Liquid Color Sort

Liquid Color Sort is a puzzle video game in which the player organizes colored liquids contained in a set of glass tubes. The objective is to sort each color into a single tube, with all tubes containing only one uniform color by the end of the level. The game presents a series of increasingly complex puzzles, starting with a small number of tubes and colors and progressing to larger configurations. Each level begins with a randomized arrangement of colored liquid layers distributed across multiple tubes. The game is typically played on mobile devices and web browsers, utilizing a touch or click interface. No time limit or move counter is imposed in standard modes, allowing unrestricted trial and error. The game is classified as a logic puzzle, relying on spatial reasoning and sequential planning rather than speed or reflexes.

Gameplay mechanics are based on the manipulation of liquid layers between tubes. Each tube can hold a fixed number of segments, usually four. A player selects a tube to pour from, then selects a target tube to pour into. The pour action transfers the topmost layer of liquid from the source tube to the target tube, but only if the target tube is not full and either contains the same color on top or is empty. The entire top layer of a single color is transferred in one action, not individual units. The game ends when all tubes contain a single color, with no empty tubes required for completion. Additional empty tubes are often provided as temporary storage.

Operation controls are direct and minimal. On touchscreen devices, the player taps a tube to select it, which highlights the tube. Tapping a second tube initiates the pour. On desktop platforms, the player clicks a tube to select it and clicks another to pour. A single undo button is typically available, reversing the last pour action. Some versions include a restart button to reset the level to its initial state. No drag-and-drop or multi-touch gestures are used.

Tactical techniques focus on efficient color consolidation. A primary technique is to avoid trapping a needed color beneath another color in a tube. Players should prioritize freeing tubes that contain multiple colors, as these limit available moves. Using empty tubes as temporary holding spaces is essential; a common strategy is to move a single color layer into an empty tube to create space for sorting other colors. Players should also examine the entire board before making a move, as a single pour can block future solutions. Reversing moves is recommended when a sequence leads to a dead end. In higher difficulty levels, planning several moves ahead is required, as the number of empty tubes decreases relative to the number of colors.