How to Play Beamies: Rules, Gates and Tips for 3 Stars

By Nesim Razon, independent Android developer

Beamies are tiny aliens who just want to go home, and you control the gates that beam them there. The idea is simple but the later levels are real brain-teasers. This guide explains the rules and the thinking that earns 3 stars.

The rules

Drag a colored gate across the board and sweep up the aliens that have the same color. When the gate is full it beams home with its crew. A gate cannot roll over other colors, and every gate is an obstacle for the others, so the order in which you move matters.

Planning a level

• Look at the whole board first. Find the gate that is easiest to finish without getting in anyone's way.
• Finish gates that block others early, so they stop being obstacles.
• Think about where each gate will end up, because a full gate leaves the board but a half-full one stays in the way.
• There is no timer and no lives, so stop and think. Undo is always there for a wrong turn.

New twists as you progress

• Patrolling asteroids that move whenever you move
• Locked gates that slide along one line only
• Paint buckets that recolor your gate
• Portals that release new aliens, sometimes hidden in fog
• Spinning gates that change color every two steps
• A silver joker gate that takes any color

Getting 3 stars

Stars depend on how many drags you need: the fewer, the better, and finishing a level always earns at least 1 star. Aim for a clear solution with few wasted drags and use Undo to try alternatives rather than guessing. If you are really stuck, Hint shows the next step and the Beam gun can clear a stubborn alien; both can be refilled by watching an optional ad.