Your pointer drags a short line of light around a dark arena, and that line is the only weapon you get. Close it into a loop around a blue orb and the orb is yours. Close it around a red one and you pay for it. Coil unblocked is a pure reflex test made by Hakim El Hattab, with no buttons to press once a run begins.
Rounds start slow and calm. After a minute or so the field fills with targets, and the real question becomes how cleanly you can draw while your eyes jump between corners.
How to play Coil
Click Start Game, then move the mouse or slide a finger. The trail follows you and only stays so long, so the tail keeps vanishing as you go. A catch happens the moment your line crosses over itself, and every orb inside that shape is collected.
Blue orbs are on a timer. When one starts to flicker and change color, it is close to bursting, and a burst knocks 30 points off your energy bar. Wrapping a red bomb costs the same 30. Each blue catch only refunds a single point of energy, so a few misses add up fast.
Catching orbs without slipping fills a multiplier that tops out at x4, and any burst or bomb resets it. Score also ticks up as long as you stay alive. Once energy hits zero the run is over and your total shows on the menu.
Controls
| To… | Mouse | Touch |
|---|---|---|
| Steer the trail | Move the mouse (no clicking needed) | Drag your finger across the play area |
| Start or restart a game | Click "Start Game" | Tap "Start Game" |
| Turn off background effects if the game runs slowly | Click "Disable grid effects?" when the warning appears | Tap "Disable grid effects?" when the warning appears |
Tips
- Trace figure eights. Crossing your own path is the whole trick, and a sideways eight crosses twice per pass, giving you two chances to catch something.
- Clear the flickering ones first. A fresh blue orb can wait. The one that has changed color is about to cost you energy.
- Think of x4 as a bank. A high multiplier makes each catch worth far more, so a careful run without bombs beats a sloppy run with extra catches.
- Leave red bombs to time out. They disappear by themselves, so draw around them, not across them.
- Switch off the grid if it stutters. If the warning about slow effects shows up, accept it. A smooth trail matters more than the background ripples.
Coil questions
Do I need to click while playing?
No. After you press Start Game, steering is all movement. Just keep the pointer or your finger on the play area and draw.
Why did my multiplier drop back to x1?
Either an orb burst before you reached it or one of your loops closed around a red bomb. Both reset the multiplier, so it pays to stay patient with crowded spots.
Does Coil work on a tablet or phone?
Yes. Drag your finger to steer, and the whole field scales to fit the screen. Holding the device sideways gives you the widest area to draw in.
