maneuvers. 

“Dashing” and “Boost Dashing” (Into Obstacles) 

• Some environmental obstacles can be destroyed by “Dashing” and or 

“Boost Dashing” into them. 

• “Dash” into specific environmental obstacles by running towards them 

and tap ‘LB’ in a beat window while holding down ‘RT’. This will allow 

Caruso to “Dash” through the through the obstacle. 

• Have Caruso perform a “Boost Dash” into an obstacle by first 

performing a jump and then tap ‘LB’ in a “Beat Window” while 

holding down ‘RT’  and moving the left stick fully in the direction of the 

obstacle. 

• “Dashing” (Into an Enemy) 

• It is possible to “Dash” into an enemy by running towards them and 

tapping ‘LB’ in a beat window while holding down ‘RT’. This will allow 

Caruso to “Dash” through the enemy, knocking them down and or 

stunning them in the process. (Note! Some enemies will be 

immune to being stunned and or knocked down by “Dashing” 

into them until certain conditions have been met).  

•  Attacking and Defending 

• (Basic Attacks) can be performed by tapping either the ‘X’ button ‘Y’ 

button or ‘B’ button. 

‘X’ button initiates a melee attack (Caruso’s sword keytar) 

‘Y’ button initiates a ranged projectile attack (Caruso’s Pistol) 

‘B’ button initiates a powerful special attack (Magical Attack)  

NOTE!!  ‘B’ button special attacks are only available to be 

performed when at least “Rift Combo Level 1” is active. 

• All attacks both “Light” and “Charged” that are performed outside of 

“Rift Mode” inflict a minimal amount of Damage and are therefore 

Classed as “Basic Attacks”. 

Attacking using the face buttons without holding down RT will have 

Caruso perform “Basic” attacks that inflict damage equal to the “Basic 

attack” stats of whatever “Rift Combo level” Caruso is currently on. 

(for example if Caruso is on Rift Combo Level 2 his “Basic attacks” 

will inflict damage on enemies equal to his “Rift Combo Level 2” 

“Basic Attack” stats, and if on Rift Combo level 3 his “Basic 

Attacks” will be equal to his Rift Combo level 3 “basic attack” 

stats.) 

‘X’ button attacks are attacks performed with Caruso’s keytar. The X 

button can be tapped to perform (light) quick strikes or held down 

and released to perform (heavy) charged attacks. 

‘Y’ button attacks are attacks preformed with Caruso’s Pistol. The ‘Y’ 

button can be tapped to perform (light) quick projectile attacks or 

held down and released to perform (heavy) charged projectile 

attacks. 

‘B’ button performs a powerful “Special Attack” that only becomes 

active when at least Rift Combo Level 1 has been activated.  

• When “Rift Combo Level 1” is active and the “Special Attack” 

Meter is filled past level 1, tapping the ‘B’ button will initiate a “level 1 

Special Attack”. 

(Attacking in “Rift Mode”) 

• To enter “Rift Mode” hold the ‘RT’ button.  

• Attacking within a “Beat Window” while in “Rift Mode” will initiate a 

“Rift Attack”. 

• “Rift Attacks” increase the damage inflicted on enemies and increase 

the “Rift Meter” allowing the player gain “Rift Combo Levels” by 

chaining together “Rift Attacks”. 

• While in “Rift Mode”, attacking in rhythm within a “Beat Window” 

to the beat of the music will fill up the “Rhythm Combo Meter” by a 

quarter of a “Rift Combo Level” for “Light Attacks” and by Half of 

a “Rift Combo Level” for heavy “Charged Attacks”. Each “Rift 

Combo Level” that is activated from one to five will incrementally 

increase the power of Caruso’s “Basic” and “Rift” attacks. “Rift 

Combo Level Zero” Limiting Caruso to inflict the lowest value of 

damage for both his “Basic” and “Rift” Attacks, and “Rift Combo 

Level Five” Allowing Caruso to inflict the maximum value of damage 

for both his “Basic” and “Rift” Attacks. 

• Attacking outside of a “Beat Window” while in “Rift Mode” will 

initiate a “Basic Attack” that will decrease Caruso’s “Rift Combo 

Meter” by a Quarter of a “Rift Combo Level” for “Light Attacks” 

and by Half of a “Rift Combo Level” for heavy “Charged Attacks”. 

