diff --git a/libs/map/map.c b/libs/map/map.c
index 74f1c80..518b89c 100644
--- a/libs/map/map.c
+++ b/libs/map/map.c
@@ -15,6 +15,9 @@ void map_init(Map *map) {
   }
   memset(map->light_map, 0, sizeof(map->light_map));
   memset(map->remembered, 0, sizeof(map->remembered));
+  memset(map->door_open_from, 255, sizeof(map->door_open_from));
+  memset(map->door_anim_timer, 0, sizeof(map->door_anim_timer));
+  memset(map->door_anim_target, 0, sizeof(map->door_anim_target));
   map->room_count = 0;
 }
 
@@ -22,7 +25,7 @@ int is_floor(const Map *map, int x, int y) {
   if (!in_bounds(x, y, MAP_WIDTH, MAP_HEIGHT))
     return 0;
   return map->tiles[y][x] == TILE_FLOOR || map->tiles[y][x] == TILE_STAIRS || map->tiles[y][x] == TILE_DOOR_OPEN ||
-         map->tiles[y][x] == TILE_DOOR_RUINED;
+         map->tiles[y][x] == TILE_DOOR_RUINED || map->tiles[y][x] == TILE_DOOR_CLOSED;
 }
 
 void get_room_center(Room *room, int *cx, int *cy) {
@@ -128,13 +131,59 @@ static int is_room_boundary(Map *map, int x, int y) {
   return 0;
 }
 
-// Place doors at corridor-room junctions
-// DISABLED: Door placement removed per user request
+// A corridor tile is a narrow floor passage with walls on at least 2 sides.
+static int is_corridor_tile(const Map *map, int x, int y) {
+  if (map->tiles[y][x] != TILE_FLOOR)
+    return 0;
+  int walls = 0;
+  if (y > 0 && map->tiles[y - 1][x] == TILE_WALL)
+    walls++;
+  if (y < MAP_HEIGHT - 1 && map->tiles[y + 1][x] == TILE_WALL)
+    walls++;
+  if (x > 0 && map->tiles[y][x - 1] == TILE_WALL)
+    walls++;
+  if (x < MAP_WIDTH - 1 && map->tiles[y][x + 1] == TILE_WALL)
+    walls++;
+  return walls >= 2;
+}
+
+static int tile_in_any_room(int x, int y, Room *rooms, int room_count) {
+  for (int i = 0; i < room_count; i++) {
+    if (x >= rooms[i].x && x < rooms[i].x + rooms[i].w && y >= rooms[i].y && y < rooms[i].y + rooms[i].h)
+      return 1;
+  }
+  return 0;
+}
+
+// Place doors at corridor-room junctions.
+// Doors sit on corridor tiles, not room tiles, so they occupy the actual doorway.
 static void place_doors(Map *map, Room *rooms, int room_count) {
-  (void)map;
-  (void)rooms;
-  (void)room_count;
-  // No-op: doors disabled
+  for (int y = 0; y < MAP_HEIGHT; y++) {
+    for (int x = 0; x < MAP_WIDTH; x++) {
+      if (map->tiles[y][x] != TILE_FLOOR)
+        continue;
+      if (!is_corridor_tile(map, x, y))
+        continue;
+      // Don't place doors inside rooms — corridors are between rooms
+      if (tile_in_any_room(x, y, rooms, room_count))
+        continue;
+      // Corridor must be adjacent to a room floor tile
+      const int dx[4] = {0, 0, 1, -1};
+      const int dy[4] = {1, -1, 0, 0};
+      for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
+        int nx = x + dx[i];
+        int ny = y + dy[i];
+        if (!in_bounds(nx, ny, MAP_WIDTH, MAP_HEIGHT))
+          continue;
+        if (map->tiles[ny][nx] != TILE_FLOOR)
+          continue;
+        if (tile_in_any_room(nx, ny, rooms, room_count)) {
+          map->tiles[y][x] = TILE_DOOR_CLOSED;
+          break;
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
 }
 
 // Connect all rooms with corridors
@@ -276,7 +325,8 @@ static int trace_line_of_sight(const Map *map, int x1, int y1, int x2, int y2) {
     if (x == x2 && y == y2)
       return 1;
 
