Squirrel Run

A festive little platformer built with Swift and SpriteKit.

Try it on the App Store

Squirrel Run is a Christmas-themed 2D platformer where you play as a squirrel in a Santa hat, running and jumping across snowy platforms, collecting acorns, dodging obstacles, and making your way to the tree at the end of each level.

Built from the ground up using Swift, SpriteKit, and Xcode, Squirrel Run was a passion project focused on creating a fun, polished, and satisfying gameplay experience.

The Experience

The concept is simple: run, jump, collect acorns, and reach the tree. But I wanted every part of that journey to feel just right.

I spent a lot of time fine-tuning the little details that make a platformer enjoyable. From the responsiveness of each jump to the timing of animations, the sound effects, and the gentle snowfall in the background, every element was designed to make the game feel lively and rewarding.

Features

• Classic 2D platforming — Run, jump, and navigate increasingly challenging obstacles.

• Acorn collecting — Gather acorns scattered throughout each level.

• Responsive controls — Carefully tuned movement and jumping mechanics.

• Festive atmosphere — Snowy scenery, falling snowflakes, and a playful Christmas theme.

• Custom animations and sound effects — Small details that bring the world and its characters to life.

• Level progression — Reach the tree to complete each stage and continue the adventure.

Built With

• Swift — Game logic and mechanics

• SpriteKit — 2D rendering, physics, animations, and gameplay

• Xcode — Development, testing, and debugging

The Little Details

My favorite part of building Squirrel Run was refining how everything feels.

A platformer can have simple mechanics, but making those mechanics feel natural takes a surprising amount of care. I wanted the squirrel's movements to feel responsive, the animations to feel playful, and the snowy environment to have a sense of life.

Squirrel Run was an opportunity to explore game development while bringing together programming, animation, sound, and visual design into one cohesive experience.

Run, jump, collect acorns, and enjoy the snow!