Design Statement
Our theme interpretation follows a loop: stepping into the unknown, facing intense combat, and recovering to set out again. Small companions move and attack automatically, leaving the core decisions to the player—when to engage, where to send support, and whether to spend resources on companions or outposts.

Separate battle scenes focus attention on the encounter without pausing the world. Shifts in intensity are carried by impact and sound cues, rather than forcing players to press buttons on beat. Permanent companion loss creates fragility, while persistent outposts allow rebuilding after failure. This contrast between small lives and a persistent world is our core response to the music. This is not a rhythm game. The theme track inspired the mood and pacing, while our own music supports the journey.

Game Instructions (launch steps, controls, and gameplay overview)
World Tree is a single-player prototype about exploring the unknown, managing companions, and building outposts.

Gameplay highlights

Companions follow movement orders and attack automatically. You decide which squad to send, when to reinforce, and whether to spend resources on companions or outposts.
Encounters use a separate battle scene while other squads and camp jobs keep running. Reinforcements must travel to join the fight.
Companions can die permanently, but explored land and captured outposts remain, giving you a place to rebuild.
Judge quick start & controls

Goal: Create companions at the World Tree, capture outposts, and defeat the Corrupted Root.
First steps: Create a companion → select it → move to a discovered encounter → wait for the squad to arrive → click Start battle. After clearing enemies, move to the resource point or camp to claim it. Camps support recovery and facilities.
Mouse: Left-click to select a companion or squad, then click a destination or target to issue an order. Drag to pan; scroll to zoom. Press Home for the map overview.
Pause menu: Pause, change settings, or save and exit.
Installation & build info

Extract the Windows ZIP and run P5-Core-Playable.exe. Keep the accompanying folders and libraries intact.
Select New game, or Continue if you have a local save. English is the default; Simplified Chinese is available in Settings.
This is a Game Jam prototype. If something goes wrong or is unclear, please include the build version and what you clicked in your feedback.

Gameplay walkthrough video
https://youtu.be/4QArVQTzUqs

Trailer / Other Additional Video Material (Optional)
https://youtu.be/itqF1wvGc4E

Did your project use any AI tools or assets? If yes, please specify.
We used generative AI and LLM tools to assist during development:

Visual Assets: Initial generation for select character, enemy, environment, icon, and UI art.
Code & Writing: Implementation assistance, debugging, and text drafting.
Audio: AI-assisted production, with music and select sound effects synthesized via code.

All AI-generated materials were manually selected, edited, and integrated into the game by our team. Third-party fonts and software libraries are used under their respective open-source licenses. An AI-content notice is also included on the title screen.