Moving Around
The controls are designed to be simple and accessible. I created them with physical limitations in mind, as I live with severe disabilities myself.
The 3 Keys to Moving Smoothly
Section titled “The 3 Keys to Moving Smoothly”1. Use short swipes
Section titled “1. Use short swipes”Use quick, short swipes rather than slow, sweeping gestures.
New players often instinctively make long, dragging motions across the screen. This is exhausting! Think of it like flicking through a feed on Instagram: use that same short, rapid flick in the direction you want to swim.
Once you get comfortable, the ideal swipe feels almost like a directional tap. This will save you stamina and prevent finger strain. As someone playing with painful, mostly paralyzed hands, I designed this input so anyone can play comfortably. If you are feeling fatigue, try shortening your gesture.
2. Don’t spam swipes
Section titled “2. Don’t spam swipes”Learn the natural rhythm of your propulsion. There is a brief cooldown between swimming strokes, so swiping frantically will not propel you any faster. Spamming strokes will only tire your hand and make precise navigation harder.
3. Keep your fingers away from the center
Section titled “3. Keep your fingers away from the center”It is best to swipe along the bottom edge of the display, ideally using your thumb.
You never need to touch the jellyfish directly. Doing so will block your line of sight and get you killed. Touch inputs are recognized anywhere on the screen, making the lower section the best spot to maintain maximum visibility.
Once you catch the rhythm, movement starts to feel fluid within a few minutes. If you ever feel your trajectory is jerky or uncontrollable, check your status effects below.
Altered Movement
Section titled “Altered Movement”Poison
Section titled “Poison”If you notice erratic movement accompanied by green particles, your jellyfish is poisoned. Contact with venomous wildlife or their toxic trails impairs your steering and accelerates light decay for a few seconds. You can cure this effect immediately by activating the Antidote ability.
Parasites
Section titled “Parasites”Parasites latching onto your body will slow you down and increase your collision size, while continuously siphoning your light. The more parasites you carry:
- The heavier and slower your movement becomes
- The faster your glow extinguishes
- The wider your profile gets, trapping you in tight cave crevices
You can dislodge attached parasites instantly by bumping into crystals or by activating the Antiparasite ability.