• Attacking outside of a “Beat Window” while in “Rift Mode” will inflict 

the same damage on an enemy as attacking outside of “Rift Mode”. 

Therefore it is classed as a “Basic Attack”.  

(Locking Onto Enemies) 

“Reticule” 

NOTE!! (The “Reticule” is a crosshair like icon in the center of 

the screen that assists with aiming and allows the player to 

lock onto enemies when pointing it at them.) 

• (With “Hard Lock” turned Off) The “Reticule” will “soft Lock” onto 

the enemy or targetable object it is pointed at, to assist the player in 

aiming and targeting. Use the ‘Right Stick’ to point the “Reticule” at 

another enemy to “Soft Lock” onto it. 

• To manually “ Hard Lock” onto an enemy tap ‘RB’ when the 

“Reticule” is “Soft locked” onto them. 

• Tap ‘RB’ again to turn the “ Hard Lock” Off. 

• (When “Hard Lock” is turned On) Hold The ‘RB’ button and use the 

‘Right Stick’ to cycle the “Reticule” through any other enemies and 

targetable objects in range. Release ‘RB’ to “Hard Lock” onto them. 

• (When “Hard Lock” is turned On) Flicking the ‘Left Stick’ forwards, 

backwards, left or right will make Caruso perform a “Strafe Jump” 

in that direction. 

Strafing (Strafe Jump and Strafe Boost) 

“Strafe Jump” 

• A “strafe Jump” is a small evasive jump Caruso performs only 

when “Hard Locked” onto an enemy or targetable object. 

• A “Strafe Jump” can also be used to quickly close the gap on an 

enemy as well as various other uses in combat. 

“Strafe Boost” 

• When “Hard Locked” onto an enemy or targetable object and holding 

‘RT’, flicking the ‘left stick’ forwards, backwards, left or right 

within a “Beat Window” will initiate a “strafe Boost” Making Caruso 

perform an evasive move similar to a “Strafe Jump” that makes him 

invulnerable to damage for the duration of the “Strafe Boost”. 

• “Strafe Boosting” will also raise the “Rift Combo Meter” by a 16th 

of a “Rift Combo level” for every successfully performed “Strafe 

Boost”. Flicking the ‘Left Stick’ while “Hard Locked” onto an enemy 

or targetable object outside a “Beat Window” while holding down the 

‘RT’ button, is classed as “Strafe Jumping”. “Strafe Jumping” 

while holding down the ‘RT’ button will decrease the “Rift Combo 

Meter” by an 8th of a “Rift Combo Level”. 

• Special Attacks (Activation and Various Types)  

• “Special Attacks” only become available to be performed once at 

least “Rift Combo Level 1” has been activated.  

• To fill the “Rift Combo Meter”  and activate “Rift Combo levels 1- 

4”, the ‘X’, ‘Y’, ‘LB’ and ‘LT’ buttons must be pressed in rhythm with 

the music while ‘RT’ is being held down. The ‘Left Stick’ can also 

raise the “Rift Combo Meter” when flicked in any direction in a 

“Beat Window” to perform a “Strafe Boost” when “Hard locked” 

onto an enemy or targetable object while holding down ‘RT’.  

• “Special Attacks” are performed by tapping or holding the ‘B’ 

button. 

• The longer that the ‘B’ button is held down determines the higher the 

level of special attack that will be performed. 

• For example, Tapping the ‘B’ button (Outside of “Rift Mode”) will 

make Caruso perform a “Level 1 Special Basic attack”. That will 

inflict damage equal to his “Rift Combo Level 1” “Special Basic 

Attack” statistics.  

• (If “Rift Combo Level 2” is active) holding the ‘B’ button (Outside 

of “Rift Mode”) until the special meter activates a “Level 2 Special 

Attack”, will make Caruso perform a “Level 2 Special Basic Attack” 

that will inflict damage equal to his “Rift Combo Level 2” “Special 

Basic Attack Stats”. The longer the B button is pressed will 

determine the Higher the level of special attack that will be performed 

considering that relevant “Rift Combo Level” is active. 

