How to Play & Controls Guide
Welcome to Hexshroom, the hypnotic 6-sided psychedelic rhythm runner. Learn how to navigate the ancient geometric tunnels, master all active controls, collect glowing spores, and survive the subterranean rhythm.
The 6-Sided Hexagonal Geometry Mechanics
Unlike traditional 3-lane runners, Hexshroom places your mushroom runner inside a fully wrapped 6-sided hexagonal cylinder. With the pulse of the bass propelling you forward, you can vault onto any of the 6 tunnel planes at any moment:
Floor
Down
Lower Left
Down-Left
Upper Left
Up-Left
Ceiling
Up
Upper Right
Up-Right
Lower Right
Down-Right
Pro Runner Tip: Spatial Awareness
You do not need to cycle one lane at a time! Direct jumping allows you to jump directly from the Floor straight to the Ceiling or either upper wall with a single keypress or swipe.
Active Game Controls Controls
Hexshroom is built web-first for zero input lag across Desktop Keyboards, Mobile/Tablet Touchscreens, and USB/Bluetooth Gamepads. Below are all current and active controls in the game:
1. Desktop & Web Keyboard Controls
| Direction / Target | Primary Key | Numpad / Number Key | Arrow Key Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor | S | Num 2 / 2 | ↓ Down Arrow alone |
| Lower Left | A | Num 1 / 1 | ← Left Arrow alone |
| Upper Left | Q | Num 4 / 4 | ← Left + ↑ Up together |
| Ceiling | W | Num 5 / 5 | ↑ Up Arrow alone |
| Upper Right | E | Num 6 / 6 | → Right + ↑ Up together |
| Lower Right | D | Num 3 / 3 | → Right Arrow alone |
| Start / Jump / Confirm | Space or Enter | Numpad Enter | Select active menu item |
| Pause Game / Resume | Esc or P | — | Opens in-run pause menu |
2. Mobile & Tablet Touch Swipes
On phones and tablets, simply flick or drag your finger anywhere across the screen in the 6 radial directions:
↓ Swipe Down
Shifts down to the Floor.
↙ Swipe Down-Left
Shifts to Lower Left.
↖ Swipe Up-Left
Vaults up to Upper Left.
↑ Swipe Up
Inverts upward to the Ceiling.
↗ Swipe Up-Right
Vaults up to Upper Right.
↘ Swipe Down-Right
Shifts to Lower Right.
* You can tune Swipe Sensitivity (from 25% deliberate drag to 200% light flick) and toggle Invert Swipe inside the in-game Settings menu anytime.
3. Gamepad & Controller Support
Hexshroom automatically detects Xbox, PlayStation DualSense/DualShock, Nintendo Switch Pro, and standard Bluetooth controllers with zero drivers needed:
| Controller Input | Function |
|---|---|
| Left Analog Thumbstick | Tilt or flick in 6 radial directions to shift planes smoothly |
| D-Pad | Directional plane vaulting (Down, Up, Left, Right, Diagonals) |
| A Button / Cross (✕) | Confirm menu selection / restart after crash |
| B Button / Circle (○) | Back / cancel modal dialog |
| Start / Options Button | Instant pause and settings access during runs |
Power-Ups, Spores & Scoring Power-Ups
As you race through the neon tunnels, acoustic vibrations draw mystical power-ups onto the track:
Glowing Spores
Spore HarvestCollect glowing spores along the track! Spores increase your overall score and act as currency in the Spore Emporium to customize your character and biomes.
Mycelial Magnet
360° AttractionCreates a 360° gravity field that automatically pulls spores from all surrounding platform surfaces directly to your runner!
Fungal Fortune
2x MultiplierGlowing golden mushroom that grants a 2x Spore multiplier and doubles your score during runs!
Astral Amanita
Cosmic ShieldUnleashes radiant cosmic invulnerability, preventing you from falling off the platform edge into the void!
Extra Life Hearts
Restore LivesCollect emerald Life Hearts along the track to restore your energy and bank lives (up to 6/6 max lives)!
Deadly Dapperling
Fisheye VisionWatch out! The Deadly Dapperling temporarily distorts perspective with intense psychedelic fisheye vision!
Insidious Inkcap
Noir SpotlightPlunges the tunnel into high-contrast noir blackout, focusing an intense personal spotlight on your runner!
Shroomstep Rave
Audio-Reactive RaveSynchronizes the track into an audio-reactive rave with shifting platforms and extra spores!
Morphing Morel
Size ShiftDynamically morphs your runner into Tiny or Mega form, shifting hitbox physics, scale, and agility!
The Wall of Mist & Progression Endgame
Hexshroom offers two distinct play modes:
- Level Campaign: 20 handcrafted levels with increasing difficulty and speed. Each set to its own EDM track with progressive intensity.
- Endless Runner Mode: Infinite procedurally generated track that progressively accelerates to test your endurance, reflexes, and global leaderboard ranking.
Read the Complete Story
Curious about where the spores come from and what lies beyond the Wall of Mist? Explore the official backstory on our Lore of Hexshroom Page.