Project

Pump Down The Flame

A fast-paced vertical 2D action-platformer built in Unity for mobile, where a pressure-powered water hose drives combat, traversal, firefighting, and rescue.

Pump Down The Flame takes place inside a burning building on the verge of collapse. Players control a firefighter whose high-pressure hose is both a weapon and a movement tool: it can fight enemies, extinguish fires, clear obstacles, and propel the player upward while they search for and rescue trapped civilians. Originally prototyped in 2023, the game was rebuilt and expanded for mobile development in 2026.

My Work

• Implemented the player controller and physics-based movement system
• Developed the dynamic water-pressure mechanic that drives combat and traversal
• Built shooting systems with water-jet behavior that changes with pressure
• Implemented enemies, fire hazards, mission objectives, and destructible environmental interactions
• Developed civilian rescue systems, including physics-based launching and multi-hostage carrying
• Built level selection, progression, save systems, and mobile-focused menu navigation
• Implemented localization across menus and gameplay UI
• Developed character customization with interchangeable animated outfits, weapon appearances, and color selection
• Designed level layouts and created visual assets for the project

Gameplay Systems

The core gameplay revolves around a dynamic water-pressure system. Players can connect to water vents to increase pressure, making the jet stronger and wider, but also harder to control. This creates a risk-reward loop in which power and precision must be balanced according to the situation.

The hose also serves as the main traversal mechanic: firing downward propels the firefighter upward through the building. Movement, combat, and navigation are therefore connected through the same physics-driven system.

Environmental Interaction

The environment plays an active role in each level. Players can break through walls, windows, and obstacles to open new routes, extinguish fires, avoid hazards, and reach civilians. Rescue mechanics include launching civilians toward safe landing areas and carrying multiple hostages while navigating the level.

Destruction and firefighting are not isolated actions: they affect the routes available to the player and reinforce the pressure of climbing a dangerous, unstable building.

Progression and Customization

The expanded version includes level selection, persistent progression, localized menus, and a character customization system. Players can change the firefighter’s appearance using alternative animation sets, customize the weapon’s look, and select colors for different parts of the outfit and weapon.