Defender: Side Scroller Shooter Kit

Defender: SSSK is a complete Unreal Engine side scroller shooter template built with a powerful component-based and event-driven Blueprint architecture, designed to help developers create high-quality shooter games with minimal setup.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, Defender provides a production-ready foundation to prototype or ship your own game.

🎮 Core Features

• 100% Blueprint System (No C++)

• Fully commented and educational structure

• Component-based architecture (modular & reusable)

• Event-driven system (optimized, no heavy casting)

• Ready-to-use complete project

Defender is built to be both developer-friendly and scalable, allowing you to easily extend or integrate systems into your own projects.

🔫 Combat & Gameplay Systems

• Multiple weapon types:

  • Assault Rifle

  • Heavy Machine Gun

  • Plasma Rifle

  • Rocket Launcher

  • Sniper Rifle

• Advanced combat features:

  • Projectile & shooting system

  • Melee combat system (including combos)

  • Damage system with visual feedback

  • Hit reactions & ragdoll physics

  • Weapon upgrade system (DataTable-driven)

• Enemy variety:

  • Trooper, Sniper, Boomer, Heavy Gunner

  • Melee enemies (gruntling, spiderling, boss)

     

🤖 AI & Game Logic

• Behavior Tree-based AI system

• Flexible AI behaviors:

• Targeting & grouping system (NPC tags)

• Enemy wave & boss fight ready structure

🧩 Modular Component System

Easily add gameplay features to any actor:

• Health System (with event dispatchers)

• Inventory System (weapons, ammo, currency)

• Loot System (random & specific drops)

• Ability System (dash, barrier, turret, etc.)

• Stats & Leveling System (XP, perks, attributes)

• Dialogue System (branching with stat requirements)

• Interaction System (plug & play)

💬 Advanced Dialogue System

• DataTable-driven dialogue system

• Branching dialogues with stat requirements:

  • Reasoning

  • Manipulation

  • Intimidation

  • Karma

• Dialogue features:

  • Multiple choices & outcomes

  • Dialogue continuation system

  • Trigger events from dialogue

  • Dialogue bubbles & cinematic mode

Perfect for creating story-driven gameplay experiences.

🛠️ Player Systems

• Inventory (weapons, grenades, medkits, gold)

• Equipment & armor system

• Ability slots & skill usage

• Player stats & leveling system

• Full player screen UI (Character, Weapons, Armor, Abilities)

🛒 Shop System

• In-game Vending Machine system

• Buy weapons using in-game currency

• Fully extendable item system

💾 Save / Load System

• Partitioned save system

• Saves:

  • Player data

  • Inventory

  • Enemies

  • Loot

🎮 Additional Features

• Full Gamepad Support (UI + Gameplay)

• Local Co-op support (up to 3 players)

• Objective system

• Dynamic music system

• Event trigger system (cutscenes, spawns, etc.)

Additional information

Features:

• Fully commented and educational structure

• The project has both UE4 and UE5 skeleton support.

   

Number of Blueprints: 537

Number of Widget Blueprints: 102

Input: Keyboard & Mouse, Gamepad With Game & UI Support

Network Replicated: No (Local Coop Support)

Supported Development Platforms:

• Windows: Yes

• Mac: Yes