Outer Loop is a 2D side-scrolling indie game demo based on the core “scavenge-and-extract” gameplay loop, featuring a retro-futuristic aesthetic inspired by Simon Stålenhag’s visual style. The project explores the integration of side-scrolling mechanics with distinctive visual storytelling, offering a new design approach for the extraction game genre, which is currently dominated by hardcore military themes.

　　The project includes a complete underground laboratory level, a functional gameplay loop, a mobile home storage and upgrade system, and a unified pixel art style. The core loop combines two interconnected systems: in-game exploration and resource gathering, and out-of-game base development. Players must collect supplies, overcome enemies, and successfully extract within a limited time. The narrative is conveyed through environmental storytelling and fragmented documents, making storytelling an integral part of the gameplay experience. Built with Unity 2D URP rendering pipeline and a pixel art workflow, the project demonstrates the feasibility of transforming retro-futuristic aesthetics from static illustrations into an interactive playable medium.