-    if (map->tiles[y][x] == TILE_WALL && !(x == x1 && y == y1))
+    TileType t = map->tiles[y][x];
+    if ((t == TILE_WALL || t == TILE_DOOR_CLOSED) && !(x == x1 && y == y1))
       return 0;
 
     int e2 = 2 * err;
@@ -421,7 +471,17 @@ void compute_lighting(Map *map, const LightSource *sources, int num_sources) {
 
   for (int ty = 0; ty < MAP_HEIGHT; ty++) {
     for (int tx = 0; tx < MAP_WIDTH; tx++) {
-      if (tile_brightness(map, tx, ty) > LIGHT_SIGHT_THRESHOLD)
+      int max_bright = 0;
+      int bx = tx * SUB_TILE_RES;
+      int by = ty * SUB_TILE_RES;
+      for (int dy = 0; dy < SUB_TILE_RES; dy++) {
+        for (int dx = 0; dx < SUB_TILE_RES; dx++) {
+          int v = map->light_map[by + dy][bx + dx];
+          if (v > max_bright)
+            max_bright = v;
+        }
+      }
+      if (max_bright > LIGHT_SIGHT_THRESHOLD)
         map->remembered[ty][tx] = 1;
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/common.h b/src/common.h
index 2db9859..8df2f72 100644
--- a/src/common.h
+++ b/src/common.h
@@ -43,6 +43,9 @@ typedef struct {
   int room_count;
   unsigned char light_map[MAP_HEIGHT * SUB_TILE_RES][MAP_WIDTH * SUB_TILE_RES];
   unsigned char remembered[MAP_HEIGHT][MAP_WIDTH];
+  unsigned char door_open_from[MAP_HEIGHT][MAP_WIDTH];  // 0=N,1=S,2=E,3=W,255=closed
+  unsigned char door_anim_timer[MAP_HEIGHT][MAP_WIDTH];
+  unsigned char door_anim_target[MAP_HEIGHT][MAP_WIDTH];  // 0=closed, 1=open
 } Map;
 
 // Dungeon
diff --git a/src/main.c b/src/main.c
index 83007cd..1b8383c 100644
--- a/src/main.c
+++ b/src/main.c
@@ -231,6 +231,19 @@ static void post_action(GameState *gs, Enemy *attacked_enemy) {
     }
   }
 
+  // Close doors that the player moved away from before recomputing lighting.
+  for (int dy = 0; dy < MAP_HEIGHT; dy++) {
+    for (int dx = 0; dx < MAP_WIDTH; dx++) {
+      if (gs->map.tiles[dy][dx] == TILE_DOOR_OPEN) {
+        if (gs->player.position.x != dx || gs->player.position.y != dy) {
+          gs->map.tiles[dy][dx] = TILE_DOOR_CLOSED;
+          gs->map.door_anim_target[dy][dx] = 0;
+          gs->map.door_anim_timer[dy][dx] = DOOR_ANIM_FRAMES;
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
   // Update visibility based on player's new position
   LightSource p_light = {gs->player.position.x, gs->player.position.y, PLAYER_LIGHT_INTENSITY, PLAYER_LIGHT_RANGE};
   LightSource srcs[1 + 32];
@@ -277,6 +290,18 @@ static int handle_stun_turn(GameState *gs) {
   if (gs->game_over)
     return 1;
   enemy_update_all(gs->enemies, gs->enemy_count, &gs->player, &gs->map);
+  // Close doors that the player moved away from before recomputing lighting.
+  for (int dy = 0; dy < MAP_HEIGHT; dy++) {
+    for (int dx = 0; dx < MAP_WIDTH; dx++) {
+      if (gs->map.tiles[dy][dx] == TILE_DOOR_OPEN) {
+        if (gs->player.position.x != dx || gs->player.position.y != dy) {
+          gs->map.tiles[dy][dx] = TILE_DOOR_CLOSED;
+          gs->map.door_anim_target[dy][dx] = 0;
+          gs->map.door_anim_timer[dy][dx] = DOOR_ANIM_FRAMES;
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
   {
     LightSource l = {gs->player.position.x, gs->player.position.y, PLAYER_LIGHT_INTENSITY, PLAYER_LIGHT_RANGE};
     LightSource s[1 + 32];
@@ -639,6 +664,17 @@ static void game_loop(unsigned int run_seed, FontManager *fm) {
     if (gs.slash_timer > 0)
       gs.slash_timer--;
 
