You’ve probably played, or at least heard of, the popular video game Minesweeper . Did you know that you can play Minesweeper and other games of this generation on any Google device?
This game was created by Robert Donner and Curt Johnson and has been a challenge on screens for over 30 years . It was pre-installed on the operating system of older Windows, which allowed many people to have the opportunity to try it.
Despite being so popular, most players have never managed to win a game, especially at the highest difficulty level . Here I show you how deduction and observation will help you overcome the challenge.
How can I access the game?
To play, just open Google and type the word “Minesweeper in” into the search engine , and the Play option will appear as the first one on the list. The game has been integrated into Google Play for several years along with other versions of games such as Solitaire , Snake, Pac-Mac , among others.
There is also a free app called Google Play Games where you will find these games and many others of this style. From here, you can access them without having to be connected to the Internet.
This version of Google Minesweeper is different from the original, more colorful and simplified to fit mobile screens . You can play the classic version of the game, which features the original interface, from the website without installing it.
The classic version of the game allows you to choose between different difficulty levels and features a record system to test your skills . These levels of complexity are:
- Beginner Level : 8 squares high, 8 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 are like me, who at first touched random cells hoping not to hit a mine . Clearly, this method is not effective at all. The game is more complex than it seems, but knowing the rules and with a few tricks you could easily learn to win.
When you open the Google Play game, you will find a board of green squares that you will have to interact with . It shows a stopwatch to measure the time it takes you to complete the level . At the top, you will see a bar where you can modify 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 in which you will see numbers, these indicate the presence of mines around them .
The number tells us how many mines are located in the surrounding cells . For example, if it is a “2”, it means that there will be exactly 2 mines in the cells around it . These will be located in any of the 8 cells (there may be fewer if they are in the corners) that touch the cell with the “2”. It is up to you to discard and find out where the mine is, in order to continue touching the other cells.
To start the game , tap on the cell of your choice or use the left click if you are playing on PC . You have the option to mark with a red flag the place where you think there may be a mine . You must pay attention to what each number indicates and its position to choose the correct square.
As you clear the cells, 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 will lose the game. You win if you manage to spot all the mines and clear the rest of the cells .
Some recommendations to win
- Start with the easy stuff : Don’t try to take on too much right away. I recommend learning the basics on the lower difficulty levels first . With fewer cells and a smaller proportion of mines, you’ll be able to practice before moving on to higher difficulties.
- Start at the vertices and sides of the board : Starting from the outside in is the best way to move forward. In these areas, the cells have fewer neighbors and it is easier to keep track of the possible mine locations .
- Start with the lowest numbers : The area around a 1 is easier to clear as you will have a 1 in 8 risk (or worse if it has open or inaccessible surrounding cells). From this point, new routes will open up that will allow you to discover more numbers and cleared areas, running less risk.
- Mark the places where you think there are mines : If you think you have found a dangerous square, do not hesitate to use the flag to mark it . This will help you avoid detonating it by mistake and will help you better visualize your options .
- Learn to identify patterns : With experience, you will find very useful patterns. If you see a 3 on the edge of a cleared area and aligned with other numbers, mark the boxes next to the 3. If you find the numbers 1, 2 and 1 aligned, you must mark the box next to the 1 and uncover the box next to the 2.
- You will have to rely on luck : Sometimes, knowing the rules and using a few tricks is not enough to clearly know which square is the right one. In these cases, there is nothing wrong with taking a risk and remembering that it is just a game and even the most experienced can easily lose.
In the classic version of the game we have another option that can be useful. When you double-right-click on a cell, a question mark will appear . This sign 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 think carefully about each move . My biggest recommendation is that you try the video games offered by Google, I am sure you will have a very entertaining time.