Whispers Below

Whispers Below is a 2D side-scrolling dungeon crawler and my first 2D game built in Unreal Engine. Designed as an atmospheric action-RPG, the project focuses on tight combat, environmental storytelling, and fear-driven world design rather than complex systems or branching narratives.

Players control Ellie, a timid village girl who descends into a living dungeon beneath an abandoned chapel after her closest friend mysteriously disappears. Each layer of the dungeon manifests a different fear, shaping enemies, environments, and boss encounters.

The project was built to explore 2D combat, level design, and mood-driven storytelling inside Unreal, with a structure inspired by Hollow Knight–style progression.

Readable 2D Combat
Simple but responsive combat built around light/heavy attacks, dodge timing, and enemy pattern learning.

Fear-Themed Dungeon Progression
Each floor represents a psychological fear, influencing visuals, enemy behavior, and boss design.

Atmosphere Over Complexity
Horror is communicated through lighting, sound design, and pacing—not jump scares or complex mechanic

1. 2D side-scrolling movement and combat
2. Light & heavy attack combos with dodge roll and invulnerability frames
3. Stamina-based combat pacing
4. Floor-based dungeon progression
5. Boss encounters themed around fear (disease, swarms, failure, isolation)
6. NPCs offering cryptic dialogue and upgrades
7. Soul Shard currency for health, stamina, and damage upgrades
8. Shortcut unlocks for smoother backtracking

The world of Whispers Below is oppressive, quiet, and unsettling. The dungeon beneath the chapel is not just a location—it behaves like a living entity, reshaping itself around Ellie’s fears.

The intended player experience mirrors Hollow Knight–style exploration:

• Lonely traversal through hostile spaces

• Gradual mastery of combat and movement

• Storytelling delivered through environment, bosses, and NPC dialogue

• A constant sense of vulnerability rather than empowerment

Ellie is not a warrior by nature. Her journey is about pushing forward despite fear, not overcoming it completely.