Ember & Iron – Season 2 Update
Since the last post about Ember & Iron, the tiny arena RPG has picked up a meaningful new visual overhaul. Procedural biome backdrops now render behind the arena, a live canvas effects layer adds particle impacts when you attack or take damage, and the HUD has been redesigned with a modern glassy, high-contrast aesthetic using CSS variables and backdrop filters. Actor positioning now uses CSS custom properties and translate3d to prevent layout reflows during movement, and the whole thing responds to mobile touch targets and resizes smoothly.
New in this release:
- Procedural SVG backdrops that generate unique biomes each session
- Canvas particle effects for attacks, spells, and damage
- Lighting-aware sprite rendering with a bevel pass
- Glassy HUD with backdrop-filter and CSS custom properties
- Mobile touch-target sizing and responsive layout
- Expanded test suite covering sprites, geometry, and mobile layout
The game is on season 2 right now – wander the Whispering Woods region, manage your inventory (0/24), visit the shop, and check out the Regions panel. Your run still saves to this browser, so you can close the tab and come back later.
Play it here: https://gavin-chan.co.uk/rpg-arena/
See the full write-up: https://gavin-chan.co.uk/ember-iron-arena-rpg-waves-loot-and-a-boss-at-the-end-of-every-forest/