Hi, I'm Pol Rovira

Introduction

My goal was to faithfully recreate the charm and rhythm of the original insult fights. The game had to feel reactive, funny, and sharp — like a dance of words. I wanted the player to feel clever, not just win.

Dialogue System

I designed a custom branching dialogue system that allows each insult and response to carry consequences, creating layered insult chains that escalate dynamically. The structure was built using C# scriptable objects and a simple state manager.

The logic structure behind the insult-response dialogue system.

User Interface & Feedback

The UI was kept clean and retro-styled to reflect the original’s aesthetic. I added subtle animations and sound cues to reinforce the rhythm of exchange. Each insult and comeback has synced visual feedback to enhance punchlines.

Custom UI mockup showing dialogue options and timing feedback.

Timing & Delivery System

Timing matters in comedy. I built a delay-and-pause system to control delivery pacing — allowing jokes to land properly. Pauses between lines are dynamically calculated based on the player’s reading speed and choice timing.

Prototype showing dynamic timing between insults and comebacks.

What I Learned

This project helped me understand how humor is not just written — it’s engineered. Timing, UI pacing, player agency and visual feedback all matter in delivering something that feels funny and interactive. It also deepened my skills with state machines, dialogue trees, and Unity UI tooling.

Introduction

My goal was to reproduce the gameplay feel and structure of Super Mario Bros’ first level as closely as possible. I focused on physics, collision, jumping timing, and enemy behavior to recreate the challenge and joy of platforming.

Physics & Player Control

One of the biggest challenges was matching the exact jump arc and momentum of Mario. I used Unity’s physics engine but heavily customized it to recreate the “snappy yet floaty” feel. Movement is frame-perfect, and acceleration varies depending on ground, air, and sprinting states.

Custom movement controller replicating classic Mario physics.

Level Design

Even though there are subtle alterations, I recreated the first level tile-by-tile based on references and gameplay videos. Every block, pipe, and gap is positioned to reflect the original game’s learning curve and rhythm. Invisible blocks, enemy placement, and power-ups were meticulously adjusted.

Tilemap-based level structure faithfully reproducing the NES level.

User Interface & Retro Style

The UI was built to resemble the original HUD: score, coin counter, and time limit. Fonts and visuals were pixel-perfect recreations.

UI elements styled to match the original NES interface.

What I Learned

Rebuilding a classic game taught me a lot about design intent and technical precision. I improved my skills in custom character controllers, tile-based systems, pixel art alignment, and replicating retro mechanics in a modern engine. It also deepened my appreciation for timeless game design.

Introduction

The idea behind Mecha Tactics was to create a tactical experience that’s both accessible and deep. I aimed to capture the strategic essence of Worms while introducing modern features like advanced destructibility, unique mech abilities, and a clean UI that enables fast-paced, decision-heavy gameplay.

Physics & Player Control

One of the biggest challenges was implementing realistic 2D physics for movement, projectile impacts, and terrain destruction. Each mech has custom weight and friction values, affecting how they move and react to explosions. I also implemented an “aim assist” system to help players when firing weapons.

Custom aiming system to help players hit the target.

Level Design

In this project, I enhanced my knowledge and implementation of tilesets by making them directly interactive for players. I developed a collision detection system that allows bullets to destroy tiles within the impact area.

Dynamic tileset system with real-time terrain destruction triggered by bullet collisions.

User Interface & Retro Style

The interface displays key information like health, available abilities, and turn order in a clean and stylized layout. I designed a futuristic-industrial look with vibrant highlights to ensure important elements stand out without overwhelming the screen.

Custom HUD inspired by classic anime mecha interfaces with modern polish.

What I Learned

This project helped me master 2D physics integration within turn-based systems, procedural generation, and modular ability design. I also deepened my understanding of user feedback through visual and audio cues to enhance tactical engagement.

Introduction

SOMA began as a storytelling experiment around the idea of identity. What makes us who we are? As Nova explores a dystopian future, the player makes impactful decisions that lead to different outcomes and personal revelations.

Nova begins her journey in the shadows of Neon Vanta.

Combat System

Combat in SOMA is fast-paced and action-filled. Nova uses projectile-based attacks while evading aggressive AI enemies. Boss fights such as Cors and Astra feature unique phases and require adaptive strategies.

Facing Astra, Nova's sister and the mastermind behind Project SOMA.

Interactive Dialogue

A key feature of SOMA is its branching dialogue system. Players engage in meaningful conversations, choose how Nova responds, and influence her relationships and moral alignment. Dialogue scenes include decisions, visual fades, and internal monologues.

Interactive dialogue with branching choices and typing effects.

Cutscenes & Story Flow

The game includes cinematic transitions, fades, and scripted scenes that control pacing. These scenes enhance storytelling and immerse the player without losing gameplay rhythm.

A cutscene fades into a sequence revealing Cors's motivations.

Visual & Audio Design

Visuals are based on pixel art assets with cyberpunk aesthetics, including fog particle effects, animated water using URP, and reflective surfaces. Sounds and music are managed by a custom SFXManager and include ambient tracks, enemy effects, and typing sounds.

Green sewer water reflects Nova’s silhouette in real time.

What I Learned

SOMA helped me grow in modular Unity development, interactive storytelling, and designing impactful player choices. It was a comprehensive challenge in animation, scripting, audio management, and scene transitions. Most importantly, it taught me to design for both emotion and mechanics.