+    // Door animations are visual, so they tick every rendered frame.
+    for (int y = 0; y < MAP_HEIGHT; y++) {
+      for (int x = 0; x < MAP_WIDTH; x++) {
+        if (gs.map.door_anim_timer[y][x] > 0) {
+          gs.map.door_anim_timer[y][x]--;
+          if (gs.map.door_anim_timer[y][x] == 0 && gs.map.door_anim_target[y][x] == 0)
+            gs.map.door_open_from[y][x] = 255;
+        }
+      }
+    }
+
     // Update player animation
     if (gs.player.anim_timer > 0) {
       gs.player.anim_timer--;
@@ -787,4 +823,4 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
   audio_close();
 
   return 0;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/src/movement.c b/src/movement.c
index 89e74e1..23afd5c 100644
--- a/src/movement.c
+++ b/src/movement.c
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "movement.h"
 #include "enemy.h"
 #include "map/map.h"
+#include "map/utils.h"
 #include <stdbool.h>
 
 // Check if position is occupied by player
@@ -8,11 +9,33 @@ static int is_player_at(Player *p, int x, int y) {
   return (p->position.x == x && p->position.y == y);
 }
 
+static int direction_to_door_open_from(Vec2 dir) {
+  if (dir.y == -1)
+    return 0;  // N
+  if (dir.y == 1)
+    return 1;  // S
+  if (dir.x == 1)
+    return 2;  // E
+  if (dir.x == -1)
+    return 3;  // W
+  return 255;
+}
+
 MoveResult try_move_entity(Vec2 *p, Vec2 direction, Map *map, Player *player, Enemy *enemies, int enemy_count,
                            bool moving_is_player) {
   int new_x = p->x + direction.x;
   int new_y = p->y + direction.y;
 
+  if (!in_bounds(new_x, new_y, MAP_WIDTH, MAP_HEIGHT))
+    return MOVE_RESULT_BLOCKED_WALL;
+
+  if (map->tiles[new_y][new_x] == TILE_DOOR_CLOSED) {
+    map->tiles[new_y][new_x] = TILE_DOOR_OPEN;
+    map->door_open_from[new_y][new_x] = direction_to_door_open_from(direction);
+    map->door_anim_target[new_y][new_x] = 1;
+    map->door_anim_timer[new_y][new_x] = DOOR_ANIM_FRAMES;
+  }
+
   if (!is_floor(map, new_x, new_y))
     return MOVE_RESULT_BLOCKED_WALL;
 
diff --git a/src/render.c b/src/render.c
index f18254b..c88584e 100644
--- a/src/render.c
+++ b/src/render.c
@@ -66,6 +66,43 @@ static void draw_text_body(Font f, const char *text, float x, float y, int size,
   DrawTextEx(f, text, (Vector2){x, y}, (float)size, spacing, c);
 }
 
