Text-Based Adventure Game

CS50 Harvard - Final Project 2023

Description

This is a dungeon crawler text-based adventure game written in Java as my final project for CS50 (Harvard's Introduction to Computer Science) in 2023. The game features turn-based combat, health management, and random enemy encounters as you explore a dangerous dungeon.

Project Goals

This project was created to:

• Learn Java fundamentals - Master core Java concepts including object-oriented programming principles, control flow, and user input handling
• Understand game development concepts - Explore game loops, state management, random number generation, and player/enemy interaction systems
• Build a complete application - Design and implement a fully functional game from start to finish

Features

• Random Enemy Encounters - Face off against various enemies (Skeleton, Zombie, Warrior, Assassin)
• Combat System - Engage in battles with randomized damage output
• Health Management - Monitor your health and use health potions strategically
• Item Drops - Defeat enemies for a chance to obtain health potions
• Player Choices - Attack, drink potions, or flee from combat
• Continuous Gameplay - Choose to continue fighting or exit the dungeon after each victory

Requirements

• Java Development Kit (JDK) - Version 8 or higher

How to Run

1. Navigate to the project directory:

   cd Text-based-adventure

2. Compile the Java file:

   javac Main.java

3. Run the game:

   java Main

How to Play

When you start the game, you'll be welcomed to the dungeon. Random enemies will appear, and you'll be presented with options:

• 1. Attack - Deal random damage to the enemy (0-50 HP) and take damage in return (0-25 HP)
• 2. Drink - Consume a health potion to restore 30 HP (if available)
• 3. Run! - Flee from the current enemy and encounter a new one

After defeating an enemy:

• You have a 20% chance to receive a health potion drop
• Choose to continue fighting or exit the dungeon

The game ends when:

• Your health drops below 1 (defeat)
• You choose to exit the dungeon (victory)

Example Gameplay

Welcome to the Dungeon!
---------------------------------------

        # Skeleton appeared! #

        Your HP: 100
        Skeleton's HP: 100

        What would you like to do?
        1. Attack
        2. Drink
        3. Run!
1
        > You strike the Skeleton for 42 damage.
        > You have taken 18 damage in retaliation!

        Your HP: 82
        Skeleton's HP: 58

        What would you like to do?
        1. Attack
        2. Drink
        3. Run!
1
        > You strike the Skeleton for 35 damage.
        > You have taken 22 damage in retaliation!

        Your HP: 60
        Skeleton's HP: 23

        What would you like to do?
        1. Attack
        2. Drink
        3. Run!
1
        > You strike the Skeleton for 28 damage.
        > You have taken 15 damage in retaliation!

---------------------------------------
 # Skeleton was defeated! #
 # You have 45 HP left. #
 # The Skeleton dropped a health potion! #
 # You now have 4 health potion(s). #
---------------------------------------
What would you like to do now?
1. Continue fighting
2. Exit dungeon

Game Mechanics

Component	Value
Player Starting Health	100 HP
Player Attack Damage	0-50 HP (random)
Starting Health Potions	3
Health Potion Heal Amount	30 HP
Enemy Max Health	100 HP
Enemy Attack Damage	0-25 HP (random)
Health Potion Drop Chance	20%

Project Structure

text-based-adventure/
└── Text-based-adventure/
    └── Main.java          # Main game logic and loop

Planned Features

Future enhancements outlined in the code:

• Health bar visualization in command line
• Backpack size system
• Full inventory management
• Additional items for pickup
• True turn-based combat (enemy doesn't attack when drinking potions)
• Multiple locations/rooms
• Location-specific enemies
• Weapons system with varied damage types

Development Notes

This project demonstrates understanding of:

• Java syntax and structure - Classes, methods, and the main game loop
• Control flow - While loops, if-else statements, and labeled breaks
• User input handling - Scanner class for command-line interaction
• Random number generation - Creating unpredictable game experiences
• Arrays - Storing and randomly selecting enemy types
• Game state management - Tracking health, potions, and game status
• String manipulation - Formatting output for user feedback

Author

Created by Legion345 as a CS50 Harvard final project in 2023.

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This project is part of my journey learning computer science and software development.