Gameplay Mechanics

Discover how Gravity Shift challenges conventional platforming

Core Mechanics

The fundamental gameplay elements that make Gravity Shift unique

The Nexus Gameplay

Gravity Manipulation

The core mechanic of Gravity Shift allows players to change which direction is "down" at any time. With the press of a button, you can walk on walls, ceilings, or even fall sideways.

Gravity can be shifted in four directions: down (default), up, left, and right. Each shift affects not only your character but also certain objects in the environment, creating unique puzzle scenarios.

Mastering the timing of gravity shifts is crucial for navigating complex environments and solving puzzles. Quick reflexes and spatial awareness are key to success.

Controls:

R1/RB Shift Gravity Up
L1/LB Shift Gravity Down
R2/RT Shift Gravity Right
L2/LT Shift Gravity Left
The Nexus Gameplay

Dimensional Travel

Gravity Wells allowing transit across the five shattered dimensions will be found as you advance through the game. Every dimension presents different problems, physics, and aesthetics.

Dimensional travel is a fundamental puzzle element not only regarding landscape changes. Some challenges call for you to use the features of one dimension to solve difficulties in another or move items across dimensional boundaries.

Standing close to Gravity Wells and tapping the interaction button activates them as whirling vortex. While some Wells have to be turned on through riddles or story development, others are permanent features.

Controls:

Triangle/Y Activate Gravity Well
The Nexus Gameplay

Time Dilation

Time Dilation lets you momentarily slow down time, allowing a secondary feature unlocked partway through the game more accuracy for complicated gravity adjustments and platforming sequences.

Time dilation causes the surroundings to slow to a crawl while you keep regular movement speed. This provides chances for complex movements not possible at normal speed.

Time Dilation recharges slowly over time from your Chrono Meter using energy. Overcoming the toughest parts of the game requires deliberate use of this limited resource.

Controls:

R3/RS Click Activate Time Dilation
The Nexus Gameplay

Phase Shifting

Unlocked in the later phases of the game, Phase Shifting is the last core mechanic and lets you momentarily pass through some objects and boundaries labeled with a unique shimmer.

Phase shifting adds still another dimension to puzzle solving and opens fresh routes across apparently solid challenges. Together with gravity control, it makes rather amazing solutions possible.

Phase Shifting uses energy from a dedicated meter recharging over time, much as Time Dilation. Given that the phase state lasts just a few seconds, timing is absolutely vital.

Controls:

L3/LS Click Activate Phase Shift

Puzzle Design Philosophy

How we create tasks testing your imagination and spatial sense?

Puzzle Design Process

Progressive Complexity

The challenges in Gravity Shift follow a well calibrated difficulty curve. New mechanics are presented separately so that players may grasp their fundamental purposes before integrating them with already-existing ones.

Early puzzles center on single gravity changes; later ones call for quick sequences of shifts, exact timing, and imaginative thinking across several dimensions.

Eureka Moments

Our puzzles are meant to produce "eureka moments," those epiphanies when an apparently unachievable difficulty suddenly makes sense. This usually entails seeing the surroundings both practically and metaphorically from another angle.

Many puzzles have several answers, thereby encouraging creative thinking and exploration. Usually requiring less gravity changes, the most elegant methods provide a natural motivation for optimization.

Environmental Storytelling

Puzzles are chances for storytelling rather than only challenges. Every challenge's design captures the history and character of its realm, therefore supporting the narrative of the game via gameplay.

As you advance, riddles get more entwined with the narrative, leading to climax scenes in which completing them directly determines the fate of the broken worlds.

Character Progression

How Nova evolves throughout her journey across dimensions

Character Progression System

Ability Upgrades

As you progress through the game, you'll unlock enhancements for Nova's core abilities:

  • Extended Shift: Increases the range at which gravity shifts affect environmental objects
  • Precision Control: Reduces the disorientation effect when changing gravity direction
  • Momentum Conservation: Maintains speed through consecutive gravity shifts
  • Temporal Extension: Increases the duration of Time Dilation
  • Phase Mastery: Extends Phase Shift duration and reduces energy consumption

Resonance Crystals

Collectible items found throughout all dimensions that can be combined in various patterns to create passive bonuses:

  • Energy Efficiency: Reduces ability energy consumption
  • Gravitational Dampening: Reduces fall damage
  • Dimensional Attunement: Increases resistance to anomaly effects
  • Temporal Harmony: Accelerates energy regeneration
  • Spatial Awareness: Reveals hidden paths and secrets on the map

Dimensional Fragments

Rare collectibles that unlock special abilities unique to each dimension:

  • Nexus Fragment: Creates a temporary gravity anchor at your location
  • Crystal Fragment: Briefly splits your gravity field in two directions simultaneously
  • Void Fragment: Creates a temporary zero-gravity bubble
  • Mechanical Fragment: Allows brief control over mechanical gravity devices
  • Organic Fragment: Creates living platforms that respond to gravity shifts

Accessibility Features

Making Gravity Shift enjoyable for players of all abilities

Adjustable Difficulty

  • Multiple difficulty levels that adjust puzzle complexity, timing windows, and environmental hazards
  • Story Mode alternative emphasizing exploration and narrative with simplified challenges.
  • Challenge Mode for gamers looking for a further skill challenge.
  • Individual options for hazard intensity, platforming difficulty, and puzzle difficulty.

Control Customization

  • Fully remappable controls on all platforms
  • Change abilities' toggle options instead of hold requirements.
  • Adjustable sensitivity and dead zones for analog inputs
  • Optional simpler control systems for lower dexterity needs
  • Support of assistive devices and adaptive controllers

Visual Accessibility

  • High contrast mode for improved visibility
  • Colorblind settings including several options for many types of color vision loss
  • Adjustable UI scaling and positioning
  • Option to reduce visual effects and screen shake
  • Explicit graphic markers for interactive components and gravity direction.

Audio Accessibility

  • Separate ambient sound, effects, dialogue, and music's volume controls.
  • Visual cues for important audio information
  • Full subtitle support with customizable text size and background opacity
  • Audio descriptions for cinematics
  • Mono audio option and left/right balance adjustment

Cognitive Accessibility

  • Comprehensive tutorial system with practice areas
  • Optional hint system that provides progressive clues
  • Ability to slow game speed globally without affecting achievement eligibility
  • Simplified language option for instructions and dialogue
  • Reminder system for controls and mechanics

Motion Sensitivity

  • Options to reduce camera movement during gravity shifts
  • Adjustable field of view settings
  • Reduced motion mode that minimizes disorienting visual effects
  • Static background option to provide consistent visual reference points
  • Gradual transition settings for dimension changes