Space Tiles for beginners: your first ten minutes
Your first ten minutes in Space Tiles are easy on purpose. You pick a save slot, then fix three tiny planets while ROB the robot shows you how to drag, how to turn and how to use a power-up. This page walks you through it, step by step.
Step 1: open the game and pick a save slot
Space Tiles opens in your web browser. First you see a short Contenta intro, then the Space Tiles title. Tap Skip if you don't want to wait.
Next comes the Save slots screen with three cards: Save 1, Save 2 and Save 3. Each one is a separate game with its own stars and power-ups. A new card says Not played yet. Tap New game on any card to start. Next time, the card shows how many levels you have done and when you last played, and the button says Continue. More about slots is on saving and settings.
On a phone or tablet, hold the screen sideways. If you hold it upright while you play, a card says Turn your device sideways.
Step 2: look at the map
The map is your home screen. At the top you see:
- the Space Tiles logo;
- Galaxy 1, with arrow buttons to switch galaxies;
- the Daily puzzle button;
- a gear button for Settings.
Below is Your space station, with 12 empty parts and the line "0 of 12 parts built". Then come the 36 planets of the galaxy, and the Big Junk Ship at the very end. Planet 1 glows: that is the next one to play. Planets you can't play yet show a lock.
Step 3: fix planet 1
Tap Planet 1. ROB pops up with his first tip: drag a tile into the frame and fill every square. Tap OK.
Planet 1 is a frame of 3 × 3 squares with 3 tiles. The tiles float gently in the tray beside the frame, as if there were no gravity.
- Press on a tile and drag it into the frame.
- While you drag, a dashed outline shows where the tile will land. Green means it fits. Red means it doesn't.
- Let go. If it fits, it snaps into place. If it doesn't, nothing happens and it costs nothing.
- Do the same with the other tiles until no empty square is left.
On a touch screen the tile rides a little above your finger, so your finger doesn't hide it. Every way to play is on the controls page.
Step 4: read the result card
When the last square is filled, the tiles glow and the result card opens: Planet fixed! You see:
- your stars, from 1 to 3;
- a line like "You used 3 moves. For 3 stars: 5 or fewer.";
- You got: with your reward, here a Plasma torch;
- three little dots for the next part of your space station.
Then choose Next for the next planet, Play again to try for more stars, or Map. On planet 1 you get 3 stars with 5 moves or fewer. How moves work is on moves and stars.
Step 5: planet 2 and turning tiles
Planet 2 is 4 × 4 squares with 4 tiles. ROB's second tip: tap a tile to turn it. Each tap turns it a quarter of the way round, clockwise. On a computer you click the tile or press R.
Look at the empty space, then at the tile. Turn it until it matches, then drag it in. Each turn counts as a move, so think first. For 3 stars on planet 2 you need 8 moves or fewer.
Step 6: planet 3 and your first power-up
Planet 3 is 4 × 3 squares, a bit wider than it is tall. ROB gives you a Magnet. Tap the magnet button on the left, then tap a tile. Its spot glows yellow. Tap Use it, and whoosh, the tile jumps to its spot, already turned the right way. A power-up never costs a move.
When planet 3 is fixed, you get a Plasma torch and a Magnet, and the first part of your space station is ready! All three power-ups are explained on their own page.
Step 7: keep going
From here, the planets slowly get bigger, with more tiles. Now and then a smaller one gives you a rest. If you get stuck:
- Tap Hint (the ? button). The spot of the biggest tile that is not in place glows for a few seconds.
- Tap Undo to take back your last step.
- Open the pause menu (the ❚❚ button) and choose How to play. It shows the goal, the controls and the moves you need for 3 stars on this board.
You can't lose. Take as long as you like.
See also
- Puzzle tips: easy habits for more stars.
- Galaxies and planets: what comes after galaxy 1.
- FAQ: quick answers.
- Ready? Play Space Tiles.
