Octomaze is a puzzle game where you control Aristotle, a character with a growing tentacle, navigating mazes filled with enemies, traps, and collectibles like artifacts and coins. The goal is to reach the artifact while managing the tentacle’s length and avoiding hazards. Here’s your guide:
•TITLE: Octomaze
•GENRE: Casual, Indie, Early Access
•AUTHORS: Octagon Game Studio | Discord | X (Twitter) | Web | Youtube | Twitch
•PUBLISHER: Octagon Game Studio
•RELEASE DATE: Early Access
•Purchase Octomaze – and Support this Indie Game Developer!
Octomaze Plot:
The Setup
In Octomaze, you take on the role of Aristotle, a brave and quirky octopus. The story begins with Aristotle discovering that his precious treasures—referred to as artifacts—have been stolen by parasitic enemies. These foes have invaded his underwater domain, scattering his belongings across a series of labyrinthine mazes.
The Mission
Aristotle’s goal is straightforward: reclaim his stolen artifacts. To do this, he must navigate through increasingly complex mazes using his unique tentacle abilities. Each level represents a new challenge in his quest, with the artifacts serving as the ultimate prize guarded by various enemies and traps.
The Antagonists
The enemies in Octomaze aren’t just obstacles—they’re part of the plot’s flavor. Described as parasites, these creatures come in five distinct types (e.g., static blue enemies, gas-emitting green enemies), each posing a different threat to Aristotle’s mission. Some steal coins or resources, adding a sense of urgency to stop their interference. Think of them as pesky squatters in Aristotle’s underwater home, unwilling to leave without a fight.
The Tone
The plot leans into a whimsical, lighthearted vibe. Aristotle isn’t a brooding hero—he’s a determined octopus with a knack for problem-solving. The game’s minimalist design and expressive enemy animations (like “obvious signs of aggression”) suggest a playful tone, where the focus is more on the puzzle-solving journey than a heavy narrative arc.
Progression
As you advance through the levels (including bonus “nightmare” stages), the implied story is one of escalation: Aristotle clears out more of his territory, facing tougher foes and trickier mazes. There’s no explicit dialogue or cutscenes (based on current info), so the plot unfolds through gameplay—each artifact recovered is a small victory in reclaiming his domain.
Why It Matters
The plot serves as a simple hook: Aristotle’s quest gives purpose to the tentacle-based mechanics. You’re not just solving puzzles for abstract points—you’re helping an octopus take back what’s his. It’s a classic “hero vs. invaders” setup, distilled into a bite-sized premise that fits the game’s arcade-puzzle roots.
Octomaze Walkthrough: 
I’ll provide a general walkthrough guide for tackling its core gameplay. This will serve as a step-by-step framework you can adapt to any level. Octomaze, developed by Octagon Game Studio, involves guiding Aristotle’s growing tentacle through mazes to collect artifacts while avoiding enemies and hazards.
Overview:
Objective: Reach the artifact to complete the level.
•Mechanics: You move Aristotle’s tentacle one grid space at a time. It grows with each move, leaving a trail that can’t overlap itself or be destroyed by enemies/hazards.
•Threats: Blue enemies (static, contact damage), green enemies (periodic gas), and other dynamic obstacles (e.g., traps, coin-eaters).
•Resources: Artifacts (mandatory), coins (optional bonuses).
This guide assumes a typical level structure—a grid with enemies, an artifact, and coins—and walks you through a hypothetical but representative scenario.
Step 1: Assess the Level
•Pause and Scan: Look at the grid layout (e.g., 5x5, 7x7). Identify:
1.Starting point (usually a corner like (1,1)).
2.Artifact location (often opposite corner or center).
3.Enemy positions and types (blue, green, etc.).
4.Coins or power-ups (if any).
5.Obstacles (walls, traps, moving parts).
6.Example: 5x5 grid, start at (1,1), artifact at (5,5), blue enemy at (3,3), green enemy at (1,4, gas every 5 seconds), coin at (4,2).
Step 2: Plan Your Route
•Pathing Rule: Minimize moves to keep the tentacle short and avoid boxing yourself in.
•Prioritize: Artifact over coins unless coins are on the way or unlock critical upgrades.
•Avoidance: Plot around blue enemies; time green enemy gas cycles (e.g., wait for gas to clear every 5 seconds).
•Example Plan: From (1,1) to (5,5), go along edges (1,1 ? 5,1 ? 5,5) to avoid (3,3), timing gas at (1,4).
Step 3: Execute the Plan
•Move Deliberately: Follow your route, adjusting for surprises (e.g., unexpected enemy movement).
•Timing: Count seconds for gas or moving obstacles (e.g., move after 3-second gas burst when safe for 2 seconds).
•Example Execution:
1.Start (1,1) ? (2,1): Safe, outside gas range.
2.(2,1) ? (3,1): Below blue enemy at (3,3).
3.(3,1) ? (4,1): Still safe.
4.(4,1) ? (5,1): Wait here if gas from (1,4) extends (check range).
5.(5,1) ? (5,2) ? (5,3) ? (5,4) ? (5,5): Move up when gas clears to reach artifact.
Step 4: Collect Bonuses (Optional)
•Backtrack Safely: If the tentacle’s path allows, detour for coins (e.g., (4,2) in our example).
•Example Adjustment: After (5,5), reverse to (5,2) ? (4,2) for the coin, ensuring no overlap with prior tentacle segments or enemies.
Step 5: Adapt to Failure
•Learn from Mistakes: If the tentacle gets hit (e.g., gas overlap), note where and why. Restart and tweak your route or timing.
•Example Fix: If gas at (1,4) blocks (5,1), try a middle route (e.g., (1,1) ? (1,5) ? (5,5)) instead.
