Cohort 35 Games

In this single-player puzzle game, the player is tested by solving each level with a wide range of creativity to reach the top of the den. The game features a pixelated art style theme that makes our spider look adorable rather than viewing it as a fearful creature.

ArachNOT follows a spider with its defective web ability, where it cannot climb walls or use its own web to climb upwards. Instead, its web acts like a trampoline or a grappler depending on its use. This disability gets mocked at by other spiders at the den, which in turn, the spider decided enough was enough. This journey to the very top of the spider’s den is its one goal; despite the constant mocking from the others, the spider’s difference is what motivated it to climb up… or bounce up.

Across over 18 levels, the spider must maneuver through obstacles and avoid environmental hazards. Using the controller, the spider can shoot web nodes at sticky walls, creating a trampoline for the spider to bounce on. The spider can also create a web node against crates; the web pulls the crates closer to the wall or another crate. Obtaining the end crystals to reach the top of the spider’s den is the key goal of this game, leaving a message that despite anyone’s difference, anything is possible.

Full Team Credits

• Ryan Finnegan - Level Designer
• Bryan Tan - Programmer
• Kenny Lee - Programmer
• Ling Long - Artist

Trailer

Dark Phaser is a 2D platformer developed by students at SMU Guildhall Cohort 35. In Dark Phaser the player takes on the role of the Grim Reaper who uses his power to phase between the realm of the living and the dead in order to return recently departed souls.

In a foggy city where it always feels like it's midnight, the Reaper has a job that no one ever thanks him for. Every day is the same old thing: he has to collect the souls of people who've been working way too hard, especially game developers. These developers collapse at their desks after having to meet one too many deadlines. The Reaper isn't mean; he's just really tired. His real dream is to take a long vacation in the peaceful fields of heaven, but he can't rest until he's led enough souls to the other side.

And so the Reaper sets off to collect as many souls as he can, as fast as he can, and return them to their resting place, in order to meet his quota and finally obtain some much needed time off.

Full Team Credits:

• Level Design: Caleb Mills
• Level Design: Grace Yao
• Art Creation: En Bo
• Software Developer: Ahad Kamal

Trailer

Detective Folder is a platforming-puzzle game where you fold pieces of paper to move through levels, collect clues, and catch the elusive Baahd Guys! By using the unique folding mechanic you can alter parts of the level, moving both platforms and yourself to different areas in order to obtain various clues. Each level features unique challenges and a fun comic-style story built into each background.

Features:

• Folding: By activating fold lines, you are able to alter the position of platforms and move them to different parts of the level. Be careful with when you fold, because you could also get folded with it!
• Collecting Clues: As a detective, it’s your job to catch the evil Baahd Guys. Find clues across the various levels to foil their plans, then bring them to justice!
• Story: Each paper you fold holds a fun story for you to enjoy. As you progress through each level, more of the story is revealed!

Full Team Credits:

• Kiri Liu - Designer
• Young Gou - Designer
• Dylan Di - Artist
• Vera Tan - Artist
• Daniel Oake - Programmer

Trailer

FLING is a precision focused 2D platformer where a fox uses a fishing rod as a grappling hook to navigate a dangerous mystical cave. Every movement counts as you swing through the Crystal Deep, a glowing cave full of luminous magical objects.

At its core, FLING is about patient, accurate control. The fishing rod lets you pull yourself toward grapple points, snatch keys from a distance, and chain momentum across bubbles and creatures. Each room presents a unique layout that challenges you to read the environment, plan your next move, and execute cleanly. Blue glowing bubbles launch you upward and serve as grapple points, angler fish can boost you upwards, and crystalline doors open only when you retrieve their matching keys. The red grasping vines scattered throughout the cave punish every mistake, increasing the need for thoughtful and deliberate action.

FLING stands apart by combining precise grappling mechanics, reactive environmental interactions, and a strong mystical ambiance. The glowing mushrooms, vivid light sources, and animated hazards create a cave that feels alive and unpredictable. As you progress, rooms blend multiple mechanics together, pushing your reflexes and timing to the limit. Each successful chain of movements feels earned, satisfying, and stylish.

Key Features:

• Precise grappling and momentum-based movement
• Interactions with bubbles, angler fish, grapple surfaces, and key locked doors
• Rooms designed to teach, test, and evolve your movement skills
• A mystical glowing cave aesthetic supported by detailed art, sound, and VFX
• A steady difficulty curve built around mastery and experimentation

FLING offers challenge, discovery, and rewarding moments of fluid movement. If you enjoy platformers that reward accuracy and smart environmental use, this adventure will test your skills and keep you engaged from the first swing to the final escape.

