About the game
Glowline is a fast light-cycle game on a neon grid. Your cycle never stops: it races forward and leaves a glowing wall behind it. Anyone who drives into a wall, a rival or the edge of the arena pops and sits out the rest of the round. The last cycle still running takes the round.
The twist is that walls do not last. Every piece of your trail fades six seconds after you lay it, and it blinks just before it goes. That keeps the board open and turns every round into a race to box rivals in while your wall is still standing. Boost to double your speed for a second, but you leave no wall while boosting. Grab the golden sparks to make your wall last longer.
After 20 seconds the arena walls start closing in, so rounds stay short. Win three rounds in a duel, or two rounds against a bigger field, to take the match. Play against computer opponents on three difficulty levels, or grab a friend and play on one keyboard or one phone.
How to play
- Your light-cycle always moves forward. Turn left, right, up or down, but never straight back.
- Hitting any wall, a rival or the arena edge pops you. The last cycle running wins the round.
- Your wall fades after 6 seconds. Golden sparks add 2 seconds, up to 12.
- Boost doubles your speed for 1 second but leaves no wall. It recharges in 4 seconds.
- After 20 seconds the edges close in. Win 3 rounds in a duel, or 2 with more players.
Controls
- Computer
- Arrow keys or WASD to turn, Space or click to boost. 2 players: WASD + Space and Arrows + Enter.
- Phone & tablet
- Swipe anywhere to turn and tap BOOST to speed up. 2 players: each drags in their half of the screen.
Questions
Is Glowline like Tron light-cycles?
It is a riff on that classic idea, with two big changes: your wall fades after a few seconds, and boosting leaves a gap in it. Rounds become a quick fight over open space instead of a slow fill-up.
Can two people play on one device?
Yes. Pick "2 Players". On a keyboard one player uses WASD and Space, the other the arrow keys and Enter. On a phone or tablet each player steers in their own half of the screen. You can add up to two bots.
How do the computer opponents play?
Easy bots only look one step ahead and often trap themselves. Medium bots steer toward the most open space. Hard bots know when walls will fade, try to cut you off and use boost to escape tight spots.
Is Glowline free?
Yes. It runs in your browser on desktop and mobile with no download or sign-up.