Squish Run

🥊 Hitbox Manipulation Mechanics

Squish Run deconstructs the traditional platformer by making the protagonist's physical dimensions the primary mechanic. Unlike Mario or Sonic, where the character's bounding box is static, here the player must actively toggle between states: a heavy, block-breaking square and a compressed, fluid sludge. This mechanic, known as dynamic hitbox alteration, forces players to rethink how they interact with level geometry.

The game is set in a vibrant, pixel-art gauntlet where obstacles are either too low to jump over (requiring the "squish") or breakable walls (requiring the "punch"). It is a rhythm of expansion and contraction.

🧠 Cognitive Flexibility Training

The core loop engages the brain's executive functions:

• Inhibitory Control: You must suppress the urge to jump at every obstacle. Some threats require staying grounded and shrinking.
• Task Switching: Rapidly alternating between "Squish" (Defense/Evasion) and "Punch" (Offense/Destruction) modes builds neural plasticity.
• Reaction Time: The scrolling speed increases linearly. By level 10, the window for decision-making drops to milliseconds.

🎮 Controls & Physics

Simple inputs mask complex interactions:

• Tap to Squish: Holding the input compresses the character on the Y-axis while expanding slightly on the X-axis. This allows passage under spikes.
• Release to Punch: Releasing the input restores full size instantly. If timed correctly, this expansion imparts kinetic energy, smashing through brick barriers.
• Momentum Conservation: While squished, friction is reduced. You slide faster under obstacles, which must be accounted for when approaching the next pit.

🏆 Mastery Techniques

1. The "Slide-Jump" Cancel

Advanced players use the squish mechanic mid-air. By squishing at the peak of a jump, you can modify your arc and land faster, allowing for precise speed-running optimization.

2. Buffer the Expansion

Don't wait until you are fully clear of a tunnel to expand. Release the squish button a fraction of a second before exiting. The expansion animation will clip through the ceiling harmlessly, but the punch hitbox will activate immediately for the next wall.

🛡️ Technical Notes

Performance specs:

• Canvas Rendering: The pixel-art style is lightweight, ensuring zero frame drops even on mobile browsers.
• Input Buffering: The engine registers taps even during animation frames to prevent "dropped" inputs.

❓ FAQ