+static int is_deep_corridor(const Map *map, int x, int y) {
+  if (map->tiles[y][x] != TILE_FLOOR)
+    return 0;
+  int walls_ns = (y > 0 && map->tiles[y - 1][x] == TILE_WALL ? 1 : 0) +
+                 (y < MAP_HEIGHT - 1 && map->tiles[y + 1][x] == TILE_WALL ? 1 : 0);
+  int walls_ew = (x > 0 && map->tiles[y][x - 1] == TILE_WALL ? 1 : 0) +
+                 (x < MAP_WIDTH - 1 && map->tiles[y][x + 1] == TILE_WALL ? 1 : 0);
+  int is_corridor = (walls_ns >= 2 && walls_ew == 0) || (walls_ew >= 2 && walls_ns == 0);
+  if (!is_corridor)
+    return 0;
+  // A "deep" corridor is surrounded by corridor on all floor sides.
+  // If any floor neighbor is NOT a corridor, this is an entrance/exit.
+  const int dx4[4] = {0, 0, 1, -1};
+  const int dy4[4] = {1, -1, 0, 0};
+  for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
+    int nx = x + dx4[i];
+    int ny = y + dy4[i];
+    if (nx < 0 || nx >= MAP_WIDTH || ny < 0 || ny >= MAP_HEIGHT)
+      continue;
+    if (map->tiles[ny][nx] != TILE_FLOOR)
+      continue;
+    int nw_ns = (ny > 0 && map->tiles[ny - 1][nx] == TILE_WALL ? 1 : 0) +
+                (ny < MAP_HEIGHT - 1 && map->tiles[ny + 1][nx] == TILE_WALL ? 1 : 0);
+    int nw_ew = (nx > 0 && map->tiles[ny][nx - 1] == TILE_WALL ? 1 : 0) +
+                (nx < MAP_WIDTH - 1 && map->tiles[ny][nx + 1] == TILE_WALL ? 1 : 0);
+    int neighbor_is_corridor = (nw_ns >= 2 && nw_ew == 0) || (nw_ew >= 2 && nw_ns == 0);
+    if (!neighbor_is_corridor)
+      return 0;
+  }
+  return 1;
+}
+
+static Color color_lerp(Color a, Color b, float t) {
+  return (Color){(unsigned char)(a.r + (int)((b.r - a.r) * t)), (unsigned char)(a.g + (int)((b.g - a.g) * t)),
+                 (unsigned char)(a.b + (int)((b.b - a.b) * t)), (unsigned char)(a.a + (int)((b.a - a.a) * t))};
+}
+
 void render_map(const Map *map, const Tileset *tileset) {
   for (int y = 0; y < MAP_HEIGHT; y++) {
     for (int x = 0; x < MAP_WIDTH; x++) {
@@ -78,6 +115,11 @@ void render_map(const Map *map, const Tileset *tileset) {
         continue;
       }
 
+      float base_light = brightness > 0 ? AMBIENT_LIGHT_FACTOR : REMEMBERED_LIGHT_FACTOR;
+      float light_factor = base_light + (1.0f - base_light) * powf((float)brightness / 255.0f, LIGHT_EXPONENT);
+      if (is_deep_corridor(map, x, y))
+        light_factor *= 0.82f;
+
       int tile_id = -1;
       switch (map->tiles[y][x]) {
       case TILE_WALL:
@@ -100,94 +142,175 @@ void render_map(const Map *map, const Tileset *tileset) {
         break;
       }
 
-      if (tile_id >= 0 && tileset != NULL && tileset->finalized) {
-        Rectangle src = tileset_get_region(tileset, tile_id);
-        if (src.width > 0) {
-          Color tint;
-          if (brightness > 0) {
-            float lit = (float)brightness / 255.0f;
-            tint = (Color){(unsigned char)(128 + (int)(127.0f * lit)), (unsigned char)(128 + (int)(127.0f * lit)),
-                           (unsigned char)(128 + (int)(127.0f * lit)), 255};
-          } else {
-            tint = (Color){128, 128, 128, 255};
-          }
-          DrawTexturePro(tileset->atlas, src, dst, (Vector2){0, 0}, 0.0f, tint);
-          continue;
+      int is_door = (map->tiles[y][x] == TILE_DOOR_CLOSED || map->tiles[y][x] == TILE_DOOR_OPEN);
+      int tile_drawn = 0;
+
+      // Draw floor underneath doors using tileset if available, so the
+      // floor matches adjacent tiles
+      if (is_door && tileset != NULL && tileset->finalized) {
+        int floor_id = TILE_FLOOR_0 + ((x * 7 + y * 13) % 4);
+        Rectangle floor_src = tileset_get_region(tileset, floor_id);
+        if (floor_src.width > 0) {
+          int fv = (int)(255.0f * light_factor);
+          if (fv > 255)
+            fv = 255;
+          Color ftint = (Color){(unsigned char)fv, (unsigned char)fv, (unsigned char)fv, 255};
+          DrawTexturePro(tileset->atlas, floor_src, dst, (Vector2){0, 0}, 0.0f, ftint);
+          tile_drawn = 1;
         }
       }
 
