16-Bit Side-Scroller Horror Game
Budget / SalaryHourly project
TypeFreelance project
LocationRemote
Posted2 hours ago
I’m building a retro-styled, 16-bit horror experience for PC and need the entire project set up from scratch. Think moody pixel art, atmospheric sound design, and tight, responsive side-scrolling controls. The player must explore multiple interconnected rooms, solve logic-based puzzles that gate progression, fight or avoid enemies, manage a visible health bar, and unravel a concise narrative delivered through in-game events and brief text.
Core requirements
• Pixel-art graphics that evoke classic 90s consoles, with palette consistency and parallax where appropriate.
• A side-scrolling camera with smooth player movement, jumping, crouching, and melee or ranged attacks.
• Enemy AI that patrols, chases, and damages the player on contact.
• Distinct rooms/levels stitched together seamlessly or via short transitions.
• Logic puzzles (switches, pattern matching, sequence solving, etc.) integrated naturally into the environment.
• Dynamic sound effects and looping background music that react to tension moments.
• HUD-based health system plus visible feedback when hit.
• Save/load checkpoints (at least one manual and one auto-save slot).
• Compact story conveyed through environmental cues and minimal text pop-ups.
Deliverables
1. Fully working source code, cleanly organized and commented.
2. All art, audio, and project files in clearly named folders.
3. One click (or simple command-line) build/run instructions for Windows PC.
4. A short README covering controls, puzzle solutions for QA, and build pipeline details.
Acceptance criteria
• Fresh clone/build of the repo produces a playable executable with no missing assets or errors.
• Completing all rooms and puzzles triggers an end-game sequence.
• Saving, exiting, and loading restores player state accurately.
• Code passes a quick style review (no magic numbers, clear function names, logical folder structure).
Use whatever 2D-friendly engine you prefer—Godot, Unity (URP 2D), or GameMaker Studio are all fine—as long as the tooling is free for me to open, read, and compile. Please keep third-party assets either completely original or properly licensed for commercial release and include attributions where required.
Once the build runs flawlessly and the documentation is clear enough for me to replicate the process, the project will be considered complete.
Core requirements
• Pixel-art graphics that evoke classic 90s consoles, with palette consistency and parallax where appropriate.
• A side-scrolling camera with smooth player movement, jumping, crouching, and melee or ranged attacks.
• Enemy AI that patrols, chases, and damages the player on contact.
• Distinct rooms/levels stitched together seamlessly or via short transitions.
• Logic puzzles (switches, pattern matching, sequence solving, etc.) integrated naturally into the environment.
• Dynamic sound effects and looping background music that react to tension moments.
• HUD-based health system plus visible feedback when hit.
• Save/load checkpoints (at least one manual and one auto-save slot).
• Compact story conveyed through environmental cues and minimal text pop-ups.
Deliverables
1. Fully working source code, cleanly organized and commented.
2. All art, audio, and project files in clearly named folders.
3. One click (or simple command-line) build/run instructions for Windows PC.
4. A short README covering controls, puzzle solutions for QA, and build pipeline details.
Acceptance criteria
• Fresh clone/build of the repo produces a playable executable with no missing assets or errors.
• Completing all rooms and puzzles triggers an end-game sequence.
• Saving, exiting, and loading restores player state accurately.
• Code passes a quick style review (no magic numbers, clear function names, logical folder structure).
Use whatever 2D-friendly engine you prefer—Godot, Unity (URP 2D), or GameMaker Studio are all fine—as long as the tooling is free for me to open, read, and compile. Please keep third-party assets either completely original or properly licensed for commercial release and include attributions where required.
Once the build runs flawlessly and the documentation is clear enough for me to replicate the process, the project will be considered complete.
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