Tips & Strategy for Playing Octomaze 
Understand the Tentacle Mechanic:
•The tentacle grows with each move and remains in place, forming a trail. This means every step limits your future options—plan ahead to avoid boxing yourself in.
•Key Strategy: Visualize your path to the artifact before moving. Think of it like a game of Snake, but with a goal beyond just survival.
Know Your Enemies:
•Blue Enemies: Stationary hazards. Touching them damages the tentacle. Plot routes around them or use the environment (walls, traps) to block their influence.
•Green Enemies: Emit gas in a radius (e.g., 3x3 grid) on a timer (typically 5-second cycles). Wait for the gas to clear before passing through their zone.
•Other Enemies: Some levels feature coin-eating parasites or moving threats. Prioritize avoiding them unless they guard critical resources.
•Key Strategy: Time your moves to exploit enemy patterns—patience often beats reckless speed.
Preserve the Tentacle:
•If the tentacle is destroyed (by enemies or traps), you fail the level. Use corners and obstacles to coil or shield it from harm.
•Key Strategy: Sacrifice a segment intentionally if it distracts enemies or clears a path, but only as a last resort.
Prioritize Objectives:
•Artifacts are your primary goal—collecting them advances you to the next level. Coins are secondary but can offer bonuses (e.g., upgrades or extra lives, depending on the version).
•Key Strategy: Secure the artifact first, then backtrack for coins only if the tentacle’s path allows safe movement.
Advanced Tips
Path Optimization:
•Avoid unnecessary moves. Each step extends the tentacle, increasing its exposure. Take the shortest viable route to the artifact.
•Example: If the artifact is at (5,5) from (1,1), aim for a diagonal or L-shaped path rather than zigzagging.
Enemy Manipulation:
•Lure enemies into traps or dead ends by positioning the tentacle strategically. For instance, extend it near a trap to bait a blue enemy into it.
•Tip: Watch enemy AI—they often follow predictable rules you can exploit.
Timing Mastery:
•For levels with dynamic elements (e.g., gas cycles, moving platforms), count seconds or observe patterns. Move during safe windows.
•Example: If green enemy gas lasts 3 seconds and clears for 2, wait until the last moment to dash through.
Resource Management:
•Collect power-ups (if present) to heal or shorten the tentacle. Use them wisely—don’t waste a regeneration item early if tougher challenges lie ahead.
•Tip: Memorize coin locations for efficient grabs post-artifact.
Level Awareness:
•Study the maze layout at the start. Look for choke points, safe zones, and dead ends. Knowing the terrain is half the battle.
•Tip: Pause (if the game allows) to reassess mid-level if the tentacle’s length complicates your plan.
Octomaze Innovations
Octomaze, developed by Octagon Game Studio, introduces several novel ideas to the puzzle genre:
•Tentacle Mechanic: Unlike traditional point-and-move characters, controlling a growing, flexible tentacle combines spatial strategy (like Snake) with puzzle-solving (like Sokoban). This forces players to think in terms of both position and extension, a fresh twist on maze navigation.
•Innovation: Blends retro mechanics (e.g., Snake, Bomberman) into a cohesive new system, avoiding the trap of reskinning old ideas.
•Enemy Variety: Five distinct enemy types diversify challenges. This mirrors games like Plants vs. Zombies, where enemy behavior dictates strategy, but adapts it to a minimalist, grid-based format.
•Minimalist Design: The game’s art style—simple yet expressive—keeps focus on gameplay while evoking charm, akin to indie hits like Thomas Was Alone.
•Early Access Evolution: Launched on Steam in Early Access, Octomaze leverages community feedback to refine mechanics, a hallmark of modern indie development. This iterative process ensures the game evolves beyond its initial concept.
•Potential for Expansion: The tentacle mechanic opens doors for future innovations—imagine multiplayer modes where tentacles compete or cooperate, or procedural mazes for endless replayability.
Where to Play Octomaze
If you're looking to play Octomaze, you have a few options depending on your preferred platform. Here's where you can find it as of February 21, 2025:
Mobile Platforms:
•Android: Octomaze is available on the Google Play Store. You can download it directly to your Android device. There’s both a full version (priced at $3.99 in Early Access) and a free demo version called OctoMaze Demo. Search for "OctoMaze" or "OctoMaze Demo" in the Play Store, or visit the official site (http://octomaze.com/) for links.
•iOS: While an iOS release is planned, it’s not yet available as of now. Developers at Octagon Game Studio have indicated a full launch including iOS is targeted for sometime in 2025, so keep an eye on their official channels (like their Twitter @octagon_game_st) for updates.
PC
•Steam: Octomaze is available on Steam for PC (Windows). It’s in Early Access, priced at $3.99, and offers a downloadable version you can play instantly. Search for "OctoMaze" on Steam or use the link from their official site (http://octomaze.com/). This version includes Steam achievements and regular updates.
•Emulator Option: If you prefer the mobile version on PC, you can use an Android emulator like GameLoop. Download GameLoop, then search for "OctoMaze" within its library to install and play the Android version on your computer.
Online Play
There’s no browser-based or purely online version of Octomaze available to play directly on the web. It’s designed as a downloadable game for mobile or PC, not a web-hosted title like some Flash or HTML5 games.
Where to Get It
•Official Website: Visit http://octomaze.com/ for direct links to all available platforms and the latest news on releases.
•Google Play: For Android users, this is the go-to spot (search "OctoMaze" or "OctoMaze Demo").
•Steam Store: For PC players, head to Steam and look up "OctoMaze."
Notes
•Early Access: Both the Steam and Android versions are in Early Access, meaning they’re playable but still being polished. The core mechanics are complete, but features like additional localizations or leaderboards might be added later.
•Demo: The free demo on Google Play is a great way to try it before buying, though it’s limited compared to the full version.
