Skip to main content

Spirit Maze

Navigate a haunted maze filled with orbs and avoid ghostly pursuers in this Pac-Man-inspired challenge.

Game Overview​

Inspiration: Pac-Man
Genre: Maze Navigation
Controls: Motion (tilt to move)
Difficulty: Easy to Hard (level-based)
Duration: ~3-5 minutes per session

Objective​

Primary Goal: Collect all orbs in the maze

Win Conditions:

  • Collect all regular orbs (white dots)
  • Survive ghost encounters
  • Complete before time runs out

Lose Conditions:

  • Lose all lives (collide with ghosts)
  • Time expires before completion

How to Play​

Controls​

Motion Tilt:

  • Tilt Forward - Move up
  • Tilt Back - Move down
  • Tilt Left - Move left
  • Tilt Right - Move right
  • Neutral - Stop moving

Input System:

  • Direction queued at intersections
  • Smooth turn execution
  • No sharp 180° turns while moving
  • Must stop or reach intersection to reverse

Game Elements​

Your Character (Player)​

Visual: Animated guardian sprite
Abilities:

  • Collect orbs
  • Move through maze passages
  • Turn at intersections
  • Collide with ghosts (loses life)

Orbs (Collectibles)​

Types:

  • Regular Orbs - White dots, main collectible
  • Power Orbs (if implemented) - Larger, special powers
  • Rare Pages (daily variant) - Bonus collectible

Collection:

  • Walk over orbs to collect
  • Instant pickup
  • Contributes to score
  • Progress toward level completion

Ghosts (Enemies)​

Behavior:

  • Patrol the maze
  • Chase the player
  • AI-driven pathfinding
  • Speed increases with level

Ghost AI:

  • Chase Mode - Pursues player actively
  • Scatter Mode - Returns to corners
  • Frightened Mode (with power orbs) - Runs away

Collision:

  • Touching ghost = lose 1 life
  • Player respawns at start position
  • Brief invincibility after respawn

Maze Structure​

Layout:

  • Rectangular grid of passages
  • Walls block movement
  • Intersections for turning
  • No teleport tunnels (yet)

Visibility:

  • Full maze visible
  • Real-time updates
  • Orb positions shown
  • Ghost locations visible

Heads-Up Display (HUD)​

Top Bar Elements:

Score (Center):

  • Current point total
  • Updates in real-time
  • Large, visible display

Lives (Left):

  • Remaining lives count
  • Usually starts with 3
  • Heart or life icons
  • Color: Blue (#8ab4f8)

Level (Right):

  • Current difficulty level
  • Increases periodically
  • Affects ghost behavior
  • Color: Red/Orange

Timer (if shown):

  • Remaining time
  • Countdown format
  • Warning at low time
  • Game over at zero

Level Progression​

Starting Level: 1

Level-Up Triggers:

  • Collect 33% of orbs → Level 2
  • Collect 66% of orbs → Level 3
  • Collect 100% of orbs → Level 4 (if continuing)

Difficulty Increases:

  • Ghost speed faster
  • Shorter reaction time
  • More aggressive AI
  • Reduced safe time

Scoring System​

Points Breakdown​

Orb Collection:

  • Regular orb: 10 points each
  • Power orb: 50 points (if present)
  • Rare page: 100 points (special variant)

Performance Bonuses:

  • Time bonus: Points for time remaining
  • No-death bonus: Complete without losing lives
  • Combo bonus: Consecutive orb collection
  • Level completion: Base level bonus

Score Calculation:

Base Score = Orbs Collected × Point Value
Time Bonus = Remaining Seconds × 5
Level Bonus = Level Reached × 100
No-Death Bonus = 500 (if applicable)

Final Score = Base + Time + Level + No-Death

Coin Conversion: Your final score equals coins earned (1:1 ratio)

Strategies & Tips​

Beginner Strategies​

Maze Navigation:

  1. Learn the layout - Study maze before moving fast
  2. Plan your route - Map out orb collection path
  3. Use edges - Perimeter often safer
  4. Watch intersections - Ghosts can ambush

Ghost Avoidance:

  1. Keep moving - Stationary = vulnerable
  2. Monitor ghost positions - Always aware
  3. Use corners - Turn corners for escapes
  4. Create distance - Don't let them get close

