Straight Down is a puzzle-platformer built around an unconventional camera perspective - positioned 18 metres up and angled at 52 degrees, creating an overhead-skewed view rather than traditional side-scrolling or top-down angles. The constraint of this fixed vantage point shapes every design decision, from level layout to visual effects.
Recent development work has focused on weather systems, particularly rain mechanics tailored to the game's unique camera angle. The implementation includes per-material wetness tracking, shelter detection to keep protected areas dry, raymarched volumetric clouds, and colour grading that visually transforms the world during weather events. Each technical choice reflects the ongoing challenge of making atmospheric effects feel natural within the game's distinctive perspective.
via IndieDB Articles
Per-material wetness, a shelter map so eaves stay dry, raymarched volumetric clouds and a colour grade that drains the world. Every decision shaped by one constraint: an RTS camera 18 metres up, tilted 52 degrees.