I took an old 2D platform codebase from Jazz Jackrabbit 2 (1998) and hacked it into a one-button runner. It is called Escape the Songs.

Auto run, single jump timing, rough sprites, loud synth beeps.

>> PLAY ESCAPE THE SONGS <<

Screenshot from my run:


If anyone clears it clean, post your best run timing.

This is straight timing pain. Ugly blocks, good pacing.

The music is crunchy in a good way. Intro is catchy, then it gets mean fast.

Confirmed playable in IE5 here. Hitboxes are evil but fair.

Those yellow bounce pads almost threw me into spikes every time.

I got 82% then clipped a spike tip. Loudest scream of my week.

Not joking, this might be the best bad-looking thing on this forum.

Difficulty feels right. The last quarter is brutal.

Patch notes: ver 1.1 added level 2, and then ver 1.2 added level 3. Also tightened one early spike hitbox and rebalanced a late pad jump.

Cleared before breakfast. 1 attempt? no. 34 attempts? yes.

Level 2 finally clicked for me after I stopped panic jumping.

That cube-to-ship switch in level 2 is mean in the best way.

Version 1.2 is harder but feels way better paced than 1.0.

I can confirm level 3 exists now. I crashed at 91% and yelled.

Best run 87%. Last red section is savage.

The wave mode in level 3 feels janky but somehow fair.

The new level select screen is simple, but it works great.

Played level 2 at lunch. Ship part nearly cooked me.

Music sync still slaps. Good update.

Can we get a practice mode? My thumbs are gone.

Level 3 wave tunnel reminds me of old impossible flash maps.

I beat level 1, fail level 2, repeat forever.

Runs smooth on my old tower somehow.

The red palette on level 3 is sick.

Level 2 ship gravity feels perfect now.

Love that level 3 is long instead of just harder.

My best is 94% on level 3. Pain.

Can confirm all three levels load fine in browser now.

I got my first clear. 53 attempts. Worth it.

v1.2 definitely cleaner than the early upload.

Challenge accepted. Going for full clear tonight.

The notes screen saying controls are one-button is helpful.

I still fear those ceiling spikes.

Thread should be pinned. This game rules.

Reached level 3 and instantly crashed. Good evening.

If anyone finds impossible spots in level 3, post the percent and I will patch it.

Can confirm: level 3 clear is possible, just super strict.

Playing this with speakers loud at night is terrifying.

Morning run update: beat level 2 twice, level 3 still no.

Thanks for testing. Current live build stays at ver 1.2 with all 3 levels.

This thread is the only reason I check the forum daily now.

41 comments later and this game still wins thread of the month.