Introduction to Descent Protocol

Descent Protocol is an intense underground platformer that combines drilling mechanics with fast-paced action. As an extraction specialist, you must navigate through the planet's volatile layers, dodging hazards, collecting resources, and fighting your way to the green EXIT elevator at the bottom of each level.

The game features a unique descending level structure where you move progressively deeper into the planet's core, encountering increasingly dangerous environments filled with lava pits, hostile drones, and unstable debris. Whether you're speedrunning to the exit or methodically collecting every crystal, this guide will help you master the mechanics and survive your descent.

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Basic Controls

Descent Protocol features intuitive controls that work across all devices:

Desktop Controls

  • Arrow Keys / A & D: Move left and right
  • Spacebar: Jump (can double-jump in mid-air)
  • Movement: Hold direction to maintain speed

Mobile/Tablet Controls

  • Left/Right Touch Buttons: Move in the corresponding direction
  • Jump Button: Tap to jump, tap again in mid-air for double-jump

Pro Tip: Master the double-jump mechanic early! It's essential for crossing large gaps, avoiding falling debris, and reaching high platforms with collectibles.

Game Mechanics Explained

Movement and Momentum

Your character responds to physics-based movement:

  • Acceleration builds as you hold a direction, reaching maximum speed quickly
  • Momentum carries you briefly when changing directions
  • Jumping maintains horizontal velocity, allowing for long-distance leaps
  • Double-jumping provides a mid-air course correction

Movement Tip: Use short taps for precise positioning near ledges, and hold for maximum speed when crossing long platforms or running from hazards.

Platforms and Terrain

The underground environment features various platform types:

Standard Platforms (Brown):

  • Solid surfaces you can walk on and jump from
  • Form the basic structure of each level
  • Safe to stand on indefinitely

Conveyor Belts (Gray with Arrows):

  • Push you in the direction of the arrows
  • Can help you gain speed or hinder your movement
  • Useful for crossing gaps when used correctly
  • Can push you into hazards if you're not careful

Breakable Blocks (Cracked Appearance):

  • Shatter when you jump on them from above
  • Can be broken from below by jumping into them
  • Breaking blocks awards bonus points
  • May hide collectibles or provide shortcuts
  • Use strategically to open new paths

Vents and Boost Jumps

Yellow vent platforms provide powerful vertical boosts:

  • Landing on a vent launches you upward automatically
  • Reach high platforms and secret areas
  • Escape from tight situations quickly
  • Maintain horizontal control while being boosted
  • Can chain multiple vents for extreme mobility

Advanced Technique: You can control your horizontal movement while being launched by a vent, allowing you to aim your boost toward distant platforms or collectibles.

Falling Debris

The unstable environment creates constant danger from above:

  • Red rocks fall from the ceiling at random intervals
  • Debris follows a predictable downward trajectory
  • Getting hit deals damage and knocks you back
  • Watch for visual cues or shadows indicating falling objects
  • Some debris falls in response to your proximity (trigger zones)

Hazards and Enemies

Lava Pits

Perhaps the most dangerous hazard in Corefall:

⚠️ Critical Danger: Falling into lava results in instant death! The bright orange glow makes lava pits easy to spot, but their placement often creates challenging platforming sections. Always ensure you have a safe landing before jumping.

Hostile Drones

Automated security drones patrol the underground facility:

  • Float along preset horizontal paths
  • Deal damage on contact
  • Cannot be destroyed - must be avoided or jumped over
  • Pattern recognition is key to timing safe passages
  • Some drones move faster than others
  • Look for gaps in patrol patterns to slip through

Drone Avoidance Techniques:

  1. Observe the drone's movement pattern before approaching
  2. Time your approach for when the drone is moving away
  3. Jump over drones when they're at the far end of their patrol
  4. Use platforms above or below the drone's patrol path when possible

Collectibles and Resources

Energy Crystals

Blue glowing crystals are the primary collectible:

  • Value: +100 points each
  • Scattered throughout levels, often in challenging locations
  • Some require precise platforming or risk-taking to obtain
  • Collecting all crystals in a level awards bonus points
  • Not required to progress, but boost your score significantly

Risk vs. Reward: Not every crystal is worth the danger. Evaluate whether the points justify the risk, especially if you're low on health or facing multiple hazards.