• NOTE!! (If only “Rift Combo Level 1” is Active Caruso will only 

be able to perform a “Level 1 Special Basic Attack” regardless 

of how long the ‘B’ Button is Held down. This is reflected all the 

way up to “Special Attack” level 4).  

• Tapping the ‘B’ button in a “Beat Window” while holding down ‘RT’ 

(to activate “Rift Mode”) will make Caruso perform a “Level 1 

Special Rift Attack” that will inflict damage equal to his “Rift Combo 

Level 1” “Special Rift Attack” stats 

• (While Holding down ‘RT’) Pressing and Holding the ‘B’ button in a 

“Beat Window” and releasing it in the next “Beat Window” (1 Bar) 

will make Caruso perform a “Level 2 Special Rift Attack” that will 

inflict damage equal to his “Rift Combo level 2” “Special Rift 

Attack Stats”. 

• When Caruso is on “Rift Combo Level 1” the Level 1 segment on 

the “Special Meter” will become active, allowing Caruso to perform 

either one “Basic” or one “Rift” “Special Attack”. 

• When Caruso is on “Rift Combo Level 2” both the Level 1 and 

Level 2 segments on the “Special Meter” will become active, 

allowing Caruso to perform two Level 1 “Basic” and “Rift” “Special 

Attacks”, or one Level 2 “Basic” or “Rift” “Special Attack”. 

• The more “Special Meter” segments that are active, the more lower 

level “Special Attacks” Caruso will be able to perform. (For example) if 

Caruso is on “Rift Combo Level 4” he will be able to perform four 

Level 1 “Special Attacks” or one Level 2 “Special Attack” and two 

Level 1 “Special Attacks” or one Level 3 “Special Attack” and one 

Level 1 “Special Attack” 

• When Caruso is on “Rift Combo Level 1” The “Special Attack 

Meter” fill up past Level 1 but only Level 1 on the “Special Attack 

Meter” will be active meaning that only a Level 1 “Special Attack” 

will be able to be performed even if the “Special Attack” Meter is 

Filled up to the top of Level 4. NOTE!! The inactive “Level 

Segments” of the “Special Attack” meter will appear 

translucent. Active Segments will appear Opaque. 

• The “Special Attack Meter” will gradually fill up the more attacks 

and specific moves are performed. 

• The special Meter will gradually drain from any inactive “Level 

segments” at a rate of an 8th of a “Level Segment” per beat. For 

example if the “Level 1 Segment” of the “Special Attack Meter” is 

active (because Caruso is on “Rift Combo Level 1”), but the 

“Special Attack Meter” has been filled to the middle of the “level 3 

Segment” the “Special Attack Meter” will drain until it reaches the 

top of the “Level 0 Segment”/bottom of the “Level 1 Segment”. 

If “Rift Combo Level 2” is activated before the “Special Attack 

Meter” reaches the bottom of the “Level 2 Segment”, whatever 

portion of the “Level 2 segment” will remain filled in until used, 

filled further or “Rift Combo Level 2” becomes inactive. 

• If only the “Level 1 Segment” of the “Special Attack Meter” is 

active but the “Special attack Meter” is filled up to Level 3. When 

Caruso performs a “Level 1 Special Attack”, the remaining 

“Special Attack Meter” filled past the “Level 1 Segment” will 

replenish the “Level 1 Segment ” allowing Caruso to perform 

another “Level 1 Special Attack” (so long as the remaining meter 

replenishes the “Special Attack Meter” up to at least the 

beginning the “Level 1 Segment”). Any remaining “Special Attack 

Meter” past the “Level 1 Segment” will gradually drain until it 

reaches the bottom of the “Level 1 Segment”. 

• (If no “Rift Combo Levels” are active.) The “Special Attack 

Meter” will gradually drain until it is empty. 

• “Special Attacks” with different properties can be obtained 

throughout the course of the game and can be assigned to the 

‘Directional Pad’ for quick selection when in combat. 

• Pressing the ‘Back’ button and selecting “Special Attacks” can also 

let the player select and organize the “Special Attacks” available 

for quick selection on the ‘Directional Pad’. 

