swipi-module-top-down

name	swipi-module-top-down
description	Design rules, template API, and implementation guide for top_down-archetype games (top-down + free continuous motion — Zelda, Isaac, Vampire Survivors, twin-stick shooters). Invoke during Phase 2 for GDD drafting and Phase 5 as the reading-list index.

Top-down module

Authoritative sources:

• ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/docs/modules/top_down/design_rules.md
• ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/docs/modules/top_down/template_api.md
• ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/docs/modules/top_down/top_down.md

When to use

Top-down perspective with free 2D movement — no gravity, no snap-to-grid. The character can move up without jumping.

Examples: Zelda, The Binding of Isaac, Vampire Survivors, Metal Slug's top-down levels, twin-stick shooters, the Mandalorian demo.

Reading order

Phase 2: design_rules.md + template_api.md. Phase 5: template_api.md → targeted _Template* / Base* sources → top_down.md.

Template shape

• behaviors/ — chase, patrol, wander, shoot behaviors
• characters/ — BasePlayer, BaseEnemy, _Template* variants
• scenes/ — BaseGameScene, _TemplateLevel
• utils.ts — top-down-specific helpers

Common pitfalls

• Velocity normalisation — diagonal movement must be normalised to the base speed, or characters drift faster at 45°. utils.ts already ships normalizeVelocity() — use it.
• Camera bounds — set via this.cameras.main.setBounds(...) in _TemplateLevel. If bounds are not set, the camera drifts into empty tiles.
• Collision masks — top-down collision uses full body overlaps, not just foot boxes. Tile property schema differs from platformer; read design_rules.md.