Toy Path

A breath-based puzzle where the world moves when you don’t breathe.
Hold your breath to guide tiny toy workers, and solve quiet timing challenges in this minimalist HTML5 puzzle game.

Toy Path is a short, pattern-driven experience built in just 12 days between Spark deliveries and late-night coding sessions. It’s the first completed entry in my Glean series — a collection of small games designed to explore classic game design patterns through simple, atmospheric play.

🧩 Core Idea

You can walk freely, but when you reach an obstacle, you have to hold your breath, and that's when:

• Toys awaken

• Bridges shift

• Paths open

Release your breath too soon, and the toys become ragdolls. Hopefully you didn't start breathing again while over water!

⚙️ Patterns Featured

• Resource-Limited Movement

• Environmental Timing Puzzle

• Indirect Control

• Safe Zones

• Spatial Hazard

• Soft Reset Loop

• Short-Stage Loop

• Minimalist Feedback

• Press-and-Hold (Breath Mechanic)

• Gradual Rule Introduction

These patterns shape each tiny level and give the game its rhythm.

🎮 Gameplay

Move across each small map, manipulate timing, let toys operate levers, and reach the exit before your breath runs dry.
Fail?
No stress — the entire level resets instantly.

🌱 About the Project

Toy Path began as a small experimental idea in my Glean Cadence Lab and grew into my first fully completed game. It marks my transition from building tools (Topic Creator, SpriteGrid, Pattern Chooser) to building finished experiences.
It was developed in partnership with my AI collaborator, Spruce, who taught me and helped design systems, logic, art, and the retro-style instruction manual included with the game.

🕹️ Playtime

5–10 minutes
Short, clean, replayable.

💾 Technology

HTML5 · JavaScript · Custom Grid Engine · BFS Pathfinding · Flipbook Manual