SameGame

Getting started: what is SameGame?

SameGame is a puzzle about removing connected blocks of the same color and leaving as few as possible. Each move changes the arrangement for your next move. There is no time limit, so you can think at your own pace.

1. For your first game, choose Relaxed Mode, an 8×10 board and 3 colors, then start.
2. Find matching colors touching above, below, left or right. Click or tap any one of them. With the default controls, the whole connected group disappears at once.
3. After the blocks fall, look for new groups. Keep playing until no groups remain, aiming for a high score or an all-clear.

1. Matching colors must share an edge

Blocks of the same color form a group when they touch vertically or horizontally. A group needs at least two blocks to be removable. It can bend into an L or branch out: every block connected through matching neighbors is removed together.

A lone block cannot be removed yet. Removing other colors may move it next to a matching block later. Symbols help identify colors; changing the block design does not change the rules.

2. After removal: fall down, then shift left

Blocks above a gap fall down until that column has no gaps. If an entire vertical column becomes empty, all columns to its right shift left to close it. No new blocks are added. Step through the example below to see each movement.

3. When does a board end?

A board ends when no connected group of two or more matching blocks remains. There is no pass or fail threshold for leftovers. In Challenge Mode, you advance regardless of the remaining count.

Keep scoring while removable groups remain. The leftover penalty is calculated once, when the board ends.

Removing every block is an all-clear. It is optional, but earns a 1,000-point bonus.

Can every board be fully cleared?

Yes. Before a board is offered, its complete clearing sequence is replayed and verified using the same removal rules as gameplay. Every board is guaranteed to have an all-clear solution. This does not mean every order works: your choices can leave blocks behind.

4. Larger groups earn more points

Subtract 2 from the number of blocks removed in one move, then multiply that number by itself. The formula is (blocks removed − 2)². Joining blocks into one large group can earn more than removing several small groups.

2 blocks

0 points

3 blocks

1 points

4 blocks

4 points

5 blocks

9 points

10 blocks

64 points

Two-block groups score 0, but can reduce leftovers or connect another color. Each all-clear adds 1,000 points, including each Challenge Mode stage. At the end, subtract max(0, remaining − 2)²: 1–2 leftovers cost nothing, 8 cost 36 points and 12 cost 100 points. Each board has a zero-point floor. Challenge Mode adds the settled scores from both stages.

5. Choose how to remove blocks

One click

One mouse click or phone tap immediately removes the group. Use this for a quicker pace.

Select & confirm

Your first click or tap only selects a group. Press that group again or use Clear blocks to confirm. Press another group to change your selection, or Deselect to clear the selection without removing anything.

On a computer, hover over a group to highlight it. While selecting, the HUD shows its block count and potential points. After removal, check the points earned and your total score.

You cannot undo a single move after removing blocks. Select & confirm is useful if you prefer to check before committing.

Change symbols, monochrome display, block appearance, and clear controls during play using the settings cog. The board automatically fits the available space. You can also play in fullscreen. Use Tab to enter the board, arrow keys to move between pieces, and Enter or Space to play.

6. The two game modes

Challenge Mode

Play two stages in order: 18×18 with 3 colors, then 18×18 with 5 colors. When no groups remain, review the result and advance. Leftovers never end the challenge early. Compete on the combined settled score from both boards.

Relaxed Mode

Choose an 8×10, 10×16 or 18×18 board with 3, 4 or 5 colors. Sizes mean columns × rows. There is no pass threshold; scoring, leftover penalties and all-clear bonuses are shared with Challenge Mode. Choose a different board from the result to play a fresh arrangement. Relaxed Mode is not ranked.

A few ideas when you are stuck

• Start with three colors to make groups easier to spot.
• Before removing a large group, check whether clearing something below or beside it could connect an even larger one.
• Think about lone blocks as well as points. Picture the downward fall and any left shift to help plan your next move.

7. Pausing, saving and replaying

Each move is saved on your device. Starting a new game keeps your previous board under Unfinished boards. Finished boards remain in history for viewing results or replaying as practice. If saving fails, retry before continuing.

Retrying the same board or replaying a saved board lets you practice its original arrangement. Practice results do not update personal bests, completion counts or online rankings. Your original record is kept.

About online rankings

New Challenge Mode games started with rankings enabled are eligible. Rankings compare the combined settled score of both stages. Equal scores share a rank. Pausing, saving and resuming preserve eligibility. Retry submission from the result if a network error occurs.