The first stages are usually gentle introductions. Difficulty rises steadily, and later maps expect you to have learned the basics. Expect some retries.

On desktop a mouse makes placing and selecting easy. On phones and tablets, touch does the same job, though a larger screen helps.

How long should I set aside?

At least fifteen minutes for a stage. Many players settle in for longer. There is usually a pause or save option if you need to step away.

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Browser game · Strategy

Smash

In Smash, dive into a thrilling reimagining of hide and seek.

4.2

Category: Strategy
Score: 4.2
Device: Mobile + Desktop
Access: Free Play
Controls: Touch + Keyboard
Type: HTML5 Game

The guide

Overview

In Smash, dive into a thrilling reimagining of hide and seek. Disguise yourself as objects to collect keys as a hider, or hunt down cleverly camouflaged players as a smasher. Rely on stealth, strategy, and quick reflexes in this dynamic and suspenseful multiplayer experience.

What it's like to play

More to play

24 games

Resources, positions, timing. Strategy games hand you those three levers and let you work out how they interact. A session starts slow, with a few decisions about where to build or who to move. Then the pressure arrives in waves or turns, and you find out whether your early choices were sound. The pace is deliberate. The mistakes are instructive. A good map takes several tries.

Controls

Tap, hold and swipe on phones and tablets
Mouse or trackpad on a computer; arrow keys or WASD where the game asks for movement
Press Escape or the exit button to leave the full-screen player

How to play

1Read the win condition on the stage screen, since strategy games vary between survive, destroy and capture.
2Scout the map before placing anything. Look for narrow paths, high ground or resource spots.
3Build or move in small steps and watch the outcome before committing more.
4Keep a reserve of resources for emergencies rather than spending everything at once.

Features

Free to play, nothing to install, no account needed
Loads in the browser tab and opens full screen when you press Play
Designed for a phone held upright
Touch controls on phones and tablets, mouse and keyboard on a computer
Listed under Strategy

Why it's worth a go

Smash rewards attention and planning, and it runs free in the browser with nothing to download or sign up for. Sessions are longer and quieter than most browser games, which makes it a good fit for an evening rather than a bus ride, though you can stop at any point.

Who it's for

Suits players who enjoy thinking ahead and managing resources. Teens and adults form the core audience, with older children who like puzzles not far behind. It suits a desktop or tablet best.

FAQs

Is Smash difficult?: The first stages are usually gentle introductions. Difficulty rises steadily, and later maps expect you to have learned the basics. Expect some retries.
Do I need a mouse?: On desktop a mouse makes placing and selecting easy. On phones and tablets, touch does the same job, though a larger screen helps.
How long should I set aside?: At least fifteen minutes for a stage. Many players settle in for longer. There is usually a pause or save option if you need to step away.