Inspiration: i wanted to create a fun, simple, and visually appealing puzzle game that anyone could pick up and play instantly. Inspired by classic grid-based strategy puzzles and minimalist “one-button” games, Shadow Escape challenges players to think ahead, navigate obstacles, and reach the goal — all while using intuitive controls. my goal was to design a game that’s accessible, engaging, and perfect for quick demos, while showcasing creativity in gameplay and interface design.
What it does: Shadow Escape is a grid-based puzzle game where the player controls a shadow block. The objective is to reach the green exit while avoiding red obstacles. Players can move the shadow using on-screen arrow buttons or keyboard arrows, making it accessible for both desktop and laptop users. The game features.
.A clean, card-style interface .A “How to Play” modal with instructions .Win/Lose popup messages with a restart option .Smooth gameplay with simple, intuitive mechanics .The game focuses on strategy, timing, and planning moves, creating a satisfying experience despite its minimal controls.
How we built it: i built Shadow Escape using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript:
HTML: Structured the start screen, game board, controls, and popups. CSS: Designed soft, modern card-style UI with pastel colors and smooth rounded elements. JavaScript: Implemented game logic including shadow movement, collision detection, win/lose conditions, keyboard support, and button interactions. i focused on clean, readable code that can be easily expanded with new levels or features in the future.
Challenges we ran into: Button functionality issues: Initially, the on-screen arrow buttons did not respond after switching screens. We solved this by attaching event listeners after the game screen loads.
Designing the interface: Making the start screen visually appealing while keeping it simple and functional took careful layout planning.
Ensuring smooth gameplay: Handling edge cases where the shadow might move outside the grid or collide with obstacles required precise logic.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
What we learned: The importance of user-friendly interfaces for first-time players.
How to manage event listeners correctly when dynamically changing screens.
The power of simple mechanics with engaging gameplay — even a minimal-control game can be fun and challenging.
How to structure code cleanly for a small game so it can be expanded in the future.
What's next for shadow escape: Add multiple levels with increasing difficulty and new obstacle patterns.
Introduce animated movement for the shadow to make gameplay visually smoother.
Implement a score or move counter to challenge players to complete levels efficiently.
Expand to mobile-friendly design, making the game playable on smartphones.
Potentially add new mechanics, such as power-ups, moving obstacles, or timed challenges.
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