Inspiration

This project started from pure vibe coding — no roadmap, no script, just the will to build something dark, challenging, and atmospheric. I’ve always admired games like Limbo and Inside, and I wanted to create a short yet intense platformer with a moody feel, creepy enemies, and increasing tension. Every idea — from the creepy ghosts to the floating orb — came naturally as I went.

What I Built

Echoes Below is a 2D side-scrolling platformer created in Unity using C#. Everything from the movement system to the cutscenes was built without a rigid plan. Key features include:

A cinematic intro and “Ascend” animation before gameplay
Player movement with jump, left, and right controls
A dark aesthetic with glowing lights and shadows
Ghost enemies with animated creepy behavior
Spikes placed above and below platforms to increase difficulty
A loading screen, start menu, and ending credits

What I Learned

Coding level mechanics and death logic on the go
Crafting smooth jump + move mechanics
Building cutscenes and transition animations in Unity
How to balance a game to be hard, but fair
Solving bugs like edge-slip issues and animation glitches
That improvisation and intuition (vibe coding) can lead to amazing results

Challenges Faced

Slipping issues on small platforms (resolved with collider tweaks)
Designing increasing difficulty without overwhelming the player
Timing ghosts and spikes to create pressure
Making every level feel meaningful despite the limited scope
Managing pacing, polish, and creativity in a tight timeline

Built With

  • bolt
Share this project:

Updates