phaser

Start with the official phaserjs/template-vite-ts template, then structure the project with Boot, Preloader, Game, and GameOver scenes. Use a core/ directory containing an EventBus singleton, a GameState singleton with reset(), and a Constants file for all configuration values.

Arcade Physics is fast and lightweight, best for platformers, top-down games, and shooters with simple AABB or circle collisions. Matter.js supports polygon shapes, rotation, and constraints for realistic physics simulations. Never mix both engines in the same game.

Abstract input into an inputState object merging keyboard, touch, and pointer events so game logic is source-agnostic. Use capability detection via 'ontouchstart' in window, show visible touch controls, and keep interactive targets at least 44x44px.

Stale EventBus listeners and lingering timers survive scene restarts and cause double-firing or ghost behavior. Remove all EventBus listeners in each scene's shutdown() handler and call GameState.reset() to restore a clean slate before restarting.

Pack sprites into texture atlases instead of individual images, pool frequently created objects with Groups using maxSize, and only iterate active children in update loops. Reduce particle counts, prefer circle physics bodies, and consider a 30fps target.

Yes, use Phaser.GameObjects.Graphics for procedural visuals: gradient backgrounds, parallax layers from sine-wave hills, ambient particles, and vignette overlays. Add juice with squash-and-stretch tweens, screen shake, and eased animations, all constrained to a 3-5 color palette.