Cat Trap
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About this game
Cat Trap is a small puzzle on a grid of hexagons: a cat sits in the middle and you have to fence it in before it runs off the edge. You place one block, the cat takes one step, and it always heads for the nearest way out. The rules take seconds to learn, but a cat two hops from freedom is hard to stop.
Practises: Logic and planning ahead
Made by another developer and hosted on Brainlag. This game also connects to: Google Fonts.
How to play
The board is an 11 by 11 grid of hexagons. Light green cells are open and dark green cells are blocked. Every new game starts with the cat in the centre and a scatter of random blocked cells already in place.
On your turn, click or tap any open cell to block it. Then the cat moves one cell, following the shortest open route it can find to the edge of the board. If it reaches an edge cell, it runs off the board and you lose the round.
You win when the cat has no open cell next to it. There is no score or timer: each round simply ends with the cat caught or escaped, then the board fades out and a new one is dealt. Reset, at the bottom left, deals a new board any time.
Controls
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Click / tap a cell | Block that cell |
| Reset (bottom left) | Start a new board |
Tips
- Don't start by blocking cells right next to the cat. Build your wall a few cells out, on the side where the cat is closest to the edge.
- Use the random blocks you start with. Look for groups of them near an edge and join them up; two or three of your own blocks can turn them into a solid wall.
- Every turn, count the cat's shortest route to the edge. If it is two steps from an edge cell, block that route first.
- Once the cat is fully enclosed, it can no longer find an exit and starts wandering inside. You still have to fill the space around it until it has no open neighbour, so the smaller the pen, the quicker the win.
- Remember the rows are offset: each hexagon has six neighbours, including two above and two below on the diagonals. Forgotten diagonals are how most cats get out.
FAQ
Does it save my progress?
There is nothing to save: every round is a fresh board, with no score or history.
Can I play on a phone or Chromebook?
Yes. Tap a cell to block it on a phone or tablet. On a Chromebook, click with the mouse or touchpad.
Is every board winnable?
Not always. The starting blocks are random, so now and then the cat gets a head start you can't stop. Many boards can be won with careful play, and Reset is always there when a start looks lost.