Boxes Blackout

The classic line-drawing game with the lights off, where you only learn your rival's moves when a box closes.

How to play

Take turns drawing one line between two adjacent dots. Complete the fourth side of a box to claim it and take another turn. The twist: your opponent's lines stay invisible until they close a box, so you play with incomplete information.

• Draw one line per turn between neighbouring dots
• Closing a box claims it and grants an extra turn
• Your own lines and all finished boxes are visible
• Most boxes when the grid fills wins

Controls

• Desktop: click the gap between two dots to draw a line
• Phone & tablet: tap between two dots

Game modes

• Versus CPU on Easy, Medium or Hard
• Two-player hotseat with a pass-device screen that hides the board
• Online play
• Board sizes of 3x3 or 5x5 boxes

Tips & strategy

• Avoid drawing the third side of a box, which hands your rival a free claim
• Hidden enemy lines mean a 'safe' move may not be safe, so weigh the risk
• Late game, set up chains so one mistake by your opponent cascades into many boxes

About Boxes Blackout

Boxes Blackout is an original free browser twist on the classic dots-and-boxes pencil game, adding hidden information for fresh tension. No download required.

A free, original browser game on PlayPendium — no download, no install. Browse all games →