There are several options you can use when playing Think Ahead+. Some will make the game more fun and challenging, and some just add a new twist. You may not want to play with all these options turned on at one time.
These options are turned on/off for each game in the New Game dialog. Some of them are activated during the game using commands on the Options Menu.
Mystery Box - Available in both one and two player games. This option can only be turned on/off at the start of the game in the new game dialog. It cannot be turned off once the game has begun.
When this option is on, one or more Mystery Box (竚) tiles will be displayed on the board replacing only zero tiles. Use the Option Settings窶ｦ dialog to determine how many Mystery Boxes will be used in the game (from 1 to 6).
Selecting the Mystery Box tile can be worth from -15 to +25 points and can turn the game around, either way! Choose it if you feel lucky or really need it. Selecting the Mystery Box cannot be undone.
Scramble 竚弄 - This option can only be turned on/off at the start of the game in the New Game dialog. It cannot be turned off once the game has begun. You can Scramble using either the menu or the icon panel below the game board.
Using this option will take the remaining available tiles on the board and scramble their positions randomly. Any tiles that have already been selected as well as the marker position will not move.
It normally cost 5 points to Scramble. Use the Scramble! Free option to allow you to Scramble anytime at no cost.
Scramble can only be used once per turn by each player. Use the Option Settings窶ｦ dialog to determine how many time each player can Scramble during the game (from 1 to 10).
Use Scramble as a last chance gamble when you are in trouble or as part of your strategy. Choosing to Scramble the board cannot be undone.
Rotation 竚廊 or 竚漏 - This option can only be turned on/off at the start of the game in the New Game dialog. It cannot be turned off once the game has begun. You can Rotate using either the menu or the icon panel below the game board.
This option will allow you to 窶徨otate窶 the game board left or right in 90 degree increments. Once you rotate you may select a tile from board using the new board orientation. This basically allows you to select a tile from the opposite move direction. You might use this just to look at the board from a different perspective, helping you find the best move. Use the Option Settings窶ｦ dialog to determine how many time each player can rotate during the game (from 1 to 12).
If you rotate the board so that you are moving in the opposite direction and then select a tile, your remaining rotations available will be reduced by one. If you have rotated the board so the orientation is just flipped, it will not cost you a rotation.
During one-player games using Rotation, the computer can take much longer to move, especially at Advanced level and above.
Hint 竚路 - Available in both one and two player games at all levels. This option will give you a hint for your move. The hint will be displayed by flashing the tile considered you best move. You can get Hints using either the menu or the icon panel below the game board. Use the Option Settings窶ｦ dialog to determine how many time each player can get Hints during the game (from 1 to 32).
You can use the hint option only once per turn. The cost for a hint is determined by the game level:
0 points - Beginner
1 point - Intermediate
2 points - Advanced
3 points - Expert, Pro
Macintosh Skill - This option may be selected when you are in the the New Game dialog box or from the Game menu. This option can only be selected when you are playing a one-player game. For the best one-player game, do not change the game level while a game is in play. This may confuse the little guy inside the computer.
There are five different game levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert and Pro. Each level will allow the Macintosh to 窶弋hink Ahead窶 farther and predict your moves better. The higher skill levels will also cause the Macintosh to take longer to make its move so be patient.
If your are using a Macintosh SE or lower, be aware that the Expert and Pro levels will cause the Mac to take a long time to complete its move. But hey, if you've got the time, I've got the game!
First Thinker - Available in both one and two player games. This option can only be chosen in the New Game dialog. It allows you decide who will move first in the game: Player 1, Player 2 or Random.
Undo Last Move 竚六 - Available in both one and two player games. Undo is not available in one player games at Expert or Pro level (you're supposed to be good at this level, no mistakes or scouting allowed).
Only one move back can be undone. However, Undo cannot be used after choosing Scramble, after selecting the Mystery Box or after the computer has rotated the game board.
Undo will not work once have used the Rotate option during a turn. Undo must be done immediately before any other moves or rotations are made.
