A JavaFX maze game with customizable characters, interactive NPCs, and procedurally drawn graveyards. Players take the side of the undead, dodging police bullets and using power-ups to eliminate the force.
Tombstone Tussle is a JavaFX maze game where players freely explore the graveyard and customize their own role and map. Drawing inspiration from Halloween, the project flips the usual horror script: zombies take centre stage and human policemen are the threat. As the undead, you dodge police bullets, use power-ups, and approach each officer until every one of them is eliminated and the graveyard belongs to you.
Graphical character creation lets players paint and save their zombie before entering the maze. An automatic graphical maze creator initialises a 2D array of colour-coded cells and draws the labyrinth, with a dedicated GameAreaView window hosting maze, characters, and game elements. Interaction widgets, drag-and-drop, and a toggleable guidance overlay tie the whole surface together.
Four core interaction layers tie the game loop together — movement, feedback, enemies, and the elimination rules that decide who survives the night.
Players navigate their characters using W, A, S, D keys. Characters move within the maze based on user input.
Real-time feedback on character status by updating the player's position within the maze, handling character elimination, and displaying the number of lives (represented by heart icons). These feedback mechanisms convey character status and the progression of the game.
The code accommodates enemy movement, collisions, and elimination, enabling interactions between the player character and enemies.
Defined rules governing character and enemy elimination, ensuring that characters have a certain number of lives and can eat or eliminate enemies when in proximity.
Beyond the core loop, a handful of mechanics push the graveyard from a small student project toward a fully featured arcade game — strategy, suspense, and a signature win condition for the undead.
Integrates a dynamic bullet system where police enemies shoot visually represented bullets, challenging players to maneuver strategically to survive.
Conceals unexplored maze areas with a fog overlay, progressively lifting as the character navigates, adding mystery and suspense to gameplay.
Incorporates a life system with heart icons indicating remaining lives. Losing lives, often due to enemy bullets, introduces challenge and strategic considerations.
Enables players to strategically modify the maze by dragging and dropping temporary walls and traps, fostering critical thinking and planning.
Enhances player survivability with a space bar–activated shield, providing visual representation in the user interface and a tactical advantage against threats.
Introduces a unique mechanic allowing players to transform police enemies into zombies through close interaction. The players win the game as soon as all the policemen are transformed successfully.
