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
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
Matching and mergingOne rule
Clear a row now or preserve a well for a better upcoming piece?
Reference gamesTetris® Effect: Connected · Puyo Puyo™Tetris®
Matching and mergingOne rule
Take the large group now or remove a small group to join separated colors?
Reference gamesSame Game · Puyo Puyo™Tetris®
Matching and mergingOne rule
Absorb the largest nearby patch or take a small corridor toward a distant region?
Reference gamesFlood · KAMI
Cards and diceOne rule
Risk another reveal as visible hazards accumulate?
Reference gamesPort Royal · Incan Gold
Cards and diceOne rule
Keep future defense or make room for fresh offense?
Reference gamesSlay the Spire · Gloomhaven
Cards and diceOne rule
Spend a strong future card to activate production now?
Reference gamesRace for the Galaxy · Port Royal
Turns and tacticsOne rule
Shoot a weak target now or watch the next choke point?
Reference gamesXCOM 2 · Gears Tactics
Turns and tacticsOne rule
Fire safely with poor odds or spend movement to flank and expose yourself?
Reference gamesXCOM 2 · Gears Tactics
Turns and tacticsOne rule
Spend movement for a better position or save points for two actions?
Reference gamesGears Tactics · XCOM 2
Defense and wavesOne rule
Upgrade raw damage or add a tower that counters the next wave?
Reference gamesKingdom Rush Battles · Dungeon Defenders
Defense and wavesOne rule
Restore a weak barrier or trust a new turret to clear enemies before it breaks?
Reference gamesDungeon Defenders: Awakened · Mindustry
Defense and wavesOne rule
Hit the dangerous leader or center the blast on more targets?
Reference gamesMindustry · Dungeon Defenders
Inventory and loadoutsOne rule
Carry valuable ore or preserve tools and food needed to return?
Reference gamesThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim · Death Stranding
Inventory and loadoutsOne rule
Equip a recovery item or reserve a slot for a special obstacle?
Reference gamesMinecraft · Elden Ring
Inventory and loadoutsOne rule
Split a projectile for coverage or preserve single-target power?
Reference gamesPath of Exile · Diablo III
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.
