Les + Liza
SPRING 2021 | GAME DESIGN
Les + Liza is a 2D point-and-click iSpy desktop adventure with a retro "rubber hose" look and a Freaky Friday-esque twist starring the trusty cherub Les and the mischievous devil Liza.
Software: Unity, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects
Les + Liza trailer
Ideation
Early on, I was very inspired by the stretchy, loopy style of animation used in old classics, such as Minnie the Moocher. I wanted to create characters that matched that sort of world—oddly cute and floppy, but with an impish flair.
Character Design
The two protagonists, Lester and Liza, are a matching pair. They needed to look similar to each other, but also look distinct. They're the same general shape, but both have unique features, such as halos or horns, that set their silhouettes apart.
Les, short for Lester, is one half of the main duo. Les might be a little uptight and by-the-book, but his cheerful attitude and excellent manners make him everyone's favorite guy.
Starring opposite to Les is mischievous, Mary Jane-wearing Liza. Unlike the strait-laced Les, Liza is fun-loving and rule-breaking. While she can be naughty at times, Liza will always be around to help a friend.
In addition to Les and Liza, there's a whole cast of characters populating the worlds of Heaven and Hell! From left to right, there's the two chefs, then the two janitors, and finally the two gardeners. Heaven and Hell both have their own color schemes and accessories.
Les and the other angels
Liza and the other devils
Gameplay
Les + Liza consists of different iSpy games that the player must complete in order to advance to the next level. There are three iSpy challenges in both Heaven and Hell, making six in total.
In each iSpy game, the player must find an item specific to the level's theme, for example: honey in the kitchen iSpy, or a ladybug in the garden iSpy.
Here's a quick clip of the start screen the player will see when they first open the game.
The player can choose between playing as Les or playing as Liza. After they finish the game as one character, they can then go back and play through as the other character—each play-through includes different iSpy games, bosses, and dialogue!
Inside of each iSpy game, the player has the ability to interact with the environment in order to find the item they're searching for. Each level is unique!