Power Grid is a mobile merge puzzle game that combines tile progression, strategic board management, and level-based objectives into a single gameplay loop. Rather than relying on endless score chasing, the experience gradually introduces new mechanics, board constraints, and puzzle-focused milestones that encourage players to think several moves ahead.
The project explores how interface design, visual feedback, and progressive onboarding can reduce cognitive load while supporting increasingly complex decision-making. Built in Unity using C#, the game includes handcrafted levels, progression systems, power-ups, and state-based interactions designed to keep gameplay approachable while rewarding strategic play.
Designing for Two Gameplay Modes
Power Grid combines two complementary gameplay modes within a consistent interface. Most levels focus on score optimization through efficient merges and resource management, while every fifth level introduces a puzzle objective that shifts the player’s focus from maximizing points to solving a specific challenge. Rather than redesigning the interface, the information hierarchy adapts to emphasize the most relevant gameplay elements for each mode.
Score-Focused Gameplay
Objective-Focused Gameplay
Board Constraints & Player Tools
As players progress, the game introduces board constraints that reshape familiar mechanics without changing the core interaction model. Obstacles limit available space and influence placement decisions, while power-ups provide controlled recovery options that help players adapt to challenging situations. Together, these systems increase strategic depth by encouraging players to evaluate both immediate opportunities and long-term consequences.
Tile Progression
Six visual tile tiers communicate progression, scoring value, and newly unlocked gameplay mechanics such as diagonal merging and puzzle-specific interactions.
Ice Tiles
Layered visual states indicate how many interactions remain before a tile becomes usable.
Capacity Tiles
Visual indicators communicate remaining uses and encourage more deliberate placement decisions.
Dead Tiles
Unavailable spaces reduce board area and increase planning pressure.
Onboarding & Learning Curve
Power Grid introduces mechanics progressively through gameplay rather than relying on lengthy tutorials. New objectives, board constraints, and interaction patterns are introduced one at a time, allowing players to build confidence with core mechanics before combining them in more complex scenarios.
Learn
Players begin by mastering the core merge mechanics through simple score-based challenges. Early tutorial prompts explain tile progression, scoring, and board management while encouraging exploration through immediate feedback.
Apply
Once the fundamentals are established, the game introduces objective-based puzzle levels. New mechanics are presented individually, allowing players to apply previously learned skills while adapting to new goals and interaction patterns.
Master
Later levels combine multiple mechanics, board modifiers, and objectives into increasingly complex challenges. Rather than introducing entirely new systems, the experience reinforces earlier lessons, encouraging strategic thinking and long-term planning.
Designed as a personal game UX case study exploring progression systems, interaction design, onboarding, and puzzle game interfaces.
AI-assisted tools supported concept exploration, selected implementation tasks, code refactoring, debugging, iterative refinement, and the creation of selected visual assets throughout development.