Paper is fast
Every Relieve level began away from the engine. Drawing the route by hand made it possible to test many ideas before spending time placing final objects.
The sketch does not need to be attractive. It only needs to answer three questions: what does the player notice first, where can they make a meaningful mistake, and what makes the solution satisfying?
Difficulty is more than obstacle count
Adding more hazards does not always create a better puzzle. Difficulty can come from timing, incomplete information, or asking the player to rethink an assumption established in an earlier level.
Relieve uses a gradual sequence so each new challenge can build on something the player already understands.
Translating the sketch
Once a layout works on paper, the Unity version is tested for spacing and input feel. The digital level often changes, but the original sketch remains a useful statement of intent.