-      Color wall_color = brightness > 0 ? DARKGRAY : (Color){25, 25, 30, 255};
-      Color floor_color = brightness > 0 ? BLACK : (Color){15, 15, 20, 255};
-      Color stairs_color = brightness > 0 ? (Color){180, 160, 100, 255} : (Color){60, 55, 50, 255};
-      Color door_color = brightness > 0 ? (Color){139, 119, 89, 255} : (Color){60, 55, 50, 255};
+      if (tile_id >= 0 && tileset != NULL && tileset->finalized && !is_door) {
+        Rectangle src = tileset_get_region(tileset, tile_id);
+        if (src.width > 0) {
+          int is_opaque = (map->tiles[y][x] == TILE_WALL);
+          float wall_dim = is_opaque ? (AMBIENT_LIGHT_FACTOR + 0.92f * light_factor) : light_factor;
+          int tv = (int)(255.0f * wall_dim);
+          if (tv > 255)
+            tv = 255;
+          Color tint = (Color){(unsigned char)tv, (unsigned char)tv, (unsigned char)tv, 255};
+          DrawTexturePro(tileset->atlas, src, dst, (Vector2){0, 0}, 0.0f, tint);
+          tile_drawn = 1;
+        }
+      }
 
-      switch (map->tiles[y][x]) {
-      case TILE_WALL:
-        DrawRectangleRec(dst, wall_color);
-        break;
-      case TILE_FLOOR:
-        DrawRectangleRec(dst, floor_color);
-        // Torch flicker: warm tint on floor tiles adjacent to stairs
-        {
-          int is_adjacent_to_stairs = 0;
-          for (int dy = -1; dy <= 1 && !is_adjacent_to_stairs; dy++) {
-            for (int dx = -1; dx <= 1 && !is_adjacent_to_stairs; dx++) {
-              int nx = x + dx;
-              int ny = y + dy;
-              if (in_bounds(nx, ny, MAP_WIDTH, MAP_HEIGHT) && map->tiles[ny][nx] == TILE_STAIRS) {
-                is_adjacent_to_stairs = 1;
+      if (!tile_drawn || is_door) {
+        Color wall_color = color_lerp((Color){42, 42, 52, 255}, DARKGRAY, light_factor);
+        Color floor_color = color_lerp((Color){32, 32, 42, 255}, BLACK, light_factor);
+        Color stairs_color = color_lerp((Color){85, 80, 70, 255}, (Color){180, 160, 100, 255}, light_factor);
+        Color door_color = color_lerp((Color){38, 34, 30, 255}, (Color){120, 92, 58, 255}, light_factor);
+        Color door_handle_color = color_lerp((Color){42, 38, 32, 255}, (Color){145, 122, 82, 255}, light_factor);
+
+        switch (map->tiles[y][x]) {
+        case TILE_WALL:
+          DrawRectangleRec(dst, wall_color);
+          break;
+        case TILE_FLOOR:
+          DrawRectangleRec(dst, floor_color);
+          // Torch flicker: warm tint on floor tiles adjacent to stairs
+          {
+            int is_adjacent_to_stairs = 0;
+            for (int dy = -1; dy <= 1 && !is_adjacent_to_stairs; dy++) {
+              for (int dx = -1; dx <= 1 && !is_adjacent_to_stairs; dx++) {
+                int nx = x + dx;
+                int ny = y + dy;
+                if (in_bounds(nx, ny, MAP_WIDTH, MAP_HEIGHT) && map->tiles[ny][nx] == TILE_STAIRS) {
+                  is_adjacent_to_stairs = 1;
+                }
               }
             }
+            if (is_adjacent_to_stairs && light_factor > 0.05f) {
+              int flicker = (int)(sinf(GetTime() * 5.0f) * 15.0f);
+              DrawRectangleRec(dst, (Color){40 + flicker, 25, 10, 60});
+            }
           }
-          if (is_adjacent_to_stairs && brightness > 0) {
-            int flicker = (int)(sinf(GetTime() * 5.0f) * 15.0f);
-            DrawRectangleRec(dst, (Color){40 + flicker, 25, 10, 60});
+          // Grid lines
+          if (DRAW_GRID_LINES && light_factor > 0.05f) {
+            DrawRectangleLines((int)dst.x, (int)dst.y, (int)dst.width, (int)dst.height, (Color){20, 20, 20, 80});
           }
+          break;
+        case TILE_STAIRS:
+          DrawRectangleRec(dst, stairs_color);
+          // Make stairs very visible with bright symbol and bounce
