After building tools for OSM managers, I wanted to make something you can enjoy in a spare five minutes: a puzzle that rewards planning the same way a good tactic does. The result is Carve, my new mobile game, and I'd love for you to try it.
What is Carve?
Carve is a number puzzle game. The board is full of numbered blocks, and at the top there's a target, say 10. Drag your finger through touching blocks so their numbers add up to the target exactly. Get it right and those blocks are carved away, new ones fall in, and the board changes.
It sounds simple, and the first levels are. But every level gives you a limited number of paths and a set of goals, so you quickly start thinking ahead: which numbers to use now, which to save, and how to reach the blocks that matter.
How to play
- Drag through touching blocks to build a path.
- Match the target exactly: not one more, not one less.
- Complete the goals before you run out of paths.
A new challenge every few levels
Just when you think you've mastered it, something new shows up. Each world introduces a new obstacle with a gentle level to learn it, then mixes it with the ones you already know:
- Weights you need to bring down to the floor
- Slate and boulders that crack when you carve next to them
- Frozen numbers to thaw before you can use them
- Moss spreading on the board that you need to clear
- Bombs counting down with every path
- Vaults, springs and locks that change how you plan every move
Every tenth level is a Hard level with a bigger reward, and every thirtieth is Super Hard. They're tough, but every level can be beaten without spending anything.
Power-ups, helpers and boosters
Carve a long path and it leaves a power-up behind: a Rocket that clears a whole line, or a Blast that clears everything around it. Put two in the same path for a huge combo.
When you're stuck, five helpers have your back: Swap, Chisel, two Saws and Shuffle. You can also start tough levels with Rocket and Blast boosters, and winning several levels in a row gives you free power-ups on the next one.
A new puzzle every day
The Daily Puzzle is the same board for every player in the world. Solve it in as few paths as you can, keep your streak going, share your result with friends, and see where you rank on the leaderboard.
Why you might like it
| If you like… | You'll enjoy in Carve |
|---|---|
| Planning ahead | Limited paths and goals that reward thinking two moves ahead |
| Quick sessions | Short levels you can finish on a coffee break |
| Steady progress | Many worlds, daily rewards, star chests and world chests |
| Competing | The Daily Puzzle leaderboard and shareable results |
| Playing anywhere | Levels work offline, with no timers and no rush |
Play Carve for free
Carve is free on Android. It's made by a solo developer, so every download, rating and piece of feedback genuinely helps. If you enjoy it, leaving a review on Google Play makes a real difference.