Ember Updraft

Cave flying game
1 player
Daily challenge
Phones and computers

Ember Updraft is a cave flying game that plays in the browser on phones, tablets and computers, for one player. It has a daily challenge, the same for everyone that day.

Hold to burn a paper lantern's flame and rise through a cave, let go to sink. Burning uses fuel, and the embers that refill it drift near the rock walls, so staying in the safe middle starves the flame. Touching rock ends the flight; longer flights unlock new lantern shapes.

Play Ember Updraft

How to play

Hold the mouse button or Space to burn the flame and rise. Let go to sinkOn a touch screen: Touch and hold to burn the flame and rise. Let go to sink
Burning uses fuel. Fly through embers to refill
Embers drift near the walls. The safe middle starves the flame

The game shows these steps as you play, the first time.

Ember Updraft gameplay — Ember Updraft in play

Controls

Hold mouse, touch or Space to burn and rise
Let go to sink
S changes the lantern

Tips

A full tank burns for about six seconds of holding, so rise in short bursts and let the lantern sink between them rather than holding to the roof.
An ember gives 0.28 fuel and 25 points, and they hang about a third of the way out from the middle; a centred flight runs dry in about 12 seconds.
Rock pillars jut from roof or floor every 380 to 640 px, taking up to 42 per cent of the gap, so keep fuel back for the next climb.

What is the difference between The flame went out and The lantern tore?

Both mean the lantern touched rock. If the fuel was empty at that moment the game says the flame went out, because with no fuel holding does nothing and the lantern can only sink. With fuel left it says the lantern tore. Either way the run ends there.

How do the other lantern shapes unlock?

By best distance. The Tall lantern opens at 600 m and the Star at 1,500 m, measured as one metre per 20 px of cave. Once a second shape is open, press S or tap the lantern line on the start card to change it; the shape is only a look.

About this game

Made by Sucia in Houston, Texas. Built with AI assistance, designed and tested by Sucia. Last updated October 4, 2026. It plays in the browser on phones, tablets and computers, with no download and no sign-in; your best scores and progress stay in this browser on this device. Without a pass, every game is free for 5 minutes a game and 30 minutes a day; an Arcade pass removes the limit. How Sucia makes and tests its games.

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