The Project
A Guide to the Light is a challenging climb-based platformer about perseverance and depression. Inspired by Getting Over It and Jump King, it uses difficulty to reinforce its message: no matter how often you fall, you can always climb again.
What I Did
I designed and programmed everything, from the physics and mouse-based jump system to a dynamic soundtrack that added instruments as you progressed. I also used Unity’s post-processing volumes to shift mood and tone as players climbed.
What I Learned
This game taught me that gameplay and theme can be inseparable. The hardest part was tuning the movement system to feel consistent and readable without losing the intended frustration. I also learned a lot about Unity’s sound system. Some players thought it was too hard — but that feedback confirmed I’d nailed the emotional tone I was going for.
Why I did this project
This was a personal project built around the theme of “breaking away.” I decided to focus on breaking away from depression and hopelessness, creating a message that no matter how bad things get, you can still climb out. I wanted the game to feel hopeful without being cheesy, something emotionally honest and real.