Endless Shaft is a vertical-descent arcade game built on a single tense premise - your character is falling down an endless shaft, and walls keep narrowing in.
You tap to nudge left or right, dodging spikes, narrow gaps, and the occasional shifting platform that decides whether you live or wipe. Simple, addictive, and brutally honest about your reflexes.
Unlike most platformers where you control a jumping character, here gravity is constant and unstoppable. Your only inputs are left and right - you can't slow down, you can't go back up, and you definitely can't pause mid-fall to think.
The mounting tension as the speed increases is what makes the game stick.
The shaft is procedurally generated, so no two runs are identical.
The hazard mix is balanced - early sections are forgiving with wide gaps, later sections demand precise corridor navigation, and certain depths introduce specific obstacles like rotating spikes or moving platforms that block specific lanes.
The scoring is tied to how deep you fall, with bonuses for collecting gems scattered through the shaft. Aggressive collecting often costs you depth (because reaching gems requires risky lateral moves); safe straight-down play often beats aggressive collection in pure score terms.
The trade-off is the strategic core.
The game runs in any modern browser via HTML5. No download, no install, no plugins. It plays well on Chromebooks, school PCs, library computers, and especially on phones - the simple two-button input is perfect for one-handed play during commutes.
Use the left and right arrow keys (or A and D) to nudge your character horizontally as you fall. On mobile, tap the left or right side of the screen to move that direction. Avoid spikes, narrow walls, and obstacles.
Collect optional gems for score bonuses. The game ends when you hit a wall or hazard.
Stay Centered When Possible - The middle of the shaft has the most reaction time for either direction; only commit to a side when the layout forces it.
Don't Chase Every Gem - One missed gem costs much less than one wall hit; only grab gems on your existing path.
Learn the Hazard Speeds - Some obstacles cycle predictably; staying alive means matching your moves to their rhythm rather than reacting after they appear.
Short Inputs Beat Holding - Quick taps to nudge are more controlled than holding direction; the character drifts farther than you expect on long inputs.
Don't Fight Speed Increases - When the shaft speeds up, your inputs need to anticipate rather than react; tighten your reaction window mentally.
