Retrax WEB

RETRAX is a physics-driven 2D platformer built around momentum, a mechanical chain hook and objects that obey consistent rules.

You control a small rolling machine. Fire the hook, reel the chain in or out, build a swing and use the environment to find a way through each room.

The foundation of RETRAX is finished and stable: the engine, physics, saves and level editor are done. From now on, every update is about the game itself — new levels, bug fixes found in play and water balance.

This build contains the first three levels: SphereHappens, Blast from the Past and Unstoppable. More are on the way.

Download it, play it and tell me what you think. Every comment helps shape the levels that come next.

Physics you can learn

Wood, metal, glass and explosive crates do not behave in the same way. A hook may break one object, carry another or bounce away. Weight, speed and the angle of impact all matter.

A metal crate can become a tool. An explosive crate can start a chain reaction. Walls, glass and objects can break into physical pieces that remain in the room and may affect what happens next.

Support the game

RETRAX is pay what you want. You can download it for free — just enter $0. If you enjoy it and want to see more levels, a small tip (around $2) is a big motivation boost for a solo developer and helps me keep building.

Playing and leaving feedback is support too. Thank you either way!

Downloads and updates

Builds are published with butler, so the download button always points at the latest version. Each build is stamped with its release date (for example 17092026 = 17 September 2026) — that is the version number you will see next to the download and in every devlog.

Updates will be frequent while new levels are being built. If you install RETRAX through the itch.io app, it will update automatically and only download what changed (a few MB instead of the whole package). Downloading from the browser always gives you the full package.

The game is portable: unzip anywhere and run RETRAX.exe. Saves live in the userdata folder next to it, so replacing the files with a newer build keeps your progress. Windows 10/11 only; it needs the Microsoft Edge WebView2 runtime, which both systems already ship with.

Tools and resources

Water powers special actions such as the double jump and the long-range shot. Armour lets the machine survive more punishment, while additional hook arms expand your movement options. Later rooms also introduce Vigor and wings that can help you survive otherwise fatal situations.

These are not just collectibles. They are resources and tools that can change how you approach a room.

In the game

• Quick and long-range hook shots, reeling, swinging and mid-air control.
• A rigid arm: lift a crate on the hook and throw it.
• Physics puzzles based on momentum, weight and timing.
• Moving, falling and swinging platforms, pressure plates, doors, hatches and lifts.
• Wooden, metal, reinforced and explosive crates.
• Breakable walls, glass, explosions and persistent physical debris.
• Laser hazards, turrets, patrol machines and hunting drones.
• Water, armour, hook-arm, Vigor and wings pickups.
• Hidden memory cards, a text log of everything you have read, and an end-of-level summary.
• Checkpoints, three difficulty presets (water consumption) and persistent saves.
• Remappable keyboard controls.

Current state

The foundation took about six weeks: game engine, physics, save system, desktop shell and a full level editor. That part is now complete and stable.

All my time now goes into the game itself — designing puzzles, drawing environments and building new levels, plus fixing whatever bugs you find and tuning how much water things cost. There is no release date yet.

Feedback I need

If you play, I would especially like to know:

• Did you encounter a bug, get stuck or have to restart unexpectedly?
• Did you run out of water too often, or did you never have to think about it?
• Did any puzzle feel confusing for the wrong reason?
• Does movement with the hook feel clear and predictable?
• Did any object behave differently from what you expected?

You do not need to write a formal report. A short comment containing the level name and a description of what happened is enough.

If this sounds interesting, follow the page. I will post new builds and devlogs whenever a new level or fix is ready.

Controls

• A / D or arrow keys — move
• Space — jump; press again in the air for a water-powered double jump
• Mouse — aim
• Left mouse button — fire the hook
• Middle mouse button — toggle long-range mode (time slows down), then left click to fire
• W / S or up / down — reel the chain in or out
• Right mouse button or Q — release the oldest hook
• Hold Shift with a crate on the hook — lift it with the rigid arm; left click throws it, releasing Shift drops it
• R — restart from the last checkpoint
• G — memory card gallery  ·  Tab — text log  ·  Esc — menu

Keyboard controls can be remapped in the game.

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IMPORTANT: This is a portable Windows game. Extract the ZIP file before launching it, then run RETRAX.exe. Because the current build is not digitally signed, Windows may display an “Unknown publisher” warning.