Limited means of defense

Weapons and supplies fill a gridded case in Resident Evil 4; a rifle occupies a long row with empty cells below.A long weapon occupies a row of cellsEmpty cells for new items
Resident Evil 4 (2023)Different weapon shapes in Leon’s case
  1. A long weapon occupies a row of cells
  2. Empty cells for new items
© Capcom; image via GameMechanics.org · Source ↗

Limited defenses turn threatening encounters into choices between resistance, avoidance and spending a scarce reserve.

Design tips

  • Show defensive reserves before a threat and preserve a meaningful way around it.

Examples