🎮 Turn-Based RPG — Full Stack Challenge (Nordeus 2026)

Full-stack turn-based RPG with server-authoritative combat and event-driven battle replay

▶️ Watch Full Playthrough (3 min)

📑 Table of Contents

• Overview
• Gameplay Loop
• Map System
• Combat System
• Event-Based Combat Reconciliation
• Progression System
• Move System
• Save System
• Backend Architecture
• Architecture Overview
• How to Run
• Known Limitations
• Planned Improvements

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📌 Project Summary

A full-stack turn-based RPG with server-authoritative combat, event-based reconciliation, and run-based progression built in Unity + ASP.NET Core.

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Overview

A full-stack turn-based RPG prototype featuring a server-driven combat system, run-based progression, and modular game architecture built in Unity.

The player progresses through a 5-node encounter map, fighting monsters in sequential battles, learning new abilities, leveling up, and managing their loadout between encounters.

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Gameplay Loop

1. Start new run → fetch configuration from server
2. Traverse encounter map (5 nodes)
3. Enter turn-based combat
4. Resolve battle via server-driven logic
5. Learn new monster abilities on win
6. Level up and progress
7. Repeat until final encounter

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Map System

• 5-node encounter map (designed for future procedural generation)
• Node states:
  • 🔒 Locked
  • ⚪ Available next encounter
  • 🟢 Completed
• Re-playable encounters for XP and move farming
• Move management available between battles

📽️ Demo: Map Navigation & Node States

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Combat System

• Turn-based combat (player vs monster)
• Server-authoritative turn resolution
• Client sends action → server returns:
  • updated battle state
  • event list (damage/heal/status)
• Client reconstructs battle visually from event stream

Features:

• Physical & Magic scaling system
• Defense mitigation system
• Status effects system (extensible)
• Battle log (color-coded actions)
• Floating combat text (damage/heal feedback)

📽️ Demo: Full Battle Showcase

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Event-Based Combat Reconciliation

Instead of directly applying results, the server returns structured events:

• Damage events
• Heal events
• Status application events

Client responsibility:

• Replay events sequentially
• Reconstruct battle visualization deterministically

📽️ Demo: Battle Log + Event Replay

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Progression System

• XP-based leveling system
• Flat stat scaling per level:
  • Attack
  • Defense
  • Magic
  • Health (+max HP scaling)
• Monster kill → XP gain
• Level-up triggers stat increase

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Move System

• 4 equipped move slots
• Full move library (learned from monsters)
• Move Manager UI:
  • equip / swap system
  • disables already-equipped moves
• ScriptableObject-based asset system:
  • Move definitions
  • Hero sprites (idle/attack/hit)
  • Effect sprites

📽️ Demo: Move Management System

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Save System

• Single-slot save system
• Save & Exit flow from map
• Load disabled if no save exists
• Overwrites previous run intentionally

📽️ Demo: Save/Load Flow

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Backend Architecture

• Server-driven run configuration (5 encounters)
• Monster move selection endpoint (per turn)
• Result pattern for structured responses
• Custom validation pipeline (rule-based system)

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Architecture Overview

Client

• Unity (C#)
• GameManager (global state singleton)
• BattleManager (scene-scoped singleton)
• ApiClient (global singleton)

Systems:

• Combat System
• Progression System
• Map System
• UI System

Server

• Stateless battle logic
• Config-driven encounter generation
• Turn resolution engine

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How to Run the Project

🎮 Unity Client

1. Open Unity Hub
2. Click Open Project
3. Select: /Unity
4. Open scene: MainMenu
5. Press Play ▶️

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🌐 Backend Server (.NET 9 / ASP.NET Core)

1. Navigate to server project folder: /TurnBasedRPG.API

2. Restore dependencies: dotnet restore

3. Run the API: dotnet run

4. API will be available at: https://localhost:7203 or http://localhost:5192

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⚠️ Important

Make sure the backend is running before starting the Unity client, as the game depends on runtime API calls for:

• run configuration
• combat resolution

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🧪 Recommended Flow

1. Start backend (dotnet run)
2. Open Unity project
3. Press Play
4. Click "Start New Run"

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Known Limitations

• No final victory screen after last encounter
• No visible XP/level UI during run
• Single save slot only
• Map is static (procedural generation planned)
• Move system is not drag-and-drop yet

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Planned Improvements

• Procedural map generation
• Drag & drop move system
• Status effects expansion (poison, bleed, etc.)
• Resource system (mana/energy)
• Improved battle animations
• Smarter AI (context-aware decisions)
• End-game victory screen
• Hero class system

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Full Playthrough Demo

Full demo included above

Includes:

• Start new run
• Map navigation
• Multiple battles
• Level-up showcase
• Move management usage
• Save & exit flow

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🧑‍💻 Author

David Novaković
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/novakovic-david