INTRODUCTION
Caxcade is an original and unique puzzle game that requires skill, logic, and luck.

The purpose of the game is to swap/exchange pieces to form patterns. You score points depending on the patterns formed. Strategy is required to maximize the points scored which are awarded based on simple and basic rules. Progress through level after level of increasing challenge and difficulty...

HOW TO PLAY
Caxcade is played on a square game board consisting of 8 by 8 (making a total of 64) pieces. Each piece has a line positioned in 1 of 2 orientations.

Select 2 pieces to swap to form 1 or more patterns. Each pattern is formed from 4 adjacent pieces.

When a pattern or patterns are formed, the pieces forming the pattern(s) will disintegrate and be replaced by other random pieces (except on bonus screens). Points will be awarded for each pattern formed.

HOW TO MOVE
Use your mouse to position the cursor over the first piece you wish to swap; a red dashed square will appear around the piece you wish to select. Now select this piece by clicking the left mouse button. A blue square will replace the red square to signify that the piece has been selected. If, however, you realize that you have inadvertently selected the wrong piece, you may de-select the piece by click the left mouse button again while your cursor is over that same piece.

To select a second piece, repeat the same process while your cursor is positioned over a different piece. The second piece can be any other piece on the game board, and need not have to be adjacent to the first piece selected. Once the second piece is selected, another blue square will appear (around this second piece). Unlike the first piece selection, you will not have the option to de-select the second piece.

The position of the 2 pieces will be swapped/exchanged immediately.

SCORING
Points are awarded for each pattern formed from any 4 adjacent pieces. The number of points awarded will depend on the color combination of the pattern. A pattern that consists of 4 pieces of the same color is awarded maximal (800) points, while that which consists of 2 pieces of one color and 2 pieces of another color is awarded half (400) the maximal points. A pattern that consists of any other color combination of pieces is awarded minimal (100) points.

Points are also multiplied by the number of concurrent patterns (up to a maximum of 5) formed in that move. This will significantly increase your points so aim to form multiple patterns in each move, if possible.

Additionally, in later levels, patterns can be formed for twice the number of points.

If more patterns are evident after the earlier patterns have disintegrated and are replaced by new pieces, you will be awarded nominal (20) points for each further pattern formed. The process will continue to cascade until you are presented again with a patternless board to make your next move.

LEVELS
Every game level has rules of completion defined at the start of the level. To complete a level, you have to achieve a set minimum level score, within a set number of moves, and within a set period of time (if the timed game mode is selected).

Your progress in achieving this is visually represented on the right-hand panel of the game screen. So, visually, your aim is to complete each level by moving the green (level score) bar to the top limit of the enclosed area before either the red (number of moves) or blue (time) bars. Just above the red bar is a counter displaying the number of moves left on that level.

EXTRAS

Play the full version of Caxcade now to discover:

• New patterns: form these patterns for double points
• Dud pieces: pieces that can be moved, but cannot be used to form patterns
• Inert pieces: pieces that cannot be moved, and cannot be used to form patterns
• Bonus levels: where pieces are not replenished, and bonuses are awarded based on the degree of completion of the level
• Multi-colored pieces: pieces that can become any color to maximize points awarded
• Bidirectional pieces: pieces that can become any orientation to maximize points awarded
• Different types of pieces: only pieces of one type can form patterns with its own type

KEYBOARD OPTIONS/CONTROLS
Instead of using the mouse, keyboard options are available:

• [Arrow keys] : to move the cursor
• [Arrow keys] + [Shift] : to move the cursor faster
• [Enter] : to select
• [ESC] : to abort the current game or screen
• [P] : to pause the game
• [Home], [End], [Page Up], [Page Down] : to move between pages in the Instructions screen

Good luck and enjoy the game!