diff --git a/index.html b/index.html
index 7a3d0b0..1d0cff8 100644
--- a/index.html
+++ b/index.html
@@ -13,12 +13,13 @@
         <div class="game-info">
           <p>Use WASD or Arrow Keys to move</p>
           <p class="visual-warning">⚠️ Red squares are deadly - avoid them!</p>
-          <p class="audio-warning">🔊 Hidden dangers end the game - listen carefully!</p>
-          <p class="audio-hint">🎧 Use headphones for best directional audio experience</p>
+          <p class="audio-warning">🔊 Hidden dangers end the game - listen for directions!</p>
+          <p class="audio-hint">🗣️ Speech directions: "left", "right", "up", "down"</p>
         </div>
         <canvas id="gameCanvas" width="800" height="600"></canvas>
         <div class="controls">
           <button id="soundToggle">🔊 Sound: ON</button>
+          <button id="speechToggle">🗣️ Speech: ON</button>
           <button id="vibrationToggle">📳 Vibration: ON</button>
         </div>
       </div>
diff --git a/src/audio.js b/src/audio.js
index c02c4dc..3090314 100644
--- a/src/audio.js
+++ b/src/audio.js
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ export class AudioSystem {
     this.gainNode = null;
     this.activeSounds = new Set();
     this.initialized = false;
+    this.lastSpokenDirection = '';
+    this.speechEnabled = true;
     
     this.initializeAudio();
   }
@@ -127,39 +129,68 @@ export class AudioSystem {
   }
   
   async playDirectionalProximitySound(directions) {
-    await this.ensureAudioContext();
-    
-    // Calculate the dominant direction for panning
-    let panValue = 0;
-    let pitchModifier = 0;
-    
-    // Horizontal panning (left/right)
-    if (directions.left && !directions.right) {
-      panValue = -0.7; // Pan left
-    } else if (directions.right && !directions.left) {
-      panValue = 0.7; // Pan right
+    // Use text-to-speech instead of sounds
+    this.speakDirections(directions);
+  }
+
+  speakDirections(directions) {
+    if (!this.speechEnabled || !('speechSynthesis' in window)) {
+      return;
     }
+
+    // Determine which directions to announce
+    const activeDirections = [];
     
-    // Vertical pitch variation (up/down)
-    if (directions.up && !directions.down) {
-      pitchModifier = 50; // Higher pitch for above
-    } else if (directions.down && !directions.up) {
-      pitchModifier = -50; // Lower pitch for below
+    if (directions.up) activeDirections.push('up');
+    if (directions.down) activeDirections.push('down');
+    if (directions.left) activeDirections.push('left');
+    if (directions.right) activeDirections.push('right');
+
+    if (activeDirections.length === 0) {
+      return;
     }
+
+    // Create the text to speak
+    let textToSpeak;
+    if (activeDirections.length === 1) {
+      textToSpeak = activeDirections[0];
+    } else if (activeDirections.length === 2) {
+      textToSpeak = activeDirections.join(' and ');
+    } else {
+      textToSpeak = activeDirections.slice(0, -1).join(', ') + ', and ' + activeDirections[activeDirections.length - 1];
+    }
+
+    // Avoid repeating the same direction announcement
+    if (textToSpeak === this.lastSpokenDirection) {
+      return;
+    }
+    this.lastSpokenDirection = textToSpeak;
+
+    // Stop any currently playing speech
+    speechSynthesis.cancel();
+
+    // Create and configure the speech utterance
+    const utterance = new SpeechSynthesisUtterance(textToSpeak);
+    utterance.rate = 1.2; // Slightly faster speech
+    utterance.pitch = 1.0;
+    utterance.volume = 0.8;
     
-    // Create directional warning sounds
-    this.createOscillator(300, 'sine', 0.15, panValue, pitchModifier);
-    this.createOscillator(250, 'sine', 0.15, panValue, pitchModifier * 0.5);
-    
-    // Add subtle rhythmic variation based on direction
-    if (directions.up) {
-      // Quick double beep for above
+    // Clear the last spoken direction when speech ends
+    utterance.onend = () => {
       setTimeout(() => {
-        this.createOscillator(350, 'sine', 0.05, panValue, pitchModifier);
-      }, 80);
-    } else if (directions.down) {
-      // Slower, deeper sound for below
-      this.createOscillator(200, 'sine', 0.2, panValue, pitchModifier);
+        this.lastSpokenDirection = '';
+      }, 500); // Small delay to prevent immediate repetition
+    };
+
+    // Speak the directions
+    speechSynthesis.speak(utterance);
+  }
+
+  setSpeechEnabled(enabled) {
+    this.speechEnabled = enabled;
+    if (!enabled) {
+      speechSynthesis.cancel();
+      this.lastSpokenDirection = '';
     }
   }
   
diff --git a/src/game.js b/src/game.js
index bd4e7a4..21233e5 100644
--- a/src/game.js
+++ b/src/game.js
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ export class Game {
     
