← Environment Design

Crystal Caverns

An underground cave environment featuring bioluminescent crystals and dynamic lighting for a fantasy RPG.

Unreal Engine 5 Blender Substance Painter
Crystal Caverns — image 1
Crystal Caverns — image 2
Crystal Caverns — image 3

Overview

Crystal Caverns is an underground environment designed for a fantasy RPG. The level features vast cavern spaces illuminated by bioluminescent crystals, underground rivers, and ancient ruins.

Process

The environment was blockout in Unreal Engine 5, with hero assets modeled in Blender and textured in Substance Painter. Special attention was paid to the lighting design to create a sense of wonder and discovery.

Challenges

Balancing performance with visual fidelity was key — the crystal materials use custom shaders that react to the player’s proximity, creating an interactive lighting experience without heavy performance costs.