Juice that matters: hitstop, shake, particles, and audio
June 24, 2025 • 5–6 min read
Hitstop
Mini slow-mo on damage/phase breaks (40–60ms) makes impacts read without wrecking timing. It’s additive, not cinematic.
Screen shake
Low amplitude, high frequency, ≤120ms, capped so it never obscures hazards. Boss finishers get a slightly longer tail.
Particles & trails
FX are lightweight billboards pooled by type. They decay fast so clarity wins over spectacle.
Audio ducking
On hits, background drops ~6dB for 500ms to let cues breathe. Feels punchy without being louder.