You’ve probably played, or at least heard of, the popular video game Minesweeper . Did you know you can play Minesweeper and other games of this generation on any Google-powered device?This game, created by Robert Donner and Curt Johnson, has been a challenging game on screen for over 30 years . It was pre-installed on older Windows operating systems, giving many people the opportunity to try it out.
Despite its popularity, most players have never managed to win a game, especially on the highest difficulty level . Here, I’ll show you how deduction and observation will help you overcome the challenge.
How can I access the game?
To play, simply open Google and type the word “Minesweeper” into the search box . The Play option will appear first on the list. The game has been integrated into Google Play for several years, along with other versions of games like Solitaire , Snake, Pac-Mac , and others.
There’s also a free app called Google Play Games where you’ll find these games and many others like them. From here, you can access them offline.
This version of Google Minesweeper is different from the original, more colorful and simplified to fit mobile device screens . You can play the classic version of the game, which features the original interface, from the website without having to install it.
The classic version of the game allows you to choose between different difficulty levels and features a high-score system to test your skills . These difficulty levels are:
- Beginner Level : 8 squares high, 8 squares wide, and 10 mines.
- Intermediate Level : 16 squares high, 16 wide and 40 mines.
- Expert Level : 16 squares high, 30 wide and 99 mines.
- Custom Level : This option allows you to choose both the number of mines and the grid size for each game to suit your preferences.
You can find other versions of the game that can be installed for free on the Play Store and Apple Store .
How do you play minesweeper?
Maybe you’re like me, who initially tapped random cells hoping not to run into a mine . Clearly, this method isn’t very effective. The game is more complex than it seems, but with a few tricks and rules, you can easily learn to win.
When you open the Google Play store, you’ll find a green square board with which you’ll have to interact . It displays a stopwatch to measure the time it takes to complete the level . At the top, you’ll see a bar where you can adjust the difficulty and see the number of mines .
Both the classic game and the Google version work on the same basis. The goal is to clear the entire area of cells without detonating a single mine . Tapping on cells will reveal an area with numbers, indicating the presence of mines around them .
The number tells us how many mines are located in the surrounding cells . For example, if it’s a “2,” it means that there will be exactly two mines in the surrounding squares . These will be located in any of the 8 cells (there may be fewer if they’re in the corners) that touch the cell with the “2.” It’s up to you to discard and figure out where the mine is, then continue touching the other cells.
To start the game , tap the cell of your choice or left-click if you’re playing on PC . You have the option to mark with a red flag the spot where you think a mine might be located . You must pay attention to what each number indicates and its position to choose the correct cell.
As you clear the squares, more numbers and clues will appear to help you move forward . If you accidentally touch a mine, it will explode, revealing the location of the rest, and you’ll lose the game. You win if you manage to spot all the mines and clear the remaining squares .
Some recommendations to win
- Start easy : Don’t try to take on too much from the start. I recommend learning the basics on the lower difficulty levels first . With fewer cells and a lower proportion of mines, you’ll be able to practice before moving on to higher difficulties.
- Start at the vertices and sides of the board : Working from the outside in is the best way to advance. In these areas, cells have fewer neighbors, and it’s easier to keep track of potential mine locations .
- Start with the lowest numbers : The area around a 1 is easiest to clear, as you’ll have a 1 in 8 risk (or worse if there are open or inaccessible surrounding cells). From this point, new routes will open up, allowing you to discover more numbers and cleared areas at a lower risk.
- Mark suspected mine sites : If you think you’ve found a dangerous square, don’t hesitate to use the flag to mark it . This will prevent you from accidentally detonating it and will help you better visualize your options .
- Learn to identify patterns : With experience, you’ll discover very useful patterns. If you see a 3 on the edge of a clear area and aligned with other numbers, mark the squares touching the 3. If you find the numbers 1, 2, and 1 aligned, you should mark the square next to the 1 and uncover the one next to the 2.
- You’ll have to rely on luck : Sometimes, knowing the rules and using a few tricks isn’t enough to clearly know which square is the correct one. In these cases, there’s nothing wrong with taking a risk and remembering that it’s just a game , and even the most experienced players can easily lose.
In the classic version of the game, we have another option that can be useful. Double-clicking on a cell with the right mouse button will display a question mark . This mark allows us to identify places where there might be mines and guides us if we don’t know what to do.
In conclusion, to achieve victory in Minesweeper, you must be patient, practice, and carefully consider each move . My best recommendation is to try the games offered by Google; I’m sure you’ll have a great time.
And that’s all, let me know in the comments if you already knew how to play Minesweeper, and if you knew it was on Google.