     

• Blocking (“Basic Block” and “Rift Block”) 

• Holding down ‘LT’ will make Caruso perform a “Basic Block”, 

Blocking any in coming attacks. 

• While holding down the ‘LT’ button; Caruso’s “Shield Meter” will 

drain, allowing Caruso to block in coming attacks until the “Shield 

Meter” has been completely depleted. When Caruso’s “shield” has 

been completely depleted he will no longer be able to block 

incoming attacks until his “Shield” has recharged at least one 

segment of it’s meter. (To recharge the shield the player will 

need to release the ‘LT’ button.) 

• NOTE!! When the “Shield Meter” is completely Depleted, it will 

take a few moments to begin recharging after ‘LT’ has been 

released. If ‘LT’ is released before the “Shield Meter” is 

completely depleted the “Shield Meter” will begin to recharge 

instantly.  

“Rift Blocking” 

NOTE!! (A “Rift Block” is a counter move performed by tapping 

‘LT’ while holding down ’RT’ within the “Beat window” that an 

enemy attacks.) 

• If an enemy attacks when the player is holding down ‘RT’ to activate 

“Rift Mode”, it will project it’s attack to allow the player to “Counter” 

the attack by the tapping the “Block” button ‘LT’ within the “Beat 

Window” of the enemies attack. 

• Successfully performing a “Rift Block” stuns the enemy for a brief 

period leaving them vulnerable to further attacks.  

Rift Blocking also damages enemies. The higher “Rift Combo Level” 

Caruso is on, the more damage a “Rift Block” will inflict on an 

enemy. 

• Continuing to hold ‘LT’ after successfully performing a “Rift Block” 

will initiate a “Basic Block” and drain the “Shield Meter” 

accordingly. 

• Blocking outside of a beat window while holding ‘RT’ will perform a 

“Basic Block” providing the same amount of protection as blocking 

while not in “Rift Mode” but without the bonuses of inflicting damage 

onto, or stunning the enemy.  

• NOTE!! The Higher “Rift Combo Level” Caruso is on the Longer 

he will be able to perform a “Basic Block” before his “Shield” 

completely depletes and the less time it will take to fully 

recharge.  

• Enemy Attack Patterns (in and out of “Rift Mode”) 

• All enemies will attack in beat with the music, and when “Rift Mode” 

is active the player will be able to see the enemy project an attack 

before they initiate it, allowing the player to “Rift Block” while 

maintaining their rhythm combo when in “Rift Mode”. 

• Enemy attacks will differ in frequency depending on the enemy type. 

Some enemies will attack at a high frequency but deal light damage 

whereby other enemies will attack at a low frequency but deal heavy 

damage. There will also be several variations in between. The 

Various enemies Caruso will encounter will have different attack 

frequencies and strengths specific to their (Enemy Type) 

• When “Rift Mode” is not active the player will not be able to see the 

enemy project their attacks, making it more difficult to Counter Block 

or evade enemy attacks.  

• Health. (Regeneration and Healing) 

NOTE!! (Caruso’s health will be displayed by a “Health Meter” 

that will be split into 4 segments that will run from 0 to 4, 

much like the “Rift Combo Meter” and “Special Attack Meter”) 

• Caruso’s “Health” will gradually regenerate when he incurs 

damage. Initially At a rate of 1/8th of a “Segment” of the “Health 

Meter” per “Beat” of the music. 

• Various “Vitality Boost Modifiers” as well as “Modifiers” with other 

properties can be obtained throughout the course of the game, that 

can then be assigned to the “Modifier Slot” on “Attack”, 

“Defense” and “Special Attack” in the “Character Status” screen.  

NOTE!!(Only one “Modifier” can be added to one “Modifier Slot” 

at a time)  

• “Vitality Boost Modifiers” can have various effects range from 

boosting the gradual speed at which Caruso’s “Health” will 

regenerate. To actively raising Caruso’s “Health” every time a 

“Basic Attack” and or a “Rift Attack” or another specific maneuver 

is successfully performed. 

• Still to be Discussed and included. 

Upgrade System (Leveling Up), Specific Enemy Attacks (Damage 

on Caruso), Caruso’s Various Attacks (Damage effects on each 

specific enemy), Various “Special Attack” Types and Various 

“Modifier” types.