Flip Out is is a simple strategy game of close kin to Reversi (Othello). The game looks the same, and the concept is similar, but the rules have a different flair. No square is safe. Corners are meaningless. Sacrifice is the rule and the only means to winning.
Rules
The object of Flip Out is to be the first player to capture over half of the board (32 pieces).
Each player takes turns choosing an empty square, claiming it. Further, the surrounding cardinal squares (North, South, East, West) are affected according to the following rules:
Any opponent squares are captured by the player
Any captured squares are made empty
Any empty squares are surrendered to the opponent
Just think of it as a cycle: surrendered ==> captured ==> empty ==> surrendered.
The Board
The game board is divided into 8 rows and 8 columns, for a total of 64 squares.
Below the main board are three items: your score, the current player, and your opponent's score. The two score bars increase towards the center according to how many pieces that particular player has captured. A full bar means the player has captured over half of the board, and thus won.
Menus
Under the Apple menu, you can choose "About Flip Out". I'm sure this is not much of a revelation, just had to put it in.
The File menu contains three items: New Game, Show Scores, and Quit.
"New Game" starts a new game.
"Sounds" toggles sounds on/off.
"Show Scores" displays a breakdown of games won by the player and the opponent, percentages, and longest streaks.
"Quit" exits the program.
Next, we have the Boards menu. Under it, you will find all of the board files currently residing in the Boards folder under Flip Out. Simply select which one you want to play with, and the game board changes to match.
Game Play
Game play starts by the first player choosing an empty square, and then alternates between players, each turn choosing an empty square.
Once a player captures over half of the board, gameplay ends.
Hints
You have one distinct advantage when playing the computer: it is greedy and stupid. The computer does not think ahead, so you must. Make sure that that 3-way you just claimed does not open up a 4-way for him.
The best first move is in the corner. It only surrenders two squares, as opposed to a middle square which would surrender four.
Be careful towards the endgame, as you might inadvertently surrender a piece which puts your opponent over the goal.
