Decode

About the Game

DECODE is a minimalist platformer set in a digital void. You play as a small pixel character exploring a deep, vertical world. Hidden throughout the environment are fragments of a secret code. Your task is to collect all the fragments and piece together the hidden message.

The World

The game takes place in a vast vertical space filled with floating platforms. Each platform displays a piece of code—fragments of programming syntax that serve as the landscape. As you descend deeper, the atmosphere becomes darker and more mysterious. Red bugs patrol certain platforms, adding challenge to your descent.

Gameplay

• Movement: Control your character left and right across platforms.
• Double Jump: Jump once in the air to reach higher platforms. A jump indicator shows remaining jumps.
• Collection: Find 15 glowing orange characters hidden throughout the world.
• Avoid: Red bugs that move back and forth on platforms. Touching them ends the run.
• Depth: A depth meter shows how far down you've traveled.

The Secret Code

Every playthrough generates a unique secret code. The code consists of words and symbols separated by hyphens (e.g., ALPHA-7X-3Z). Each character in the code (letters, numbers, symbols) is hidden somewhere in the world. As you collect them, the hidden message gradually reveals itself in the transmission box at the bottom of the screen.

When all 15 characters are collected, the complete code is revealed. The code changes with each new game and depends on the selected language.

Languages

The game supports two languages:

• English: Codes use Latin letters (X, Z, K, M, Q, V, W, Y) and numbers
• Russian: Codes use Cyrillic letters (Ж, Ц, Ч, Ш, Щ, Э, Ю, Я, Ф, Ъ) and numbers

Switch languages from the start screen. The entire interface updates to match.

Controls

PC / Keyboard

• Left / Right: Arrow keys or A/D
• Jump: Space, Up Arrow, or W
• Double Jump: Press jump again while in the air

Mobile / Touch

• Joystick: Drag in the left control area to move
• Jump Button: Tap the orange button on the right

Visual Design

• Pixel art aesthetic with retro terminal styling
• Dark gradient backgrounds with floating digital particles
• Player character glows cyan with orange accents
• Collectible characters pulse with orange glow
• Red bugs have glitchy movement and occasional visual distortion
• Transmission box shows revealed characters and hidden ones as question marks

Sound

8-bit style sound effects created with Web Audio API:

• Jump: Rising square wave
• Double Jump: Higher pitch arpeggio
• Collect: Ascending note sequence
• Death: Descending sawtooth
• Win: Melodic sequence of notes

Sound can be toggled on/off using the speaker icon on the start screen. Your preference is saved.

Game Flow

1. Select language on the start screen (EN or RU).
2. Read the instructions and press START.
3. A new world generates with a unique secret code.
4. Navigate platforms, avoid red bugs, collect glowing characters.
5. Watch the transmission box slowly reveal the hidden message.
6. Collect all 15 characters to see the complete code.
7. If you touch a bug, the game ends and you can retry.