Bloxorz is an all-time classic video game. It sits alongside others like Run and Learn To Fly in the Coolmath Games hall of fame. First published in 2007, Bloxorz is a puzzle game that has been entertaining gamers for well over a decade, combining easy-to-learn controls with fiendishly challenging levels. Now, with an IOS or Android device in everybody’s pockets, Bloxorz can be played wherever and whenever. But this doesn’t mean it's gotten any easier. There’s no shame in needing a bit of help to beat one of the hardest puzzle games on Coolmath Games, so read on for our handy strategy guide.
If you need another challenge after beating Bloxorz, check out our hard games playlist for more.
How to Play Bloxorz
The beauty of Bloxorz lies in how easy you can learn the concept and controls. Like most puzzle games, this is what gets you hooked before things start getting tricky. The aim of the game is to navigate a rusty cuboid-shaped block across a level and into a square hole at the end. It sounds very simple, but as you’ll see below, the levels get complex quickly.
For computers or laptops, the arrow keys make the block move in different directions along its two axes. Right and left arrows will roll the block sideways, along its y-axis, while up and down flips it vertically, along its x-axis. You can play on mobile too with no influence on the gameplay as a set of arrow keys will appear on screen.
Learn the dimensions
Bloxorz levels are made up of 1x1 squares connected together to make a suspended platform. The block is 2 squares long, and 1 square wide. Usually, the platforms are made up of some wider sections and a few narrow ones that shrink down to the width of one square.
This means that you will only be able to get across the narrow sections if you line up for it in the correct way. Using the wider sections is key for this as you’ll need the space to maneuver properly. Knowing how long the block is really comes in handy here as it's easy to forget how close you are to the edge. Before you know it, you’ll be tumbling off and starting all over again!
Plan ahead
Logic games like Bloxorz are all about the long game. Your first move is as important as your last because you won’t be able to complete a Bloxorz level without thinking about the problems you’ll have to overcome. To get across a narrow passageway later in a level, you will need to make certain moves early on in order to line up correctly. Diving straight in will soon leave you stuck.
There are also the orange tiles to think about. These special tiles disappear from underneath the block if you stand vertically on them, leaving you tumbling into the void. Thinking about the orange blocks before you reach them is vital because you’ll need to make sure you are in a position to traverse them without standing vertically.
Know the switch types
Bloxorz gets much harder once the switches start appearing. There are three types: circular, x-shaped, and bracket-shaped. The circular ones are ‘soft switches’, meaning they can be pressed using any form of contact with the block. X-shaped ones are ‘hard switches’, meaning they need more pressure and can only be pressed with the block standing up on its end. These two buttons create bridges between two bits of disconnected platform.
The bracket-shaped buttons split the block into two equal 1x1 cubes. From then on, only one cube can be controlled at a time, switching between the two with the spacebar and rejoining the two halves by placing them next to each other. The cubes cannot operate hard switches again, so planning ahead on when best to split the blocks is key.
Use the saving and level codes to practice
One area where the Bloxorz game developers were forgiving, in comparison to something like the World’s Hardest Game, was saving. Bloxorz automatically saves your progress as you go, meaning you can leave the game and return to the same level whenever you want.
This is a great tool to use to practice the mechanics of Bloxorz because it means you can keep playing levels without the fear of having to start the game all over again. Practice is the best way to get better at something, so playing a bit, taking a break, and coming back is an effective way to get through those tough levels.
Watch a walkthrough
If all else fails, there’s always the option of watching a walkthrough on YouTube. After all, you’re not a robot with some complicated algorithms guiding you perfectly every time. Getting a helping hand is never something to be ashamed of and we won’t blame you for it, some of those later levels are super tough!
Think you’re already an expert at Bloxorz and feeling brave? Then why not read about attempting a speedrun along with some other Coolmath Games classics for a new challenge.