+          {
+            int bounce = (int)(sinf(GetTime() * 3.0f) * 1.5f);
+            if (light_factor > 0.05f)
+              DrawText(">", x * TILE_SIZE + 4, y * TILE_SIZE + 1 + bounce, NORM_FONT + 2, (Color){255, 255, 200, 255});
+            else
+              DrawText(">", x * TILE_SIZE + 4, y * TILE_SIZE + 1 + bounce, NORM_FONT + 2, (Color){100, 90, 70, 255});
+          }
+          break;
+        case TILE_DOOR_CLOSED:
+        case TILE_DOOR_OPEN: {
+          // Determine door orientation by adjacent walls
+          int wall_n = (y > 0 && map->tiles[y - 1][x] == TILE_WALL);
+          int wall_s = (y < MAP_HEIGHT - 1 && map->tiles[y + 1][x] == TILE_WALL);
+          int wall_e = (x < MAP_WIDTH - 1 && map->tiles[y][x + 1] == TILE_WALL);
+          int wall_w = (x > 0 && map->tiles[y][x - 1] == TILE_WALL);
+          int is_vertical = (wall_n && wall_s) || (!(wall_e && wall_w) && (wall_e || wall_w));
+
+          // Animation progress: 0=fully closed, 1=fully open
+          float t = 0.0f;
+          if (map->door_anim_timer[y][x] > 0) {
+            float progress = 1.0f - (float)map->door_anim_timer[y][x] / DOOR_ANIM_FRAMES;
+            t = map->door_anim_target[y][x] ? progress : (1.0f - progress);
+          } else {
+            t = (map->tiles[y][x] == TILE_DOOR_OPEN) ? 1.0f : 0.0f;
+          }
+
+          if (!tile_drawn)
+            DrawRectangleRec(dst, floor_color);
+
+          if (is_vertical) {
+            // Vertical door: swings left/right toward approaching wall
+            int open_dir = map->door_open_from[y][x];
+            int swing_to_left = 0;
+            if (open_dir == 2)
+              swing_to_left = 1;  // approached from E, swing W (left)
+            else if (open_dir == 3)
+              swing_to_left = 0;  // approached from W, swing E (right)
+            else
+              swing_to_left = (x % 2 == 0);  // deterministic fallback
+
+            int closed_x = x * TILE_SIZE + 7;  // center
+            int open_x = swing_to_left ? x * TILE_SIZE + 1 : x * TILE_SIZE + 13;
+            int px = (int)(closed_x + (open_x - closed_x) * t);
+            int alpha = (int)(255 * (1.0f - t * 0.45f));
+            int width = (int)(2 + (1 - t));  // 2px closed, 1px open
+            Color panel_color = door_color;
+            panel_color.a = alpha;
+            DrawRectangle(px, y * TILE_SIZE + 1, width, TILE_SIZE - 2, panel_color);
+            if (t < 0.5f && light_factor > 0.05f) {
+              int hx = px + (swing_to_left ? -1 : width + 1);
+              Color handle_color = door_handle_color;
+              handle_color.a = alpha;
+              DrawRectangle(hx, y * TILE_SIZE + 6, 1, 2, handle_color);
+            }
+          } else {
+            // Horizontal door: swings up/down toward approaching wall
+            int open_dir = map->door_open_from[y][x];
+            int swing_up = 0;
+            if (open_dir == 0)
+              swing_up = 1;  // approached from N, swing S (down)
+            else if (open_dir == 1)
+              swing_up = 0;  // approached from S, swing N (up)
+            else
+              swing_up = (y % 2 == 0);  // deterministic fallback
+
+            int closed_y = y * TILE_SIZE + 7;  // center
+            int open_y = swing_up ? y * TILE_SIZE + 1 : y * TILE_SIZE + 13;
+            int py = (int)(closed_y + (open_y - closed_y) * t);
+            int alpha = (int)(255 * (1.0f - t * 0.45f));
+            int height = (int)(2 + (1 - t));  // 2px closed, 1px open
+            Color panel_color = door_color;
+            panel_color.a = alpha;
+            DrawRectangle(x * TILE_SIZE + 1, py, TILE_SIZE - 2, height, panel_color);
+            if (t < 0.5f && light_factor > 0.05f) {
+              int hy = py + (swing_up ? -1 : height + 1);
