Strategy2 min read
How to play Merge
Slide numbered tiles around a 4×4 board. Two equal tiles that meet join into one tile worth double. Build the target tile.
Goal
Join tiles until one reaches the target: 256 on Easy, 512 on Medium, 1024 on Hard and 2048 on Expert.
How to play
- Swipe, use the arrow keys, or press the arrow buttons. Every tile slides as far as it can that way.
- Two tiles with the same number that slide into each other become one tile with their sum.
- After every move a new 2 (or sometimes a 4) appears in an empty square.
- You win when you build the target tile. The game ends if the board fills up with no move left.
Keyboard
| Keys | What it does |
|---|---|
| ←↑→↓ | Slide every tile that way |
| WASD | Slide up, left, down or right |
Tips
- Keep your biggest tile in one corner and build towards it.
- Use mostly two directions, a third only when you must.
- Keep the row along your corner full and in order, biggest to smallest.
- On Easy and Medium, a hint suggests a move.
Scoring
- Each target tile you build is worth 100 points, scaled by difficulty (Easy ×0.8, Medium ×1, Hard ×1.3, Expert ×1.6).
- Boards in a row add a 15-point streak bonus, up to 10 in a row.
- Using a hint halves the points for that board. Hints are only available on Easy and Medium.
- Your score, streak and achievements are saved to your account when the game ends.
Modes
Classic
A fixed number of rounds, then a results screen.
Endless
Keep playing until you press Quit.
Time Attack
Fit in as many rounds as you can before the clock runs out.
Survival
Play until you run out of lives or make the game-ending mistake.