     // Game state
     this.soundEnabled = true;
+    this.speechEnabled = true;
     this.vibrationEnabled = true;
     this.lastProximityWarning = 0;
     
@@ -32,6 +33,7 @@ export class Game {
   
   setupControls() {
     const soundToggle = document.getElementById('soundToggle');
+    const speechToggle = document.getElementById('speechToggle');
     const vibrationToggle = document.getElementById('vibrationToggle');
     
     soundToggle.addEventListener('click', () => {
@@ -41,6 +43,12 @@ export class Game {
         this.audioSystem.stopAll();
       }
     });
+
+    speechToggle.addEventListener('click', () => {
+      this.speechEnabled = !this.speechEnabled;
+      speechToggle.textContent = `🗣️ Speech: ${this.speechEnabled ? 'ON' : 'OFF'}`;
+      this.audioSystem.setSpeechEnabled(this.speechEnabled);
+    });
     
     vibrationToggle.addEventListener('click', () => {
       this.vibrationEnabled = !this.vibrationEnabled;
@@ -127,20 +135,20 @@ export class Game {
   update(deltaTime) {
     this.player.update(deltaTime);
     
-    // Check proximity to audio danger squares and play directional warning sounds
-    if (this.soundEnabled) {
+    // Check proximity to audio danger squares and play directional warning speech
+    if (this.speechEnabled) {
       const directions = this.maze.getAudioDangerDirections(this.player.x, this.player.y);
       if (directions.squares.length > 0) {
         this.playDirectionalProximityWarning(directions);
       }
     }
   }
-  
+
   playDirectionalProximityWarning(directions) {
-    // Play a directional warning sound when near audio danger squares
+    // Play a directional warning speech when near audio danger squares
     // Use a timer to avoid playing too frequently
     const now = Date.now();
-    if (!this.lastProximityWarning || now - this.lastProximityWarning > 1000) {
+    if (!this.lastProximityWarning || now - this.lastProximityWarning > 1500) {
       this.audioSystem.playDirectionalProximitySound(directions);
       this.lastProximityWarning = now;
     }
diff --git a/src/maze.js b/src/maze.js
index d830533..7e961e3 100644
--- a/src/maze.js
+++ b/src/maze.js
@@ -23,14 +23,13 @@ export class Maze {
     // Create outer boundary walls only
     this.createOuterWalls();
     
-    // Add dangerous squares (about 30% of inner safe squares)
-    this.addDangerousSquares();
-    
     // Set exit (ensure it's not on the outer wall)
     this.exitX = this.cols - 2;
     this.exitY = this.rows - 2;
     this.grid[this.exitY][this.exitX] = this.EXIT;
-    this.dangerousSquares.delete(`${this.exitX},${this.exitY}`);
+    
+    // Add dangerous squares while ensuring a path exists
+    this.addDangerousSquaresWithPathGuarantee();
   }
   
