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 distinct color into a single tube. The game presents a starting configuration where multiple colors are mixed across several tubes, with a number of empty tubes provided as workspace. The player must transfer liquid layers between tubes until each tube contains only one color, completely filling it. The game is typically played on a touchscreen device or with a mouse cursor. Levels increase in difficulty by adding more colors and tubes, and by introducing constraints such as limited empty tubes or larger liquid volumes. The game ends when all colors are correctly sorted.

Gameplay mechanics are based on the rule that a player can only pour the topmost layer of liquid from one tube onto the topmost layer of another tube. The pour is only permitted if the target tube is empty or if its topmost layer matches the color being poured. The entire top layer of the same color is transferred in a single action. The player cannot partially pour a layer. The game provides an undo button to reverse the last move, and a restart button to reset the level to its initial state. Some versions include a hint system or a shuffle function to rearrange the liquid layers.

Operation controls on a touchscreen require the player to tap a source tube to select it, then tap a destination tube to pour the liquid. On a desktop, the player clicks the source tube and then clicks the destination tube. Alternatively, some implementations allow the player to drag the liquid from one tube to another. The game provides visual feedback by highlighting the selected tube and showing the liquid layer being transferred.

Tactical techniques involve prioritizing the creation of empty tubes. The player should avoid filling a tube with a color that blocks the movement of other colors. A common strategy is to move a single layer of a color to an empty tube to free up a tube for sorting. The player should also identify tubes that already contain a majority of one color and work to complete those tubes first. When multiple layers of the same color are stacked, the player can move them together to a matching tube. The undo function is used to explore alternative moves without penalty. The player should avoid creating a situation where a color is trapped beneath a different color in a tube that is otherwise full.