Two Game Modes
Challenge mode for competitive puzzle solving with leaderboards. Relaxed mode for stress-free play at your own pace.
Free the Otter
Guide otters through colored paths to water openings. Timed challenge and relaxed modes. Clean, stylized visuals across iOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
Adapting to SwiftUI
A Path to Water
Otters need to reach the water, but the paths are blocked and tangled. Slide colored tiles to create clear routes, matching otter colors to path colors. Simple concept, surprisingly deep strategy.
Free the Otter is a sliding puzzle game with two modes: Challenge yourself with timed levels and move limits, or play in Relaxed mode where you can take all the time you need to find the perfect solution.
Designed for Apple's ecosystem—play on your iPhone during your commute, solve a quick puzzle on your Apple Watch, or relax with bigger puzzles on Apple TV.
Game Features
Clean Design
Stylized, minimalist aesthetic. Colorblind-friendly palette with pattern alternatives. Beautiful without being distracting.
Cross-Device Play
Start a puzzle on iPhone, continue on iPad, finish on Apple TV. Progress syncs seamlessly via iCloud.
Apple Watch Support
Quick puzzles optimized for Watch. Perfect for short breaks or waiting in line. Full game in miniature.
Apple TV Edition
Couch-friendly puzzling on the big screen. Siri Remote support with intuitive controls. Great for family puzzle nights.
Hundreds of Puzzles
Hand-crafted levels from simple introductions to mind-bending challenges. New puzzle packs added regularly.
Built with SwiftUI
Free the Otter started as a UIKit project but is being rebuilt from the ground up using SwiftUI. This means better performance, more consistent experience across all Apple devices, and a codebase that's easier to maintain and extend.
SwiftUI's declarative approach makes animations smoother, transitions more natural, and the whole game feel more responsive. It's also allowed us to easily support features like Dynamic Type, Dark Mode, and accessibility options that work consistently everywhere.
The rewrite is taking time, but the result will be a game that feels native and polished on every Apple platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What platforms does it support?
iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS. One purchase unlocks the game across all your Apple devices.
Is it free or paid?
One-time premium purchase. No ads, no in-app purchases, no subscriptions. Buy it once, own it forever.
Do I need an internet connection?
No! Play completely offline. Internet only needed for initial download and optional iCloud sync.
Is it suitable for kids?
Absolutely. No violence, no scary content, family-friendly throughout. Great for all ages from young children to adults.
How hard are the puzzles?
Ranges from very easy (great for kids) to genuinely challenging (for puzzle veterans). Difficulty curves smoothly so you can find your sweet spot.
When will it be available?
Currently adapting to SwiftUI for better performance and consistency. Join the mailing list to be notified when it launches on the App Store.
Help the Otters
Be notified when Free the Otter launches. Get early access to beta testing and exclusive launch pricing.