Grid Fighter

Project Description

Grid Fighter was created for the GMTK 2026.

The core mechanic revolves entirely around countdowns. In this grid-based top-down pixel art adventure, players navigate a dangerous world where nothing lasts forever. Every item that spawns on the field has a countdown, miss it, and it disappears. Every item in your inventory has a countdown , wait too long, and you lose its power. Even item spawns themselves follow a countdown rhythm: every three steps, a new item enters the field.

Players must fight enemies across multiple levels using swords, bows, potions, and tactical gear while constantly managing their expiring resources. The goal is to clear all enemies in each level and reach the treasure room to collect diamonds. Strategy isn't just about combat, it's about timing. Do you grab that damage potion now or push toward the enemy before your sword expires? Every step ticks every countdown forward, turning each move into a meaningful decision.

The countdown isn't just the theme, it is the game.

How to Play

Controls

Key	Action
W	Move up
A	Move left
S	Move down
D	Move right
Hover	Hover over any item to see its description

Goal

Clear all enemies in each level, then reach the Treasure Room to collect diamonds and advance.

The Countdown Mechanic

Countdowns are the heartbeat of the game. They govern everything:

• Item Spawn Countdown: A counter on screen counts down with each step you take. Every three steps, a new item spawns on the grid. The upcoming items are previewed in the Item Bag on the left side of the screen, showing the next 5 items that will appear.
• Field Item Countdown: Every item sitting on the grid has its own countdown. Each step you take ticks it down by one. If the countdown reaches zero before you pick it up, the item disappears forever.
• Inventory Item Countdown: Collected items go into your Inventory (displayed below the grid) and their effects are applied to your character immediately. But they also have a countdown. Each step ticks it down, and when it hits zero, the item and its bonuses are gone. You must keep collecting new items to stay powerful.

You are never safe. You are always losing something. Plan your route carefully.

Items

Item	Effect
Sword	Melee weapon — increases your attack range and damage
Bow	Ranged weapon — increases your attack range and damage
Damage Potion	Boosts your damage output
Stepper Shoes	Lets you move multiple fields per step
Heart	Restores health
Guitar	Enemies can't attack you, they stop to listen to the music

All items are temporary. Their countdowns start ticking the moment they appear on the field, and again once collected into your inventory.

UI Overview

• Left Side => Item Bag: Shows the next 5 items that will spawn, plus the step counter until the next spawn.
• Center => Grid: The game world. Move, fight, collect.
• Below Grid => Inventory: Your currently held items with their remaining countdown timers and stat modifiers (damage, range, health, etc.).

Strategy Tips

• Watch the Item Bag to plan your movement toward where the next useful item will appear.
• Don't waste steps = every move ticks down every countdown in the game.
• The Guitar is a powerful defensive tool; save it for moments when you're surrounded.
• Stepper Shoes change your movement range, which can help you grab expiring items or close distance on enemies quickly.
• Keep your inventory stocked. Losing all your items mid-fight means losing all your bonus damage and range.

Hardcore Mode 

In Hardcore Mode, the countdown consumes everything, including you life.