I like puzzle games, I like indie games, and I do like to put the spotlight on solo devs. Ramy Dergham, founder of Dergham Games is the person behind Light Dude, a new indie puzzler where darkness may be your biggest enemy.

“The level hides when you move in this skill-based action game. Scan the level, then step into the dark. Dodge deadly threats, outmaneuver enemies, and defeat brutal bosses to reclaim the stolen sun. No map. No safety. Just your skill.”

Light Dude keeps things deceptively simple: get from one end of the level to the other. The catch? Every time you move, the lights snap off. You only see the layout when you’re standing perfectly still. And before you think you can cheese it by inching forward, stop, step, stop, step, you’re limited to a set number of illuminations per stage. That means observing carefully, memorising the terrain, and then trusting your reflexes when everything goes pitch black.

The darkness isn’t your only problem. Levels throw all sorts of hazards at you: crumbling platforms, spinning spikes, crushing walls, and mischievous enemies that only scuttle around when the lights are out, so you never quite know where they’ll be when you start moving again. Stages are short, but they lean into trial-and-error in a satisfying way. You’ll experiment with routes, refine your timing, and chase crystals to boost your score. Each level gives you a rank based on speed, and yes, I managed to snag a few S-ranks in the demo.

The full release, expected in Q2 this year (possibly 26th of June, Ramy’s birthday), promises even more chaos. Boss fights, a first-person mode, a level editor, and difficulty settings that shrink your vision radius if you’re feeling brave. Even the game’s origin story is brilliant:

Ramy Dergham: “This whole game was born from suffering… I was walking back from the bathroom in the dark, confident I knew the layout of my own room… until my bed frame reminded me I didn’t… My toe lost 99% of its HP, but at least I unlocked a new game idea!”

You can wishlist Light Dude and try the demo on Steam right now. It’s absolutely worth a go, I’ve had a blast with it today. Light Dude is shaping up to be one of those irresistible “one more try” games that frustrate you, have you pulling out your hair, hook you, and somehow convince you to dive straight back in. Keep your eye on this one, I think it’ll be worth the wait.