The latest articles on DEV Community by xd p (@xd_p_0bf253a0b8e22847f792). https://dev.to/xd_p_0bf253a0b8e22847f792 https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F4149031%2Fd5358d71-db07-4bd0-a732-75de8143acd2.png https://dev.to/xd_p_0bf253a0b8e22847f792 en xd p Tue, 29 Sep 2026 08:18:07 +0000 https://dev.to/xd_p_0bf253a0b8e22847f792/i-built-a-browser-arrow-puzzle-game-with-randomized-runs-and-unlockable-abilities-5547 https://dev.to/xd_p_0bf253a0b8e22847f792/i-built-a-browser-arrow-puzzle-game-with-randomized-runs-and-unlockable-abilities-5547 <p>I’ve been working on a browser puzzle game called <strong>Arrow Game</strong>.</p> <p>You can play it here:<br><br> <a href="https://arrowgame.app/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://arrowgame.app/</a></p> <p>The basic rule is simple: each arrow can only leave the board in the direction it points. If another arrow blocks its path, you need to clear the blocking arrow first.</p> <p>That turns the board into a puzzle about finding the right removal order.</p> <h2> Why I built it </h2> <p>I wanted to make a puzzle game that you can open and start playing immediately.</p> <p>No download.<br><br> No account.<br><br> No long setup.</p> <p>I also wanted repeat runs to feel a little different instead of simply replaying the exact same sequence every time.</p> <h2> Adding progression beyond the basic puzzle </h2> <p>The game has a leaderboard that tracks how far you can progress.</p> <p>As you play, you can unlock different bows with abilities that change how later runs play.</p> <p>When you start a new run, the level order is reshuffled, so you don’t always encounter the same boards in the same sequence.</p> <h2> Building it for desktop and mobile </h2> <p>One of the things I spent quite a bit of time on was making dense arrow boards usable on both desktop and mobile.</p> <p>That meant paying attention to things like:</p> <ul> <li>keeping arrows readable as the board gets crowded</li> <li>making the controls comfortable on touch screens</li> <li>making the first few levels understandable without a long tutorial</li> <li>keeping the game quick to open and play in the browser</li> </ul> <h2> What I’m still improving </h2> <p>I’m still tuning the difficulty curve and the early-game experience.</p> <p>I’d especially be interested in feedback on:</p> <ul> <li>whether the rules are clear when you first start</li> <li>whether the difficulty increases at a reasonable pace</li> <li>whether the bow abilities make repeat runs more interesting</li> </ul> <p>If you’d like to try it:</p> <p><strong><a href="https://arrowgame.app/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://arrowgame.app/</a></strong></p> gamedev javascript webdev indiedev