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
Cooperation and rolesLinked states
Describe the symbol immediately or first establish matching positions and orientation?
Reference gamesKeep Talking and Nobody Explodes · We Were Here
Cooperation and rolesOne rule
Trigger now or wait for confirmation that the partner is in position?
Reference gamesPortal 2 · It Takes Two
Cooperation and rolesLinked states
Keep assigned roles or switch temporarily to unblock the process?
Reference gamesTrine Enchanted Edition · Overcooked! 2
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
Observation and deductionOne rule
Use overlap in a long run or split a row around known empty cells?
Reference gamesPattern · Picross e
Observation and deductionOne rule
Guess the likeliest answer or probe to eliminate more candidates?
Reference gamesGuess · Mastermind
Observation and deductionOne rule
Is the evidence enough, or must you clarify the time or location first?
Reference gamesApollo Justice: Ace Attorney · Contradiction: Spot The Liar
Language and rule manipulationOne rule
Submit a safe short word or extend through a rare letter with uncertain validity?
Reference gamesBoggle · Wordament
Language and rule manipulationOne rule
Keep searching a known name or follow an unusual object mentioned in a sentence?
Reference gamesHer Story · Telling Lies
Language and rule manipulationOne rule
Finish a half-typed long word or switch to the short-word threat about to reach you?
Reference gamesEpistory - Typing Chronicles · The Typing of The Dead: Overkill
Spatial and path puzzlesOne rule
Displace a correct tile temporarily to make room for the target's turn?
Reference gamesFifteen · Sixteen
Spatial and path puzzlesOne rule
Lock edge orientations first or connect the center to reduce uncertainty?
Reference gamesNet · Twiddle
Spatial and path puzzlesLinked states
Change exit angle or increase the drop before entry to gain range?
Reference gamesPortal · Portal 2
Maps and explorationOne rule
Take the shortest unknown route or spend a step scouting?
Reference gamesCivilization VI · The Battle for Wesnoth
Maps and explorationOne rule
Push into a new area or first open a return route to safety?
Reference gamesTeardown · Salt and Sanctuary
Maps and explorationOne rule
Take immediate rewards or a route with timely recovery after danger?
Reference gamesSlay the Spire · 80 Days
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.
