ZOO Hidden Stars

Every stage hands you a small, self-contained problem with a clean answer somewhere inside it. Matching three, sliding blocks, connecting pipes, rotating tiles; the mechanics change but the feeling is constant. You test an idea, watch it fail, adjust. Later stages layer two or three rules together so the obvious move is usually the wrong one. It is quiet, methodical play.

• Mouse or tap to play

1. 1Read the goal shown at the top of the stage, such as a target score, a shape to fill, or a path to complete.
2. 2Drag or tap to move pieces; try one move and watch what the board does before committing to a plan.
3. 3Count your remaining moves if the game shows them, and save the big combinations for when you need them.
4. 4Use the hint or undo button when offered. There is no penalty on most stages, and it beats staring at the screen.

• 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 Puzzles

Short, finishable chunks. A stage of ZOO Hidden Stars takes a couple of minutes, which makes it a good match for a wait at the bus stop or the last five minutes of a lunch break. It loads in a tab without an install, so there is nothing to clean up afterwards.

Suits adults who want a calm break and children old enough to read simple instructions. Casual players will find the early stages gentle, and anyone who enjoys sudoku or crosswords should feel at home.

Do I need to install anything to play ZOO Hidden Stars?

No. It runs in your browser the moment you press Play. There is no download, no account and no plugin to add.

How hard does it get?

Early stages are deliberately gentle so you learn the rules by doing. Difficulty usually climbs steadily, and later stages assume you have picked up the earlier tricks.

What should I do if the game will not load?

Refresh the tab first. If it still hangs, check that your browser is up to date and that no extension is blocking scripts, then try again in a private window.