   createOuterWalls() {
@@ -77,6 +76,123 @@ export class Maze {
       this.dangerousSquares.add(`${x},${y}`);
     }
   }
+
+  addDangerousSquaresWithPathGuarantee() {
+    const innerSafeSquares = [];
+    
+    // Find all inner safe squares (excluding outer wall boundary, player start, and exit)
+    for (let y = 1; y < this.rows - 1; y++) {
+      for (let x = 1; x < this.cols - 1; x++) {
+        if (this.grid[y][x] === this.SAFE && !(x === 1 && y === 1) && !(x === this.exitX && y === this.exitY)) {
+          innerSafeSquares.push({ x, y });
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    
+    // Calculate target number of dangerous squares (30% of inner safe squares)
+    const totalDangerousCount = Math.floor(innerSafeSquares.length * 0.3);
+    const visualDangerousCount = Math.floor(totalDangerousCount * 0.5);
+    const audioDangerousCount = totalDangerousCount - visualDangerousCount;
+    
+    this.shuffle(innerSafeSquares);
+    
+    let addedDangerous = 0;
+    let addedVisual = 0;
+    let addedAudio = 0;
+    
+    // Add dangerous squares one by one, checking path after each addition
+    for (let i = 0; i < innerSafeSquares.length && addedDangerous < totalDangerousCount; i++) {
+      const { x, y } = innerSafeSquares[i];
+      
+      // Determine what type of dangerous square to add
+      let dangerType;
+      if (addedVisual < visualDangerousCount) {
+        dangerType = this.DANGEROUS_VISUAL;
+      } else if (addedAudio < audioDangerousCount) {
+        dangerType = this.DANGEROUS_AUDIO;
+      } else {
+        break; // We've added enough dangerous squares
+      }
+      
+      // Temporarily place the dangerous square
+      const originalType = this.grid[y][x];
+      this.grid[y][x] = dangerType;
+      
+      // Check if a path still exists from start to exit
+      if (this.hasPathToExit(1, 1)) {
+        // Path exists, keep this dangerous square
+        this.dangerousSquares.add(`${x},${y}`);
+        addedDangerous++;
+        if (dangerType === this.DANGEROUS_VISUAL) {
+          addedVisual++;
+        } else {
+          addedAudio++;
+        }
+      } else {
+        // Path blocked, revert this square to safe
+        this.grid[y][x] = originalType;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Breadth-first search to check if a safe path exists from start to exit
+  hasPathToExit(startX, startY) {
+    const visited = new Set();
+    const queue = [{ x: startX, y: startY }];
+    const targetKey = `${this.exitX},${this.exitY}`;
+    
+    while (queue.length > 0) {
+      const { x, y } = queue.shift();
+      const key = `${x},${y}`;
+      
+      if (key === targetKey) {
+        return true; // Found path to exit
+      }
+      
+      if (visited.has(key)) {
+        continue;
+      }
+      visited.add(key);
+      
+      // Check all four directions
+      const directions = [
+        { dx: 0, dy: -1 }, // up
+        { dx: 0, dy: 1 },  // down
+        { dx: -1, dy: 0 }, // left
+        { dx: 1, dy: 0 }   // right
+      ];
+      
+      for (const { dx, dy } of directions) {
+        const newX = x + dx;
+        const newY = y + dy;
+        const newKey = `${newX},${newY}`;
+        
+        // Check if the new position is valid and safe to walk
+        if (newX >= 0 && newX < this.cols && 
+            newY >= 0 && newY < this.rows && 
+            !visited.has(newKey) &&
+            this.isSafeToWalk(newX, newY)) {
+          queue.push({ x: newX, y: newY });
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    
+    return false; // No safe path found
+  }
+
+  // Check if a position is safe to walk (only safe squares and exit)
+  isSafeToWalk(x, y) {
+    const cellType = this.grid[y][x];
+    return cellType === this.SAFE || cellType === this.EXIT;
+  }
+
+  // Check if a position is walkable (not a wall - for game movement)
+  isWalkable(x, y) {
+    const cellType = this.grid[y][x];
+    // Player can walk on all squares except walls
+    // Dangerous squares end the game but are still walkable for movement
+    return cellType !== this.WALL;
+  }
   
   shuffle(array) {
     for (let i = array.length - 1; i > 0; i--) {
@@ -89,7 +205,7 @@ export class Maze {
     if (x < 0 || x >= this.cols || y < 0 || y >= this.rows) {
       return false;
     }
-    return this.grid[y][x] !== this.WALL;
+    return this.isWalkable(x, y);
   }
   
   isDangerous(x, y) {
@@ -121,7 +237,7 @@ export class Maze {
   }
   
   getAudioDangerDirections(playerX, playerY, range = 1) {
-    // Get all directions where audio danger squares are located
+    // Get all directions where audio danger squares are located (cardinal directions only)
     const directions = {
       left: false,
       right: false,
@@ -130,22 +246,23 @@ export class Maze {
       squares: []
     };
     
-    for (let dy = -range; dy <= range; dy++) {
-      for (let dx = -range; dx <= range; dx++) {
-        if (dx === 0 && dy === 0) continue; // Skip player's current position
-        
-        const checkX = playerX + dx;
-        const checkY = playerY + dy;
+    // Only check cardinal directions (no corners)
+    const cardinalDirections = [
+      { dx: -1, dy: 0, dir: 'left' },   // left
+      { dx: 1, dy: 0, dir: 'right' },   // right
+      { dx: 0, dy: -1, dir: 'up' },     // up
+      { dx: 0, dy: 1, dir: 'down' }     // down
+    ];
+    
+    for (const { dx, dy, dir } of cardinalDirections) {
+      for (let dist = 1; dist <= range; dist++) {
+        const checkX = playerX + (dx * dist);
+        const checkY = playerY + (dy * dist);
         
         if (checkX >= 0 && checkX < this.cols && checkY >= 0 && checkY < this.rows) {
           if (this.grid[checkY][checkX] === this.DANGEROUS_AUDIO) {
-            directions.squares.push({ x: checkX, y: checkY, dx, dy });
-            
-            // Determine primary directions
-            if (dx < 0) directions.left = true;
-            if (dx > 0) directions.right = true;
-            if (dy < 0) directions.up = true;
-            if (dy > 0) directions.down = true;
+            directions.squares.push({ x: checkX, y: checkY, dx: dx * dist, dy: dy * dist });
+            directions[dir] = true;
           }
         }
       }
@@ -183,6 +300,9 @@ export class Maze {
             ctx.lineWidth = 1;
             ctx.strokeRect(pixelX, pixelY, cellSize, cellSize);
             break;
+            //debug
+          // case this.DANGEROUS_AUDIO:  
+
             
           case this.DANGEROUS_VISUAL:
             // Visual-only danger squares - animated red appearance