How to Play Mottle Game
Tap the garden to start a run in Mottle: Hide & Seek. You control the little creature that starts in the middle. Your first job is to stay hidden until the search ends. On your first trip across the board, aim for just one golden firefly.
Start a run and read the garden
If the creature is already running around when you arrive, you are watching the opening demonstration. Click or tap once inside the board and lift off. Look for the hearts and the Round 1 indicator. The short Hide countdown gives you a moment to look around before you can steer. Find your creature in the center. Pick out three things around it: a nearby firefly, the Seeker with a cone of light in front of it, and a patch where you would like to stop. Your route only needs to be long enough to reach the first firefly.
Collect your first firefly
When the Seek timer starts, wait for the cone to point away from your route. Press and drag toward the firefly. Watch the creature travel across the garden toward your finger or mouse pointer. It has to reach the firefly itself, so keep steering until you see the golden light disappear and your score increase. Release as soon as you reach your stopping place. On a phone, lift your thumb clear of the glass. The creature starts to take on the color underneath it. Look at Camo filling up while you wait for the light to pass.
Try crossing while the Seeker turns
Suppose the nearest firefly is one tile to your right and the light is sweeping to the left. Move right while the light travels away from you, collect the firefly, then stop on that tile. If the Seeker turns back earlier than you expected, release before the firefly. You can make another trip once the path opens. A common first-round mistake is to stop your hand but keep holding the screen. That still tells the game to steer. If the creature looks bright and Camo stays low, lift your finger or release the mouse button completely.
Finish the round
Keep an eye on the Seek timer. When only a few seconds remain and the next firefly is across the garden, stay put and watch the timer run out. Round Clear confirms you survived. The next garden starts with another Hide countdown, giving you time to pick a new route.
What if I get spotted on my first trip?
Watch the Alert meter. A glimpse can raise it without costing a life. Release and let the creature blend, or leave the light if the nearest safe spot is a short step away. If Alert fills, you lose a heart. With lives remaining, you get another try at the same round.