Monday, April 14, 2014

2048 Walkthrough Guide

2048
2048 Logo

Play Online: 2048
Developer: Gabriele Cirulle
Genre: Puzzle, Strategy

2048 Guide
2048 Walkthrough
I believe there is billion ways to form 2048. However, I have figured out a general solution to achieve 2048, some times even 4096 with a little luck. This walkthrough is not entirely foolproof. My winning rate is around 70-80%. Generally, I sticked to the strategy introduced here, and by avoiding some of the bad situations through trial & errors.

This game is actually not easy. Even with a sophisticated AI, the winning rate is not 100%, but 90%, according to the AI developer appeared on stackoverflow. Don't feel stupid, because you're not!

Here are some of my strategies and thought process of getting the winning number.

My Three-Golden Rules for 2048
- Arrow Restriction: Basically, use right, down & up only. Never swipe left.
- Always "fix" the 4th column.
- Always keep the 4th column sorted at all times.

2048 Labelled Guide
2048 Template
- Black Zone: Fixing Area
- Grey Zone: Primary Working Area
- Brown Zone: Secondary Working Area


Note: Please refer to the picture above when needed, each box are given a number.

1. Is the 4th column fully sorted with tiles?
At the back of my mind, I have set the 4th column as the "Fixing Area". By fixing, I mean filling in the 4th column with tiles and it is permanently stuck to the column. The main reason is so that you can avoid a junk piece coming into box 16 when you had to swipe the up key or cockblocking the working area, which I will talk about later. For now, ensuring that the 4th column of your board is filled with tiles at all times is halfway to winning. This step is important, I cant emphasize more!
>> Once done, proceed to step 2.

2. Is the 4th column in a downwards ascending order?
Now is the arranging part and tidying your 4th column. You are to arrange the tiles in ascending order from top to bottom in 4th column now! The tile bearing with the highest value should always be at the bottom right corner of your board, located at box 16. The value in box 12 must be any smaller than box 16, box 8 any smaller than box 12, and box 4 any smaller than box 8. If one of the box breaks the ascending order, you have a trouble merging numbers along the 4th column later in the game.
>> Proceed to step 3 if in downwards ascending order, otherwise jump to step 4.

3. Stack the numbers around the Primary Working Area, then merge into box 4.
Since the 4th column is already locked, you generally don't want to waste any unnecessary moves which might risk ending up in a really bad situation. With this, you should start building numbers around the smallest bearing tile along the 4th colmun, in this case box 4.

Basically, I divided the 3rd column into two areas; "Primary Working Area" and "Secondary Working Area". Primary Working Area is the zone nearest to box 4, which consist of box 3 and box 7. Your goal is to build numbers around box 3 and 7 which you eventually can collapse and merge into box 4. Make use of the rest of the boxes, I don't care how many boxes you going to use or how irregular the numbers turn out. As long you can merge the numbers from the primary working area to the fixing area, you are safe!
>> If you manage to merge the numbers into box 4, skip to step 5. Or else, go to step 4.

4. Stuck?
Don't worry! This is where the Secondary Working Area comes to the rescue. Box 11 and 15 are so-called your "Secondary Working Area". Why? Because if your Primary Working Area is blocked or, you accidentally merge a big value which leave you no room to work on. Then you can just simply slide the tiles to secondary working area! This will make space for your Primary Working Area, which you can continue to build numbers around and work towards merging into box 4.

Left with no choice, then choose to build your numbers around the Secondary Working Area then collapse them into any boxes along 4th column. Do not panic if your board starts to fill up. It's perfectly normal. Remember that there's a will, there's a way! Think slowly, flexibly and find shortcuts. Once you’ve done that, you’ll find your free space much more open again.
>> Proceed to step 5.

5. Can you collapse any number downwards at 4th column?
Saw any repeating numbers which you can merge downwards along 4th column? Merge them. Tada! Now, repeat from step 1 and fill up your 4th column with tiles until you achieve 2048. Good luck!
>> Repeat from step 1. Otherwise, go back to step 2.

2048 Game Walkthrough Video

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