Lowtide Locks
Puzzle game for iPhone

Lowtide Locks

Two worlds, one waterline.

Fifteen calm locks. Two to five minutes each. No way to lose.

A lock-keeper in a yellow oilskin works the brick sluices of a tidal estuary. The canal is still enough to be a mirror, and the world below the waterline is a second set of paths: sink through at a still stone and walk under the bridges to the bell.

See the three chapters Coming to the App Store. Chapter 1 is free.
Lock 1·3, Still Water: the keeper stands on pale stones below the waterline, under a brick quay whose top is cream stone; a brass bell waits at the far end.

Three chapters, fifteen locks

Each chapter adds one mechanism. A lock takes two to five minutes, and each has a par: the fewest moves that open it.

The home screen: the Lowtide Locks wordmark over the canal, the Wade In button, and a route map with five locks in each chapter.
Chapter 1 · free

The Shallows

Tap to walk. Turn brass wheels until two paths meet where your eye says they do. At a still stone, level with the water, tap the keeper to sink below the waterline.

Lock 2·5, The Long Lock: brick piers standing in the canal, with brass plates for a wheel, a lift and a sliding bridge.
Chapter 2

The Locks

Lifts rise and fall with the keeper aboard, bridges slide on rails, and mirror stones exist only below the waterline.

Lock 3·3, Flood Gate: a tide staff on the left edge marks the water level beside brick piers, with brass plates to lower or raise the water.
Chapter 3

The Sluices

Raise or lower the tide. The mirror moves with it: stones go under, new joins appear below the waterline, and the way to the bell changes.

What you get

One small game, made to be finished.

  • Chapter 1 free. Five locks, no time limit, no sign-up.
  • One unlock, $3.99. The Full Estuary opens chapters 2 and 3.
  • Free undo and restart. There is no way to lose a lock.
  • Hints that are always right. A solver on the phone shows the next step. You start with 3 and earn more; 10 more cost $0.99.
  • No ads, no tracking, no account. Progress stays on your phone.
  • Plays offline. Large, readable type throughout.

Questions

Which devices?
iPhone with iOS 15 or later, in portrait.
Is the full game one purchase?
Yes. The Full Estuary is a one-time purchase and restores on a new phone with the same Apple account (Settings → Restore Purchases). Hint packs are optional.
Stuck on a lock?
Use Hint: a ring marks where to stand and a note names the move. Undo and Restart cost nothing.
Something wrong?
Write to us from the support page.