Phrased Out
Phrased Out combines word puzzles with combat, upgrades and a story about BeepBoop, a robot with missing memory chips. Players recover the chips by solving passwords, uncovering more of the story as they progress.
Background
The client needed a complete game experience ready to ship in three months. I developed the visual identity, designs for the two main characters and UI around an 8-bit retro concept.
Solution
My central idea was to make the interface resemble the inside of BeepBoop. The controls and panels became part of the character’s world, carrying the story’s cute, slightly ironic tone into the experience.
Making room for play under pressure
Players solve puzzles while an enemy’s attack timer counts down. They have limited guesses and can use power-ups to stop time, reveal a letter or change the puzzle. The interface needed to make these choices easy to find while keeping the puzzle in focus.
Playing inside BeepBoop’s world
I carried the same visual language through gameplay, upgrades, achievments and conversations. The panels, pixel typography and controls keep each screen connected to BeepBoop’s world.
