Unreal Engine 5 creating an ARPG Game from Scratch

In this lesson, we will download the top-down template, create a new map, and set up the game mode for our project. You'll learn about the basics of Unreal Engine 5 and how to customize your top-down game.

This lesson covers the creation of a functional main menu using Unreal Engine’s widget system. You’ll learn how to structure your menus and add essential game navigation.

Learn how to add the main menu to the viewport and integrate quit functionality. We'll cover the basics of Blueprint execution and how to manage UI elements efficiently.

This lesson explains how to set up the loading screen mechanics and spawn the maze generator. You'll also learn about Blueprint classes and exposed variables while managing the main menu.

Create a custom loading screen with a progress bar. This lesson focuses on designing and coding the function that controls the progress bar to reflect loading status.

In this lesson, we’ll code the loading widget into the game mode and link it with the maze generator. Learn how to display the loading bar while the dungeon generates.

This lesson focuses on creating the math behind the loading bar and explains the initial steps of the custom backtrack algorithm used to generate tiles and build your maze.

Begin coding the first tile of the maze, complete with rules for spawning the next tile. Learn about the concept of "intro tiles" and variables to manage the maze generation.

We will develop a custom Cartesian direction system to map out the dungeon's layout. This lesson introduces enumerations to set north, east, south, and west coordinates for your maze tiles.

Learn how to use loops and our custom direction system to find adjacent tiles in the maze. This lesson dives into the logic needed for smooth dungeon generation.

Explore new Blueprint nodes like "Select" and "Get from Array" as you create coordinates for tile placement. Learn how to spawn intro blocks and calculate world locations for tiles.

We’ll finish the intro tile spawn and begin visualizing maze tiles with directional arrows representing north, east, south, and west exits. Learn how to enhance the visual aspect of the generator.

In this lesson, we’ll visually improve the tiles by adding bottom walls, giving the maze a castle-like feel. Discover how to make the environment more immersive for players.

Discover how Blueprint interfaces allow different Blueprints to communicate with each other. We’ll implement functionality to toggle arrows based on exits and hide unnecessary indicators.

Learn how to create a function to find available exits, filtering out existing ones. This lesson sets up the backtrack algorithm to manage maze shape and tile placement.

Start coding the base maze shape using rules to find the next tile based on dungeon coordinates. We’ll prepare the algorithm to expand the dungeon seamlessly.

Complete the first phase of maze generation by spawning continuous tiles until the rules dictate a stop. Learn how to manage tile sequences using your algorithm.

Create a custom backtrack system that follows specific rules to form new maze branches. Track visited locations and handle tile branching effectively.

Finalize the backtrack system by adding rules for tile exits and handling scenarios where no more tiles can be placed. This ensures smooth dungeon generation even when out of options.

We’ll create a function to connect tiles that are adjacent but disconnected after the main build process. Fix false exits and ensure a smooth dungeon layout.

Fix a bug related to false exits and introduce soft vs. hard references in Blueprints. Begin designing the decoration Blueprint for visual elements like walls and props.

Create a function to place walls where the maze paths are blocked. Learn how to visually divide your dungeon and manage the wall placement logic using your decorations Blueprint.

Upgrade tile connection rules to create default corridors. We’ll explore how these default patterns set the stage for adding rooms and other spawnable elements to the dungeon.

Delve deeper into room building as we connect previous lessons with room and spawnable entity creation. We’ll also create the elevator and chest Blueprints needed for dungeon progression.

Create a function to determine the coordinates for the chest containing the key, using rules and a while loop. Learn best practices for managing item placement with caution.

This lesson explains the room builder algorithm and how it calculates possible room placements. Begin coding the system to integrate rooms into the maze seamlessly.

Complete the room-building function to identify all potential 2x2 rooms within the maze. These rooms will serve as key gameplay areas for loot, chests, and quests.

Create a function to calculate the perimeter of each room. This will be essential in decorating and designing functional spaces within your dungeon.

Finish the function that lists all possible rooms and debug the process. Learn how to identify errors and refine your room-generation system.

Begin constructing rooms using the data from previous lessons. This lesson teaches you how to design cohesive rooms that fit into the dungeon’s maze-like structure.

Continue refining the room-building function by adjusting internal walls and setting correct directional arrows. Learn how to improve room layout accuracy.

Complete the internal wall and arrow direction functions for room creation. This lesson focuses on ensuring that the room structures fit within the overall dungeon design.

Add randomness to your room designs by creating random internal walls. Prepare for the next step, which involves external wall functions.

Implement variations for room walls based on room numbers, adding depth and diversity to the dungeon’s visual style.

Establish rules for creating room doors and start coding the system that segments the maze into different areas. These areas will influence door placement.

Develop the core mechanics for dungeon area segmentation, ensuring the maze is divided into manageable sections. This is key for controlling room and door placement.

Add the finishing touches to the dungeon segmentation mechanics. Ensure all areas are divided logically for optimized gameplay flow.

Create a function to categorize segmented dungeon areas based on size. This will help when designing rooms, spawn points, and loot distribution.

Finish the area categorization function and create a function to replace floors based on the area type, adding a visual distinction between dungeon sections.

Develop a function that categorizes hidden rooms within the dungeon, adding a layer of mystery and exploration to your game.

Add functionality to swap specific walls with doors in your decorations Blueprint, enhancing the visual and functional aspects of the dungeon.

Complete the door function by adding sigils above doors and creating a system for areas with single doors.

Implement the functions for areas with single doors, ensuring gameplay logic and visual elements are correctly handled in these rooms.

Finalize the door placement system and develop a function to connect all external dungeon walls. This lesson will enhance the structural cohesion of the environment.

Add decorations to both external and internal walls that aren’t part of rooms. Learn how to visually distinguish different parts of the dungeon.