How levels, hints and stars work

Passing a level

Every game has ten levels. Level 1 is open to everyone. Solve 3 different puzzles at a level to pass it; that opens the next one. Solving the same puzzle again doesn't count twice. Solves with hints count; showing the full solution turns the attempt into practice, which doesn't.

Each level has 20 puzzles: 12 on the main path, 4 extra that rotate in, and 4 practice boards. Levels 8, 9 and 10 are named Expert, Master and Grandmaster. Their difficulty comes from the reasoning they need, not from speed or luck. We will publish how many players solve them only after we have measured it.

Hints

1. The strategy guide for each game is always free.
2. A hint first shows where to look, then explains the logical step. This costs one credit.
3. Revealing the move itself costs another credit.

Free players get 3 credits a day, shared across all games, resetting at 00:00 UTC. Asking for the same hint twice, or a hint that can't be produced, costs nothing. Without an account, credits are counted on your device only.

Stars

1 star: solved with hints. 2 stars: solved without hints. 3 stars: without hints and meeting that game's target (shown on each game page).

Timing and fair play

The clock runs only while the game is on screen; it pauses when you switch tabs or apps. You can hide the clock in settings without changing how it is measured. Results are checked on our server by replaying your moves. Results that are impossible to reproduce are not recorded. No browser game can be made completely cheat-proof, and we don't claim otherwise.

Taking breaks

Some games, 2048 especially, can run for hours. After two hours of active play in one round we suggest a break, then again every hour. Your round is saved; pick it up whenever you like.