Spider Lily, an indie platformer from falsework, has quietly evolved into a compelling experience since its initial proof-of-concept appearance last year. Its unique premise—a skeleton guiding a blind fish through the afterlife—combines tender storytelling with inventive gameplay that instantly draws you in. Now that a full demo has appeared at PAX East 2026, it's clear why this game has been caught the attention of players eager for fresh, heartfelt platformers.
Image via falsework
The demo opens with a full tutorial stage introducing you to your delicate companion, a blind fish you must protect. Picking up the fish is effortless—a simple button press—but carrying it is a race against its oxygen meter. Outside water, the fish's oxygen drains quickly, so you'll need to sprint from pool to pool, constantly mindful of this fragile balance.
This mechanic shapes the flow of the level, creating natural pacing where you’re constantly moving toward the next safe haven of water. It keeps tension tight without feeling punishing, as every pool is a comforting checkpoint in this watery journey through the afterlife.
More than a fragile burden, the fish plays a vital role in progression. Placing it on statues acts as a trigger, activating weighted switches pivotal for solving environmental puzzles. Checkpoint pools also rely on your fish’s presence to save your progress, tying story and mechanics seamlessly together.
The demo also lets you pull out a small drum to make sounds that lure the fish through larger bodies of water. This allows for varied pacing—sometimes you carry the fish, other times you guide it remotely, which adds depth to the puzzle-solving as you navigate tricky terrain surrounding watery paths.
Creativity abounds as you encounter puzzles where you leap across rock platforms, retrieve the fish from a crow, or direct it through maze-like water passages. Each challenge feels distinct, preventing the gameplay from slipping into repetition and keeping every moment fresh.
Image via falsework
The experience isn’t without its flaws though. The demo suffered from inconsistent framerate, particularly in the opening moments, which detracted slightly from the otherwise polished gameplay. It's a technical snag that hopefully falsework irons out before release.
Visually, Spider Lily embraces a unique aesthetic born from the lead artist's vision. It’s not flashy graphics but atmospheric design that truly captivates, blending thematic elements that play beautifully into the world’s narrative.
The game’s fusion of the Buddhist cycle of rebirth and wastewater treatment plants results in a setting where ancient stone structures intertwine with utilitarian water pipes and basins. Progress is symbolized through the water itself, which begins as dark red sludge and gradually clears to pure blue water, visually signaling your journey through cleansing and renewal.
This evolving water palette tells a powerful story without a single word spoken, evoking emotion and reinforcing the player's purpose. Moving from murky depths to bright clarity gives a real sense of accomplishment beyond any traditional cutscene or dialogue.
Even if you’re not familiar with the Buddhist inspiration, you can feel the shift from burden to hope simply by watching this visual transformation unfold around you, making the world feel alive in a way few platformers manage.
Image via falsework
The main character, known as The Lost Soul, is a masterclass in minimalist design. This small skeleton’s expression—without eyes or mouth—remarkably conveys both sadness and curiosity, inviting empathy and connection in every moment you spend with it. This simple yet evocative design was instantly memorable to PAX attendees, with many clamoring for character stickers at the booth.
The passion of the falsework team shines through every aspect of Spider Lily. Their enthusiasm and dedication to fulfilling their vision was clearly evident in conversations at PAX, highlighting a tight-knit team focused on crafting something special.
The project has undergone significant changes since its early 2025 presentation. Developers confirmed the game has been rescoped and redesigned, though details remain sparse. What’s playable today feels more polished and focused, showing a distinct evolution in design philosophy and gameplay.
Alongside the main demo, the booth also featured a demake version produced by an intern using GB Studio. Although brief—only about two minutes long—this simpler rendition offers a glimpse into a creative, low-fi interpretation of the core mechanics, showing the team's willingness to experiment and engage players in multiple ways.
An admirable note: the developers confirmed that no AI tools were used in either the art or code for Spider Lily. In a market increasingly reliant on AI, this commitment to handcrafted creation adds to the project’s authenticity and the team's pride.
Image via falsework
Spider Lily is currently a small project from a six-person falsework team searching for a publisher, with a targeted release date in 2027. After seeing what the team has built so far, it’s evident this is a game worth following. Anyone intrigued by atmospheric platformers with heart and a touch of the surreal should definitely keep an eye on Spider Lily’s future developments and wishlist it to support its journey.