MadWheelZ

MadWheelZ

Repository: https://codeberg.org/glitchapp/MadWheelZ

A clone of the puzzle game “Rush Hour” in lua for the löve framework.

Rush Hour is a 6x6 sliding block puzzle invented by Nob Yoshigahara in the 1970s. It was first sold in the United States in 1970s.

The game is set up for mobile screens in portrait mode.

For now there is only one level, I may add more in the future.

v0.2 adds:

- replaced primitives with assets

- Added a few levels (not all tested)

v0.3 adds:

- Improved grid visibility

- Added subtle shader

v0.4 adds:

- Improved and more sophisticated global illumination:

Cars now illuminate the scene when they are dragged and also when they stay.

The global illumination is achieved using normal maps and shaders, which is a very performant way of creating a relatively realistic illumination. Since performance is critical on mobile devices which lacks the horsepower of desktop, this method is very appropiate for mobiles.

This is the same illumination method used on the game "Spinny the runner".

v0.4.2-1 adds:

- Pull down menu

- About section

- Started select level menu and repeat level option (not fully working yet)

- Added 2 levels from the top 23 selected levels from https://www.michaelfogleman.com/rush/

I may add more in the future

v0.4.3-1 adds:

- Ambient sounds (you can toggle sounds now from the pull menu if they annoy you)

- Added 3 levels more from https://www.michaelfogleman.com/rush (there are 5 levels available in the game now)

v0.4.4-1 adds:

- Noise shader

- up to 8 levels

- Improved level selection preview

v0.4.5-1 adds:

- LoveGui (used on the options and about menu)

- Scrollable about with license and other info

- Options menu (triggered with the pull menu)

- The following options can be toggled: sound, shaders & day-night light cycle

v0.4.6-1 adds:

- Game can now be played in landscape mode

- In lansdcape mode the next level is rendered next to the current level (you see both at the same time).

Please be aware that the pull menu and the menus using the "guilove" do not work in landscape mode, you can still use and access the options in portrait mode as before.

v0.4.7-1 adds:

Pull menu works now in both orientations (portrait and landscape)

v0.4.8-1 adds:

- tweaked shader parameters and a new shader. The new shader is an evolution of the old one, enhancing realism with depth-based shadowing via a heightmap and more accurate light attenuation. It also uses normal maps to simulate detailed surface lighting, making metallic surfaces appear reflective by affecting how light is scattered, without explicitly simulating real metallic reflections or specular highlights.

v0.4.9-1 adds:

- New "speccy" shader which turn the graphics into a retro experience.

v0.5.1 - Final Update
This will be the last update unless any critical issues arise.

What's new in v0.5.1:

• Smooth Car Dragging Movement: For a more fluid and responsive experience.
• New Ambient Sounds & Weather Effects: Enhanced atmosphere with new sounds and dynamic weather effects.
• Top 23 Levels from Rush: All the selected levels from Rush are now included.

v0.5.2: Ported missing unpack library to newer lua so that guilöve works on last sailfish 5.0

Madwheelz v0.6 – Major Update!

After more than a year without updates, Madwheelz is back with a big upgrade:

• Fully rewritten rendering pipeline – the game is now in 3D, giving your traffic jams a fresh perspective!
• Flexible camera controls – move the camera to any angle using WASD + arrow keys.
• Improved pull menu – faster, smoother, and more intuitive.
• Cars remain sprites – now rendered seamlessly in 3D space, keeping gameplay familiar but visually upgraded.

Jump back in and see Madwheelz like never before!

v0.6.2 Update Notes

• New 360° Car Set: All cars now render in full 360°, giving a more dynamic and immersive perspective.
• 3D Engine Testing & Improvements: The 3D engine is being actively tested and polished. Gameplay works best if you keep camera movement minimal; excessive camera movement may cause misalignments since the engine is still in an early development phase.
• Option to Switch Back: If you prefer the classic 2D version, you can now switch back via the options menu. Three older builds are available, letting you choose your preferred mode or compare the new 3D engine with the classic experience.
• Consistent Gameplay: Levels and core gameplay remain identical across all versions, so you can enjoy the same challenges regardless of the mode.

v6.3 Update:
What began as a visually rich 2D lighting system — filled with dynamic lights, headlights, brake lights, ambient illumination, day and night cycles, and weather effects — was lost during the transition to 3D.

This update brings it all back, fully rebuilt for the new 3D engine.
With dynamic lighting once again illuminating both the cars and the world around them, the game now feels more alive, atmospheric, and immersive than ever before.

This project is open source under the GPL 2.0 license. If you'd like to contribute or continue development, feel free to fork it on Codeberg.

Thanks for playing, and enjoy!