Dot Clash brings classroom Dots and Boxes online with daily puzzles and boss fights
Overview & Key Takeaways
Every school produced the same doodle. Two people, one exercise book, a grid of dots in the margin and about forty minutes of quiet warfare while somebody at the front explained long division. Dot Clash takes that and coats the whole thing in those minorly annoying neon lights. The rules have not moved an inch. You take turns drawing a line between two dots, and closing the fourth side of a box claims it and hands you another go. Chaining those captures is the entire point. Getting greedy about it is how you gift somebody half the board in one go, as anyone who lost a lunch break to this will remember. ... [MORE]
Yes. Boss fights
- Classic Dots and Boxes goes online
- Campaign includes 100 levels and bosses
- Daily puzzles and local multiplayer included
Every school produced the same doodle. Two people, one exercise book, a grid of dots in the margin and about forty minutes of quiet warfare while somebody at the front explained long division. Dot Clash takes that and coats the whole thing in those minorly annoying neon lights.
The rules have not moved an inch. You take turns drawing a line between two dots, and closing the fourth side of a box claims it and hands you another go. Chaining those captures is the entire point. Getting greedy about it is how you gift somebody half the board in one go, as anyone who lost a lunch break to this will remember.
Challenge a Friend is the online 1v1 mode, with invites sent by link or a six-digit code and turns capped at thirty seconds. Three boards to choose from - Classic 6x6, a faster 4x4 Blitz, and a 5x5 called Fortress. Head-to-head records are tracked across rematches, so grudges are supported.
Campaign runs to 100 levels spread over five worlds, with twelve boss fights in there. Boss fights in dots and boxes is a phrase I did not expect to write today, though I am curious what a boss even does. There is a Daily Puzzle too, a fresh board each morning with bonus rewards for winning it.
Local pass-and-play is the mode I wouldn’t mind using. One device, adjustable grid size, and someone sat opposite you. Just like old times, with a touch of technological advancement.
Power-ups are in here as well, covering hints, holds, extra turns and comeback mechanics, which I am mildly sceptical about in something this stripped back. Better news is that the match timer pauses when you leave the app, so a stray notification will not cost you a turn.
If neon grids are not doing it for you, our list of the best arcade games on iOS has plenty more to be getting on with.
