🎮 How to Play 4096 ✨
Master the addictive sliding puzzle game! Learn the rules, understand scoring, and discover winning strategies! 🎯
📖 Basic Rules & Gameplay
🎯 Objective
Your goal is to reach the target tile by combining numbered tiles! The default target is 2048, but you can customize it from 512 all the way up to 16384! The higher the target, the more challenging the game becomes! 🌟
✨ How Tiles Move
- Use arrow keys (PC) or swipe gestures (mobile) to slide all tiles in one direction: up, down, left, or right.
- All tiles move as far as possible in the chosen direction until they hit a wall or another tile.
- After every move, a new tile (either 2 or 4) randomly appears in an empty cell.
🔗 Merging Tiles
When two tiles with the same number touch during a move, they automatically merge into one with their combined value!
Examples:
- 2 + 2 → 4
- 16 + 16 → 32
- 512 + 512 → 1024
- 2048 + 2048 → 4096
Important: A tile can only merge once per move. If three or more identical tiles are in a line, only the first pair merges!
🏁 Game Over Conditions
- The game ends when the board is completely full and no more moves are possible.
- You win when you create a tile that reaches or exceeds your target value!
- After winning, you can continue playing to achieve even higher scores! 🎊
🎹 Controls
💻 Desktop/PC Controls
- ↑ ↓ ← → Arrow Keys: Move tiles in any direction
- Backspace or Delete: Undo your last move
📱 Mobile/Tablet Controls
- 👆 Swipe: Swipe up, down, left, or right to move tiles
- ↩️ Undo Button: Tap to reverse your last move
💰 Scoring System Explained
✨ How Scoring Works
The scoring system is simple and rewarding! Every time you merge two tiles, you earn points equal to the value of the new merged tile!
Score Calculation Formula
Score Gained = New Tile Value
When you merge two tiles, add the new tile's value to your total score!
Examples:
Merge 2 + 2
= 4 points
(New tile value: 4)
Merge 8 + 8
= 16 points
(New tile value: 16)
Merge 64 + 64
= 128 points
(New tile value: 128)
Merge 512 + 512
= 1024 points
(New tile value: 1024)
Merge 2048 + 2048
= 4096 points
(New tile value: 4096)
Merge 8192 + 8192
= 16384 points
(New tile value: 16384)
🏆 High Score & Best Scores
- 📊 Current Score:
Your running total increases with each merge! Every merge adds points to your current score.
- 🌟 Best Score (High Score):
Your best score for each grid size is automatically saved! The game tracks separate high scores for 4x4, 5x5, 6x6, and 7x7 grids, so you can compete against yourself across different difficulty levels! 🎯
- 💾 Score Storage:
High scores are saved locally in your browser, so they persist even after you close the game! Try to beat your personal best! 💪
💡 Scoring Strategy Tips
Higher Merges = Higher Scores:
Merging larger tiles gives exponentially more points! A single 2048+2048 merge gives you 4096 points—that's more than 1000 merges of 2+2 tiles! Focus on creating bigger tiles for maximum score! 🎊
Multiple Merges Per Move:
Plan your moves to trigger multiple merges in a single move! This maximizes points per action and helps you build bigger tiles faster! ⚡
Milestone Bonuses:
Special milestone tiles (128, 256, 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16384) get special visual effects when created! While they don't give bonus points, they're satisfying achievements to unlock! 🌟
⚙️ Game Configuration Options
- 📐 Grid Size (4x4 to 7x7):
Larger grids provide more space but require more strategic planning. 4x4 is the classic challenge, while 7x7 offers more room for complex strategies!
- 🎯 Target Tile (512 to 16384):
Set your goal! Lower targets are easier to reach, while higher targets require advanced strategies and patience. Try to reach 16384 for the ultimate challenge! 🏆
- 🎨 Theme Selection:
Choose from Numbers, Monster, Emoji, Nature, Evolution, Civilization, Food Chain, or Planet Builder themes! Each theme makes the game feel fresh and exciting! ✨
- 🔊 Sound Effects:
Toggle audio feedback on or off. Sound effects play when you move tiles, merge them, or use undo! 🎵
🎯 Winning Strategies & Tips
🏠 Corner Strategy (Recommended)
Keep your highest value tile locked in one corner (bottom-right or bottom-left work best). This prevents it from accidentally moving and creates a stable foundation for building larger tiles. Always move toward that corner! 🎯
🔒 Limit Movement Directions
When using the corner strategy, primarily use only two directions (e.g., down and right for bottom-right corner) plus one perpendicular direction. This keeps your large tile secure while allowing you to build adjacent chains! ✨
🔗 Build Descending Chains
Arrange tiles in descending order next to each other along an edge (e.g., 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2). This makes it easier to merge them efficiently in sequence! 🌟
📊 Control New Tile Spawns
Try to keep the row or column containing your highest tile full. This reduces the chance of a new tile spawning in an inconvenient location that disrupts your strategy! 💫
⚡ Merge Small Tiles Quickly
Don't let 2s and 4s clutter the board. Merge them as soon as possible to create space and build toward larger tiles! Cluttered boards lead to game over! 🎊
🧠 Think Ahead & Plan Moves
Before making a move, consider where new tiles might appear and how the board will look after your move. Plan 2-3 moves ahead when possible! Advanced players visualize multiple moves in advance! 🎮
↩️ Use Undo Strategically
The undo feature allows you to reverse your last move. Use it when you realize a move will make the board worse, but remember it only remembers the last move! Don't rely on it too heavily—develop your skills instead! 💪
😊 Be Patient & Stay Focused
Don't rush, especially when the board gets crowded! Take your time to analyze the situation and make thoughtful moves. Patience is key to reaching high scores and challenging targets! 💖
🚀 Ready to Play?
Now that you understand the game mechanics and scoring system, it's time to put your skills to the test! 🎯