How to Play High Tide

A bioluminescent merge puzzle. Combine matching tiles to push back a rising tide.

The basics

  • Swipe up, down, left, or right to slide every tile on the board.
  • Two tiles with the same number merge into one tile of double the value.
  • Each merge scores points and pushes the tide down.
  • A new tile spawns after every move.

The tide

  • The tide rises on a countdown. When it reaches zero, the water climbs one row.
  • Tiles submerged under water for 3 moves are washed away.
  • If the water reaches the top row, or you run out of moves, the game ends.
  • Merging drops the tide. Big merges drop it further.

Special tiles

🌸 Pearl — the wildcard

Merges with any numbered tile as if it were a matching twin. Pearl + 32 = 64. Two Pearls merge into a 4.

🟫 Sandbag — the blocker

Cannot merge, but its column stops flooding for as long as it stands. Lasts 5 tide-rises, then crumbles. Stack them under pressure to buy time.

🌙 Moonstone — the tide freeze

Merge with anything to freeze the tide for 3 moves. Use the pause to set up a large chain merge.

Strategy tips

  • Anchor your biggest tile in a corner and build toward it.
  • Chain merges in a single swipe — they score more and push the tide harder.
  • Save a Moonstone for when the tide is one row from the top.
  • Place Sandbags in the columns holding your highest-value tiles.
  • Don't waste Pearls on small tiles; hold them for a jump merge.
Start playing →