Trapped - Games

In gaming, 'Trapped' transcends literal confinement to explore psychological and narrative constraints. It manifests through environmental puzzles, moral dilemmas, or cyclical narratives that limit player agency. This design tool creates tension, forcing strategic adaptation within defined boundaries—be it a locked room, a repeating timeline, or a rigid social hierarchy. Symbolically, it reflects human struggles against internal or external limitations, making escape or acceptance a core emotional driver. From survival horror's claustrophobia to RPGs' faction allegiances, trapping mechanics deepen immersion by making freedom meaningful.