Pathloom

Pathloom is a maze game about reading a layout and choosing the shortest way through it. A glowing orb starts in one corner, a pink portal waits somewhere far away, and a thread of light follows the orb to show where you have been.

How to play

1. On the start screen, press Play level. The arrows beside the button let you pick any level you have already unlocked.
2. Move the orb with the arrow keys or WASD. On a touch screen, drag or swipe: the orb follows the corridor until it reaches a junction or a dead end.
3. Reach the portal to clear the level and unlock the next one.
4. Press H (or the sparkle button) to draw the shortest route from where you stand for three seconds.
5. Press P or Esc to pause, R to restart the level, and M to switch the sounds off.

What you see on screen

• Top bar: the level, the running time, and your moves next to the length of the shortest route.
• The maze: glowing walls, your orb, and a thread of light behind it.
• Result card: stars, your time and the fastest time you have saved for that level.

Stars

Every step into a new square counts as a move. Finish within 25 percent of the shortest route for three stars, within 80 percent for two, and anything longer earns one. Using the hint caps the result at two stars. The timer starts on your first move and stops the moment you reach the portal, but stars depend only on moves.

Tips

• Look at the whole layout before the first move. The portal is always in the part of the maze that is hardest to reach.
• Take dead ends seriously: every one you enter costs two moves.
• Read our maze game tips for the numbers behind the star limits.

Frequently asked questions

How big do the mazes get?

The first is 8 by 5 squares and the tenth is 36 by 20. After that every level is a large maze with a new layout. On a phone held upright the grid is narrower and taller.

Can every maze be solved?

Yes. Each layout is generated so that every square can be reached from the start, and we checked 40 levels in both orientations.

Does the game keep my progress?

Yes, in your browser: unlocked levels, stars and fastest times.

Does it have sound?

Short effects for steps, bumps, hints and a cleared level. Press M or the speaker button to turn them off.

Can I play on a phone?

Yes. Drag or swipe anywhere on the maze to steer the orb.

Is Pathloom free to play?

Yes. You can play it in your browser on Yes This Game with no download and no sign-up.