Addictive, strategic, and a great way to pass the time, 2048 is a web-based and mobile platform game which is fast becoming popular all over the world due to its simple, yet effective playing technique. Read this Techspirited article to know few crazy tips and methods, which might increase your chances of excelling at this game.
In 2048, even after reaching the tile numbered 2048, you can still play ahead and reach higher tiles like 4096, 6144, 12288, etc. The highest possible tile is 131072 (217), the highest possible score is 3932100, while the most number of moves that one can make are 131052. While reaching such levels is mathematically possible, it is highly difficult and improbable.
2048 was developed by Gabriele Cirulli in 2014. In the month of May 2014, the game was released on the Android and iOS operating systems in a free download format. Later, many new modifications were done to the game. This included the scoreboard, which shows the ever-changing summation of the points scored, and also the high-score box beside it. Numerous versions involving different appearances, higher and lesser number of tiles, 3D puzzles, etc., have now been derived from the original 2048 game.
The game consists of a grid of sixteen tiles on which new numbers appear. By sliding in four directions―left, right, up, and down―the numbered tiles can be shifted to that particular direction. All the tiles will shift when this is done, and if a tile is not blocked by another one, it will shift till the opposite wall end. While swiping, the same numbers will add up to create a new tile: like 2 plus 2 will give a number 4 tile, 8 plus 8 will give a number 16 tile, etc. The objective of the game is to keep adding the tiles and attempt to reach the number 2048. After one slide, a new number will appear on the grid, either a 2 or a 4. You need to keep as many grids empty as possible, and at the same time, effectively continue with the addition of same-numbered tiles. The game ends when all 16 blocks are filled with numbers, and no more moves are possible.
2048 Puzzle Game Tips, Tricks, and Strategies
Trick No. 1
Try to build chains of the same numbers side by side to collapse them easily. This helps in making a stable structure on the grid that is easier to collapse, and to clear the playing area in the initial stages.
In this image, a chain of two 4s and 8s is being built up, and when the tiles collapse, higher numbered tiles of 8 and 16 will be formed. This will clear the left side of the grid.
Trick No. 2
Build a progressive chain of numbers, i.e., 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, etc., along a specific direction (mostly towards the right or left). Also, if the row ends, then start the next number from the tile just below the previous one, and continue.
This photograph shows a series of progressive numbers, starting from the center and proceeding towards the left, and continuing in the form of 32 in the second row, 1st tile. The collapsing becomes much easier in such cases.
Trick No. 3
When you start getting higher numbers, stack them in a corner. If the field is cleared off at a point, and only one highest tile is present, push it to a corner. Avoid keeping the highest value tile in the center. The newly formed 2s and 4s can be kept in the center.
The number 64 is placed in a corner, and is surrounded by lesser valued numbers like 2, 4, and 8. As the center area is cleared off, possibly leading to another 64, that can be merged with the previous one to form higher numbers like 128.
Trick No. 4
If a series of high-numbered tiles are obtained, then it is better to keep them stable on either the upper or lower side. The remaining ones should be used for collapsing or generating new tiles.
In this image, the higher numbers like 256 are retained in the upper sections, while the lesser numbers are present in the central portions, for making it easy to collapse. The tiles thus generated can be added to the preexisting upper higher numbers.
Trick No. 5
The playing field should be cleared as much as possible between the moves intermittently, and also at the right moment. This can be done by collapsing the grid by adding up all the small-valued and similar numbers like 2, 4, 8, etc.
As shown in this photograph, the tile valued 32 was formed and was pushed to one side, thus clearing the grid. Thus, the newly formed numbers can be easily collapsed, and the field gets cleared again.
Trick No. 6
If a very high number is sandwiched between two smaller numbers, and is in a corner or near one, then change the direction of the higher number by trying to shift it towards the left. This will increase the chances of forming similar counterparts near the highest-valued tile.
The number 32 is sandwiched between two tiles having number 2 in the bottom left corner of the grid; one is present to the right while the other is present above the 32. After swiping towards the left, the second image shows that number 32 is freed from the corner position, simultaneously building up a chain of smaller tiles for easy collapsing.
Trick No. 7
If too many numbers are present on the grid with less options to collapse, then keep the fourth column sorted, i.e., build as many counterparts as possible, preferably on the left side. Starting from this column, the same can be used successively to clear the third, second, and first column.
In the first image, towards the left side, the options for collapsing the grid are less, and hence, the fourth column is sorted out with a chain of tiles having the value 2. Thus, the fourth column can be easily collapsed, as shown in the second image, and the resultant numbers can be added to the other column tiles.
Trick No. 8
One of the most important strategies is to try to solve the puzzle by building in only three directions. Use the fourth direction only when there is no other option available. This is done so that in the later stages, any column kept open can be used to add the smaller numbers.
In these images, it is seen that all the numbers are first shifted towards the right, followed by swiping towards the left (second image). Finally, the tiles are shifted down, collapsing the grid further and clearing off the central area. Note that the fourth direction, i.e., towards the upper side, is not used.
Trick No. 9
Use the upward and/or downward directions for collapsing the grid. This can be followed even if a series of high-value numbers are not present during the initial stages of the game. Avoid changing direction, unless there is no option.
In the first image, two tiles numbered 4 each are placed side by side, and by swiping towards the upper direction, they are collapsed, as seen in the second photograph. In the third image, a similar positioning of two tiles numbered 16 are placed in the fourth column. By swiping down, a higher numbered tile is created, simultaneously leading to the positioning of higher numbers near the corners. The lesser valued tiles on the right can be easily collapsed to clear off the field.
Trick No. 10
Lastly, always keep calm and do not make any quick and hasty moves. If you combine a chain of moves that are not based on any strategy, then you might end up with the higher numbers getting sandwiched between the smaller numbered tiles. It is difficult to solve the puzzle in this position.
If you play in a hasty manner without implementing proper strategies, the chances of the game ending sooner increase!
Note that the tricks and tips mentioned above will not guarantee a win in this game, as it is actually not so easy as it seems. These are just some helpful pointers which will surely increase your odds of at least reaching up to a decent high score, if not the number 2048. After all, apart from using several strategies and planned approaches for such puzzles, the factor of being lucky enough to get the right numbers also determines the success rate.