Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What is Maze Pathfinder?

Maze Pathfinder is a free online puzzle game where players navigate through randomly generated mazes. The goal is to reach the exit as quickly and efficiently as possible while achieving the highest score. Each maze is unique, providing endless replayability without requiring any downloads or installations.

Is Maze Pathfinder really free?

Yes, completely free! There are no hidden costs, in-app purchases, subscriptions, or paywalls. The game is supported by non-intrusive advertisements, but the core gameplay experience is 100% free and always will be.

Do I need to create an account to play?

No! You can start playing immediately without any registration, login, or account creation. Your high scores and best times are stored locally in your browser, so they're available whenever you return to the site on the same device.

Are the mazes truly random?

Yes! Every maze is generated using a procedural algorithm called recursive backtracking. This ensures that each game presents a completely unique maze that you've never encountered before. No two mazes are the same, providing infinite variety.

Gameplay Questions

How do I control the game?

Maze Pathfinder offers multiple control options:

  • Keyboard: Use arrow keys (↑ ↓ ← →) or WASD keys
  • Touch/Mobile: Swipe in any direction on the maze
  • Mobile buttons: Tap the on-screen directional buttons

For detailed instructions, visit our How to Play page.

How is my score calculated?

Your score is calculated using this formula:

Score = 10,000 - (Moves × 10) - (Time × 5)

This means:

  • Each move costs 10 points
  • Each second costs 5 points
  • Higher scores indicate more efficient solving (fewer moves, less time)
  • The theoretical maximum score is 10,000

Is every maze solvable?

Absolutely! Every generated maze is guaranteed to have a solution path from the start (green square, top-left) to the exit (red square, bottom-right). The algorithm creates "perfect mazes" with exactly one unique path between any two points, ensuring every maze is completable.

Can I pause the game?

The game doesn't have a traditional pause feature, but the timer only runs when you're actively playing. If you need to step away, simply don't make any moves - the timer continues, but you can resume whenever you're ready. Consider your current game lost if you need a break and start fresh when you return.

What happens when I reach the exit?

When you successfully reach the red exit square, the game ends and displays your results: total moves, completion time, and final score. If you achieved a new high score or best time, it will be saved automatically. You can then start a new maze to continue playing.

Technical Questions

What browsers are supported?

Maze Pathfinder works on all modern browsers including:

  • Google Chrome (version 90+)
  • Mozilla Firefox (version 88+)
  • Safari (version 14+)
  • Microsoft Edge (version 90+)
  • Opera (version 76+)

JavaScript must be enabled for the game to function. Most browsers have JavaScript enabled by default.

Does the game work on mobile devices?

Yes! Maze Pathfinder is fully responsive and works great on smartphones and tablets. The game automatically adjusts the maze size based on your screen: smaller mazes for phones (12×16 grid), medium for tablets (18×18 grid), and larger for desktop computers (25×20 grid). Touch controls including swipe gestures and on-screen buttons make mobile play intuitive.

Where is my data stored?

All your game data (high scores, best times, statistics) is stored locally in your browser's localStorage. This means your data never leaves your device and is not transmitted to any servers. Your statistics are available as long as you use the same browser on the same device. Clearing your browser data or cache will reset your scores.

Does the game require an internet connection?

You need an internet connection to initially load the game, but once loaded, the core maze-solving functionality works offline. Advertisements require an active connection, but they won't interfere with gameplay if you lose connectivity during a game.

Is there a dark mode?

Yes! Maze Pathfinder automatically respects your system's dark mode preference. If you have dark mode enabled in your operating system or browser settings, the game will display in dark mode. If you prefer light mode, simply disable dark mode in your system settings.

Troubleshooting

The game won't load. What should I do?

Try these troubleshooting steps:

  1. Ensure JavaScript is enabled in your browser
  2. Clear your browser cache and cookies
  3. Try a different browser
  4. Disable browser extensions that might block scripts
  5. Check your internet connection
  6. Try refreshing the page (Ctrl+F5 or Cmd+Shift+R)

My controls aren't working properly

If your controls feel unresponsive:

  • Make sure the game window has focus (click on the maze first)
  • On mobile, ensure you're swiping within the maze area, not on ads
  • Try using alternative controls (keyboard vs touch)
  • Refresh the page if controls become completely unresponsive

I lost my high scores. How do I get them back?

Unfortunately, if your browser data was cleared or you're using a different browser/device, your scores cannot be recovered since they're stored locally. This is the trade-off for not requiring account registration. To prevent future loss, avoid clearing your browser's localStorage for this site.

The game is running slowly or lagging

Performance issues are rare but can be resolved with:

  • Close unnecessary browser tabs to free up memory
  • Close other applications running on your device to free up RAM
  • Update your browser to the latest version
  • Try a different browser known for better performance
  • On mobile, ensure you have sufficient battery (low power mode can throttle performance)

Strategy & Tips

What's the best strategy for solving mazes?

There are several proven strategies! The wall-following method is great for beginners (keep your hand on one wall and follow it until you reach the exit). For more advanced techniques like Trémaux's algorithm, dead reckoning, and pattern recognition, check out our comprehensive Maze Solving Strategies guide.

How can I improve my score?

To achieve higher scores:

  • Minimize backtracking by thinking ahead before committing to paths
  • Balance speed with accuracy (time matters, but moves matter more)
  • Learn to recognize dead ends before exploring them fully
  • Practice regularly to develop pattern recognition skills
  • Study the strategies guide to learn advanced techniques

Are there different difficulty levels?

Currently, the game automatically adjusts maze size based on your device (larger screens get larger, more complex mazes). While there aren't separate difficulty settings yet, this is a planned feature for future updates. Stay tuned!

Privacy & Data

What data do you collect about me?

We don't collect any personal information about you. The only data stored is your game statistics (high scores, best times), which are saved locally in your browser and never transmitted to our servers. Google AdSense may use cookies for advertising purposes. For complete details, please read our Privacy Policy.

Can I opt out of advertisements?

The game is free because it's supported by advertisements. While you can't completely remove ads, you can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. This will show you generic ads instead of personalized ones.

Contact & Support

How can I report a bug or provide feedback?

We welcome your feedback! Visit our About page to find contact information for the developer. Whether you've found a bug, have a feature suggestion, or just want to share your experience, we'd love to hear from you.

Will there be new features in the future?

Yes! We have plans for several exciting features including multiple difficulty levels, daily challenges, different maze generation algorithms, leaderboards, and achievement systems. These will be added gradually while keeping the game free and maintaining its core simplicity. Check the About page for more details on future development.

Still Have Questions?

If you didn't find the answer you were looking for, please visit our About page to get in touch with the developer directly. We're happy to help!

Ready to start playing? Play Maze Pathfinder now!