Health Pickups

Red heart icons restore your vitality:

  • Restore health when collected
  • Strategically placed near dangerous sections
  • Spawn at fixed locations in each level
  • Prioritize these when your health is low
  • Sometimes hidden behind breakable blocks

Health and Lives System

Managing your health is crucial for survival:

Health Bar

  • Displayed in the top-left corner of the screen
  • You start each level with full health
  • Taking damage from enemies, debris, or hazards depletes health
  • When health reaches zero, you lose a life

Invincibility Frames

After taking damage, you gain brief invulnerability:

  • Your character flashes to indicate invincibility
  • Lasts approximately 1-2 seconds
  • Use this time to escape dangerous situations
  • Does NOT protect against lava - instant death hazards still apply

Strategic Use: When you take damage in a drone-heavy area, use your invincibility frames to push through rather than retreating. You can pass through multiple drones safely during this period.

Scoring System

Your performance is tracked through multiple scoring metrics:

  • Energy Crystals: +100 points each
  • Breaking Blocks: Bonus points per block destroyed
  • Time Bonus: Faster completion times may award additional points
  • Health Retention: Finishing with high health may provide bonuses
  • Reaching the Exit: Level completion bonus

Your score is displayed prominently throughout gameplay, and your best scores are saved locally for future reference.

Level Structure and Objective

Descending Design

Corefall features a vertical level design where you descend deeper with each stage:

  • Levels are structured vertically, requiring downward progression
  • Multiple paths often lead to the same destination
  • Upper routes may be safer but have fewer collectibles
  • Lower routes are riskier but often more rewarding

The EXIT Elevator

Your objective in each level is to reach the green EXIT elevator platform:

  • Located at the bottom of each level
  • Clearly marked with green coloring
  • Standing on the EXIT completes the level
  • Triggers the transition to the next, more challenging level

Exploration Tip: Before heading to the EXIT, explore the level thoroughly for hidden crystals and health pickups. Once you reach the exit, you can't go back!

Visual Feedback and Indicators

Corefall provides several visual cues to aid your navigation:

Color Coding

  • Orange/Red: Hazards (lava, enemy drones)
  • Brown: Safe platforms
  • Blue: Collectible crystals
  • Red Hearts: Health pickups
  • Green: EXIT elevator (goal)
  • Yellow: Vent boost platforms
  • Gray with Arrows: Conveyor belts

Particle Effects

  • Breaking blocks create debris particles
  • Collecting crystals produces a sparkle effect
  • Taking damage shows impact indicators
  • Vent platforms emit upward particle streams

Understanding Difficulty Progression

Early Levels

The first few levels introduce mechanics gradually:

  • Simpler platform layouts with fewer gaps
  • Minimal enemy presence
  • Ample health pickups
  • Generous spacing between hazards

Mid-Level Challenges

As you descend deeper, complexity increases:

  • Narrower platforms requiring precision
  • More frequent drone patrols
  • Complex conveyor belt puzzles
  • Increased falling debris
  • Lava pits with minimal safe zones

Deep Core Intensity

The deepest levels test all your skills:

  • Multiple simultaneous hazards
  • Precise timing requirements
  • Scarce health pickups
  • Complex multi-path navigation
  • Maximum difficulty platforming challenges

Common Beginner Mistakes

1. Rushing Into Unknown Areas

Moving too quickly without surveying ahead often leads to falling into lava or running into drones. Take a moment to observe the environment before advancing.

2. Ignoring Conveyor Belt Direction

Conveyors can help or hinder you. New players often forget to account for the push effect, leading to overshooting platforms or falling short of jumps.

3. Wasting the Double-Jump

Using your double-jump too early in a jump sequence leaves you with no recovery option. Save it for course corrections or emergency situations.

4. Greed for Crystals

Going for every crystal, especially when low on health, often results in death. Sometimes survival is more valuable than points.

5. Not Using Invincibility Frames

After taking damage, many players retreat unnecessarily. Use your brief invincibility to advance through dangerous sections.

Practice Strategies

Master Each Mechanic Individually

Focus on one skill at a time:

  • Practice double-jumping across gaps in early levels
  • Learn to time drone patterns without rushing
  • Experiment with conveyor belt momentum
  • Practice breaking blocks efficiently

Learn Level Layouts

Familiarity with level structure improves performance:

  • Replay levels to memorize crystal locations
  • Identify optimal paths through hazard-heavy sections
  • Note health pickup positions for emergency situations
  • Find safe spots to pause and plan your next move

Set Incremental Goals

  • First goal: Complete level 1
  • Next goal: Collect all crystals in level 1
  • Then: Complete level 2, and so on
  • Finally: Speedrun attempts and high score chasing

Next Steps

Now that you understand the core mechanics of Corefall, you're ready to dive deeper into advanced strategies and expert techniques. Check out our Tips & Strategies page for professional advice on optimizing your runs, mastering difficult sections, and achieving top scores.

Ready to begin your descent?

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