Full Team Credits:

• Zixiao “Marshall” Ma- Level Designer
• Tianji Gao- Programmer
• Xindi Zhang- Artist
• Zachary Shewbart- Level Designer

Trailer

Illuminary is a 2D pixel-art Metroidvania platformer where you play as Lumi, a brave candle bringing light back to a desolate cave. Collect light fragments to restore hope to a world consumed by darkness. Explore interconnected rooms, light checkpoint candles, and discover which abilities unlock new paths in this atmospheric adventure.

Players traverse an interconnected world divided into three distinct sections: blue, orange, and purple. The game emphasizes precise platforming, environmental puzzle-solving, and ability-based progression. As players collect light fragments, they unlock three core abilities: double jump for enhanced vertical mobility, balloon float for controlled ascension past hazards, and crystal push for clearing crystalline obstacles blocking their path.

Features:

• Ability-Gated Exploration: Unlock three core abilities—double jump, balloon float, and crystal push—that fundamentally change how you navigate the world
• Fixed-Camera Design: Each room is a carefully composed scene inspired by classic platformers, creating deliberate spatial tension and readability
• Atmospheric Minimalism: Navigate a hauntingly beautiful cave with slow, eerie music and a mysterious tone that keeps you wondering what lies ahead
• Precise 2D platforming with tight, responsive controls
• Metroidvania progression system with interconnected world design
• Three unique traversal abilities that expand your movement options
• Atmospheric pixel art world with desolate yet charming aesthetic
• Instant-death hazards that test your platforming skills

Full Team Credits:

• Ian Fienberg - Level Designer
• Jianan Tang (Nyxis T.) – Artist
• Colby Sullivan – Programmer
• ShangLi Zhou - Programmer

Trailer

Play as Skidmark the robot, and slice through your makers in this 2D action platformer. The game isn’t just about escaping an evil laboratory, it’s a race against time and your own energy levels. You must jump, dash, and attack the scientists and guards in your path in order to recharge your battery. Pacifism here leads to death. Solve the lab's deadliest riddles by manipulating the environment. With a precise hit of a switch, you decide whether a laser gate is an impassable barrier or your next stepping stone. If you are a fan of 2D platformers and are tired of slow-paced exploration, Kill the Makers provides the adrenaline shot you need. It is the ultimate test of speed, precision, and aggression. 

Full Team Credits:

• Will Holcomb - Level Design
• Ruichi Li - Level Design
• Yang Shi - Programming
• Ziwei He - Art

Trailer

Nekomoto is a 2D action-platformer where you take the role of the ronin legend Musashi Nekomoto. The game features hand drawn visuals and a fast-paced combat loop. The game features a combat system requiring precise execution to cut down many enemies. 

Levels comprise of short action segments where the player must defeat all enemies in the level before being able to progress to the next one. Enemies patrol the surrounding area and attack the player when spotted, either shooting or hitting them depending on enemy type.
  
The player’s combat options primarily focus on their slash move and dash move. Slashing let’s you attack enemies at close range with a quick attack. It can be angled to aim at enemies at different positions. This attack also can deflect bullets, letting players who show mastery of the mechanic defeat enemies in a stylish and quicker way. 

The player also has a dash that allows them to better traverse each level, but also can be used to defeat enemies and avoid attacks. The dash a powerful ability, but using it carelessly can leave you in a precarious position. 

Full Team Credits:

• Eric Petsche - Level Design
• Isaac Hu - Level Design
• Yaning Wang - Art
• Daniel Villicana - Programming

Trailer

Out of the Dark is a top-down action-adventure game focused on challenging exploration and combat encounters as your sanity is on a time limit. Maintaining sanity is key to surviving in the dungeon as the dark will deteriorate your sanity while the scarcely found light sources will replenish it. Brace for the dark and conquer your fears as you explore from light to light, trying to find your way out of the dungeon’s maze.

Full Team Credits:

• Alyssa Mao - Art
• Sylvia Sun - Programming
• Caroline “Taro” Zhou - Level Design
• Andrew Willoughby - Level Design

Trailer

Petalnaut is an action-packed twin-stick shooter game, set in a sci-fi world on a distant planet. As the adorable yet deadly Petalnaut, you must collect the alien flowers scattered throughout this planet to provide oxygen for your habitat and make a home in the depths of space. However, these flowers are fiercely guarded by hordes of evil robots who will do anything to keep you from bringing them back to your home base.

Petalnaut provides a fast-paced action experience, wrapped in a cute package. If you’re a fan of dispatching robots and solving puzzles in order to claim your foothold in the vast reaches of space, pick up Petalnaut today!

Full Team Credits:

• Alyssa Burnett - Art
• Yinuo Ding - Art
• Jin Gong - Level Design
• Hanson Li - Level Design

Trailer