Orb Collection:

  1. Clear sections - Complete areas fully
  2. Don't backtrack - Inefficient and risky
  3. Save difficult areas - Do easy parts first
  4. Know last orbs - Plan final collection

Advanced Strategies​

AI Patterns:

  • Ghosts have predictable patrol routes
  • Learn individual ghost behaviors
  • Exploit AI weaknesses
  • Bait ghosts into corners

Speed Running:

  • Optimal path planning
  • Minimal turns
  • Aggressive collection
  • Risk management

High Score Techniques:

  • Fast completion = time bonus
  • Zero deaths = maximum bonus
  • Combo collection = multipliers
  • Level progression for bonuses

Motion Control Tips​

Calibration:

  • Calibrate before playing
  • Hold device steady at neutral
  • Test calibration in first seconds
  • Recalibrate if controls feel off

Tilt Technique:

  • Small tilts work best
  • Smooth movements prevent oversteering
  • Return to neutral at intersections
  • Anticipate turns at crossings

Position:

  • Sit with elbows supported
  • Hold device at comfortable angle
  • Consistent grip throughout game
  • Avoid fatigue with breaks

Common Mistakes​

Navigation Errors:

  • ❌ Overshooting turns
  • ❌ Wrong direction input
  • ❌ Forgetting queued input
  • ❌ Panicking in corners

Strategy Mistakes:

  • ❌ Chasing single orbs
  • ❌ Ignoring ghost positions
  • ❌ Random movement
  • ❌ Rushing without plan

Control Mistakes:

  • ❌ Not calibrating
  • ❌ Jerky tilts
  • ❌ Extreme angles
  • ❌ Inconsistent position

Troubleshooting​

Character Won't Turn:

  • Check if at intersection
  • Verify tilt input registered
  • Look for queued input indicator
  • Recalibrate if needed

Ghosts Too Fast:

  • Current level may be high
  • Practice at lower levels
  • Improve avoidance strategies
  • Learn ghost patterns

Can't Collect Last Orbs:

  • Check maze corners carefully
  • Look for hidden passages
  • Verify orb counter
  • Report bug if truly missing

Accessibility Features​

Motion Sensitivity:

  • Adjustable through calibration
  • Forgiving dead zones
  • Smooth input processing

Visual Clarity:

  • High contrast maze
  • Clear orb visibility
  • Distinct ghost colors
  • Large HUD elements

Difficulty Options:

  • Starts easy (Level 1)
  • Natural progression
  • Can replay easier versions

Variants & Modifiers​

Daily "Rare Page":

  • Special collectible spawns
  • Extra points
  • Unlocks Codex XP
  • Limited-time availability

Future Modifiers:

  • "Mist Tiles" - Limited visibility
  • Speed boosts
  • Invincibility power-ups
  • Time extensions

Practice Mode​

Learning the Game:

  1. Start with easy territories
  2. Practice ghost avoidance
  3. Learn maze layouts
  4. Master motion controls
  5. Increase difficulty gradually

Skill Building:

  • Focus on one aspect per run
  • Practice specific maneuvers
  • Study ghost AI patterns
  • Time your movements

Leaderboards & Achievements​

Challenge-Specific:

  • High score records
  • Fastest completion
  • No-death runs
  • Perfect collection

Personal Goals:

  • Beat your best score
  • Improve completion time
  • Master all difficulty levels
  • Collect rare pages

Connection to Game World​

Thematic Elements:

  • Ghosts are cursed spirits
  • Orbs are spirit energy
  • Maze represents spiritual realm
  • Collecting orbs purifies area

Lore Integration:

  • Part of guardian training
  • Tests navigation skills
  • Spiritual awareness challenge
  • Ancient maze tradition

Quick Reference​

ElementDescription
ObjectiveCollect all orbs
ControlsTilt device to move
WinAll orbs collected
LoseZero lives or timeout
LivesUsually 3
ScoringOrbs + bonuses
DifficultyIncreases with levels

Next Steps​

Pro Tip: Watch the ghost movement patterns for 10-15 seconds before aggressively collecting orbs. Understanding their behavior is key to avoiding collisions!