Lanternbow

Lanternbow is a first-person archery game that runs in your browser. You stand in a pagoda courtyard with a bow in your hand, paper lanterns hang around the buildings and every lantern is a target. Each level gives you a set number of arrows, so you have to make your shots count.

How to play

1. Press the round Play button. The upgrade screen shows your coins and three bows; the first one is already selected.
2. Press the arrow button at the bottom right, then pick level 1. The other nine slots show a lock.
3. Look at the top left: the first counter is your arrows and the second is the targets left. Level one starts with 6 arrows and 4 targets.
4. Press and hold the mouse button. The bow rises, the view zooms in and a small crosshair appears in the middle of the screen.
5. Move the mouse to turn the view until the crosshair sits on a lantern.
6. Release the button. The arrow leaves the bow with a yellow trail, the view goes back to the start and the arrow counter drops by one.
7. If the arrows run out while lanterns are left, a Level Fail panel appears with a home button and a retry button.

What you see on screen

• Arrow counter: the top counter on the left, next to a small bow and arrow icon.
• Target counter: the counter under it, next to a red and white target icon.
• Back button: a round arrow at the top right that leaves the level.
• Upgrade screen: Coins : 0 at the start, one selected bow and two locked bows with the prices 500 and 1000.
• Level screen: ten slots; only the first one is open at the start.

Game features

• First-person aiming with a raised bow, a zoom and a crosshair
• Paper lanterns as targets in a pagoda courtyard with cherry trees and a dragon-topped roof
• A limited number of arrows on every level
• Ten level slots and three bows that cost coins
• Mouse and touch controls, no sign-up and no ads inside the game

Controls

• Press and hold the left mouse button: raise the bow and zoom in
• Move the mouse while holding: aim; the crosshair stays in the middle of the screen
• Release the button: shoot
• On a touch screen: touch and hold, drag to aim, lift your finger to shoot

Tips

• Count before you shoot. Level one gives you 6 arrows for 4 lanterns, so you can miss twice and still clear it.
• Drag while you hold. In our tests a press and release without moving the mouse did not use an arrow, while a slow drag did.
• Aim, then release. You do not need to hold for a long time: holds from 0.4 to 1.0 seconds all shot an arrow in our tests.
• Do not rush the next shot. After you release, the view returns to the start before the next aim begins.
• Read our archery game tips for the test numbers behind these tips.

Frequently asked questions

How do you shoot in Lanternbow?

Press and hold the mouse button to raise the bow, move the mouse to aim the crosshair and release the button to shoot.

How many arrows do you get?

It depends on the level. Level one starts with 6 arrows and 4 targets, shown in the counters at the top left.

What happens when the arrows run out?

If lanterns are still standing, a Level Fail panel appears with a home button and a retry button.

Why did my click not fire an arrow?

In our tests a press and release without moving the mouse used no arrow, while a drag did. Hold the button and move the mouse a little before you let go.

How many levels are there?

The level screen shows ten slots. Only level 1 is open at the start; the others show a lock.

Is Lanternbow free?

Yes. It is free to play in your browser on Yes This Game, with no download and no sign-up.

Can I play it on a phone?

Yes, in landscape. Turn the phone sideways, touch and hold, drag to aim and lift your finger to shoot. Held upright, the game asks you to turn the phone.