Shell - Games

In gaming, 'shell' represents a versatile design concept. It often manifests as protective armor for characters, layered defense systems in strategy games, or nested narrative structures in adventure titles. Mechanically, shells create progression systems where players upgrade or replace outer layers. Symbolically, they explore themes of vulnerability, identity, and transformation—whether through exoskeletons in sci-fi or metaphorical shells in psychological narratives. Environmental shells shape level design with concentric challenges. This modular approach allows developers to build complexity while maintaining intuitive gameplay loops centered on protection, revelation, or evolution.