Find a mechanism, understand its tradeoffs and smallest useful scope, then build your game with a design card and sample project.
192 Mechanisms32 Mechanism domain48 Art styles12 Genre guides
Physics and contraptionsOne rule
Pull farther for range or reduce energy to avoid overshooting?
Reference gamesAngry Birds Journey · Worms W.M.D Mobilize
Physics and contraptionsOne rule
Brake on rough ground early or slide on ice and countersteer later?
Reference gamesSuperTux · Trackmania
Physics and contraptionsLinked states
Fill the upper reservoir first or send limited water straight to the destination?
Reference gamesFactorio · Timberborn
Time and echoesOne rule
Pause to read trajectories or move into position while enemies advance too?
Reference gamesSUPERHOT · SUPERHOT: MIND CONTROL DELETE
Time and echoesOne rule
Spend slow motion on an easy target or save it for overlapping threats?
Reference gamesMax Payne · Boomerang X
Time and echoesOne rule
Prepare a shortcut before starting the timer or trigger now and arrange things on the run?
Reference gamesPortal 2 · Twelve Minutes
Genre guides
The music gives the time first, and the player acts on a chosen beat. The judgment should match the accent that was heard, and a miss should still leave the next beat playable.
Reference gamesRhythm Heaven · Thumper · A Dance of Fire and Ice
Genre guides
Being seen puts the player at a disadvantage, so patrols, light, and sound must be rules that can be read rather than a sudden failure.
Reference gamesMark of the Ninja · Invisible, Inc. · Metal Gear Solid
Genre guides
The player sets direction and power, then gives the result to collisions. Skill is predicting the path, the impacts, and the shots that remain.
Reference gamesAngry Birds · Peggle · Golf Peaks
Covers are original AI-generated style illustrations. Game names reference publicly visible design choices and remain the property of their owners. This atlas does not supply screenshots or assets from those games. Prompts and combinations are original drafts for new games.