+              Color handle_color = door_handle_color;
+              handle_color.a = alpha;
+              DrawRectangle(x * TILE_SIZE + 6, hy, 2, 1, handle_color);
+            }
+          }
+          break;
         }
-        // Grid lines
-        if (DRAW_GRID_LINES && brightness > 0) {
-          DrawRectangleLines((int)dst.x, (int)dst.y, (int)dst.width, (int)dst.height, (Color){20, 20, 20, 80});
+        case TILE_DOOR_RUINED:
+          DrawRectangleRec(dst, (Color){60, 45, 30, 255});
+          if (light_factor > 0.05f) {
+            DrawRectangle(x * TILE_SIZE + 1, y * TILE_SIZE + 1, TILE_SIZE - 2, TILE_SIZE - 2, (Color){80, 60, 40, 200});
+            DrawLine(x * TILE_SIZE + 2, y * TILE_SIZE + 2, x * TILE_SIZE + TILE_SIZE - 2, y * TILE_SIZE + TILE_SIZE - 2,
+                     (Color){120, 90, 60, 255});
+            DrawLine(x * TILE_SIZE + TILE_SIZE - 2, y * TILE_SIZE + 2, x * TILE_SIZE + 2, y * TILE_SIZE + TILE_SIZE - 2,
+                     (Color){120, 90, 60, 255});
+          }
+          break;
         }
-        break;
-      case TILE_STAIRS:
-        DrawRectangleRec(dst, stairs_color);
-        // Make stairs very visible with bright symbol and bounce
-        {
-          int bounce = (int)(sinf(GetTime() * 3.0f) * 1.5f);
-          if (brightness > 0)
-            DrawText(">", x * TILE_SIZE + 4, y * TILE_SIZE + 1 + bounce, NORM_FONT + 2, (Color){255, 255, 200, 255});
-          else
-            DrawText(">", x * TILE_SIZE + 4, y * TILE_SIZE + 1 + bounce, NORM_FONT + 2, (Color){100, 90, 70, 255});
-        }
-        break;
-      case TILE_DOOR_CLOSED:
-        DrawRectangleRec(dst, door_color);
-        if (brightness > 0) {
-          DrawRectangle(x * TILE_SIZE + 2, y * TILE_SIZE + 2, TILE_SIZE - 4, TILE_SIZE - 4, (Color){100, 80, 60, 255});
-          DrawRectangleLines(x * TILE_SIZE + 2, y * TILE_SIZE + 2, TILE_SIZE - 4, TILE_SIZE - 4,
-                             (Color){60, 50, 40, 255});
-          DrawText("+", x * TILE_SIZE + 5, y * TILE_SIZE + 1, NORM_FONT, WHITE);
-        }
-        break;
-      case TILE_DOOR_OPEN:
-        DrawRectangleRec(dst, floor_color);
-        if (brightness > 0) {
-          DrawRectangle(x * TILE_SIZE + 2, y * TILE_SIZE + 2, TILE_SIZE - 4, TILE_SIZE - 4, (Color){80, 70, 50, 180});
-          DrawRectangleLines(x * TILE_SIZE + 2, y * TILE_SIZE + 2, TILE_SIZE - 4, TILE_SIZE - 4,
-                             (Color){60, 50, 40, 200});
-          DrawText("'", x * TILE_SIZE + 6, y * TILE_SIZE + 2, NORM_FONT, (Color){150, 140, 120, 255});
-        }
-        break;
-      case TILE_DOOR_RUINED:
-        DrawRectangleRec(dst, (Color){60, 45, 30, 255});
-        if (brightness > 0) {
-          DrawRectangle(x * TILE_SIZE + 1, y * TILE_SIZE + 1, TILE_SIZE - 2, TILE_SIZE - 2, (Color){80, 60, 40, 200});
-          DrawLine(x * TILE_SIZE + 2, y * TILE_SIZE + 2, x * TILE_SIZE + TILE_SIZE - 2, y * TILE_SIZE + TILE_SIZE - 2,
-                   (Color){120, 90, 60, 255});
-          DrawLine(x * TILE_SIZE + TILE_SIZE - 2, y * TILE_SIZE + 2, x * TILE_SIZE + 2, y * TILE_SIZE + TILE_SIZE - 2,
-                   (Color){120, 90, 60, 255});
-        }
-        break;
+      }
+
+      // Wall base shadow: dark strip at bottom of wall tiles
+      if (map->tiles[y][x] == TILE_WALL && brightness > 0) {
+        int shadow_alpha = (int)(60.0f * ((float)brightness / 255.0f));
+        DrawRectangle(dst.x, dst.y + dst.height - 2, dst.width, 2, (Color){0, 0, 0, shadow_alpha});
       }
     }
   }
@@ -197,6 +320,13 @@ void render_player(const Player *p, const Tileset *tileset, int frame_counter) {
   Rectangle dst = {(float)(p->position.x * TILE_SIZE), (float)(p->position.y * TILE_SIZE), (float)TILE_SIZE,
                    (float)TILE_SIZE};
 
+  // Soft radial glow under the player
+  int cx = p->position.x * TILE_SIZE + TILE_SIZE / 2;
+  int cy = p->position.y * TILE_SIZE + TILE_SIZE / 2;
+  DrawCircle(cx, cy, 14.0f, (Color){255, 220, 100, 20});
+  DrawCircle(cx, cy, 10.0f, (Color){255, 230, 150, 35});
+  DrawCircle(cx, cy, 6.0f, (Color){255, 240, 180, 55});
+
   if (tileset != NULL && tileset->finalized) {
     int tile_id = p->sprite_tile_id;
     switch (p->anim_state) {
@@ -412,7 +542,7 @@ void render_ui(const Player *p, const Tileset *tileset, const FontManager *fm) {
   // HUD Panel
   const int hud_y = MAP_HEIGHT * TILE_SIZE;
   const int hud_height = 60;
-  const Color hud_bg = {25, 20, 15, 255};          // dark parchment
+  const Color hud_bg = {20, 18, 22, 255};          // dark bluish to separate from map
   const Color hud_border = {139, 119, 89, 255};    // bronze/brown border
   const Color text_dim = {160, 150, 140, 255};     // dimmed text
   const Color text_bright = {240, 230, 220, 255};  // bright text
@@ -420,6 +550,8 @@ void render_ui(const Player *p, const Tileset *tileset, const FontManager *fm) {
   // Main HUD background with border
   Rectangle ui_bg = {0, (float)hud_y, (float)SCREEN_WIDTH, (float)hud_height};
   DrawRectangleRec(ui_bg, hud_bg);
+  // Subtle shadow separating HUD from game view
+  DrawLine(0, hud_y - 1, SCREEN_WIDTH, hud_y - 1, (Color){0, 0, 0, 80});
   DrawRectangleLines(0, hud_y, SCREEN_WIDTH, hud_height, hud_border);
   DrawLine(0, hud_y + 1, SCREEN_WIDTH, hud_y + 1, (Color){60, 55, 50, 255});
   DrawLine(0, hud_y + hud_height - 2, SCREEN_WIDTH, hud_y + hud_height - 2, (Color){15, 12, 10, 255});
diff --git a/src/settings.h b/src/settings.h
index 19ecf14..246843f 100644
--- a/src/settings.h
+++ b/src/settings.h
@@ -84,6 +84,9 @@
 // Sub-tile lighting
 #define SUB_TILE_RES 8
 #define LIGHT_SIGHT_THRESHOLD 40
+#define AMBIENT_LIGHT_FACTOR 0.08f
+#define REMEMBERED_LIGHT_FACTOR 0.18f
+#define LIGHT_EXPONENT 1.7f
 
 // Player light source parameters
 #define PLAYER_LIGHT_RANGE 8
@@ -94,5 +97,6 @@
 
 // Visual polish
 #define DRAW_GRID_LINES 1
+#define DOOR_ANIM_FRAMES 8
 
 #endif  // SETTINGS_H