Octiles

About this board game

Octiles is a tile-shifting race game for 2–4 players, with approximately 60 minutes of play. The goal is straightforward: get all of your pieces across the board before your opponents, in a race reminiscent of Chinese Checkers.

The board is filled with 18 octagonal tiles. Each tile represents a different permutation of connections between its eight sides, creating a network of possible routes. The tiles begin face down, while one additional tile serves as the switch tile for exchanging tiles during play.

Players may place up to five colored runners on their starting circles. On each turn, replace one board tile with the switch tile, then move one runner across the newly changed route. A runner can cross one tile or continue along the path until that path ends, making the changing tile layout central to every move.

• Race all your runners across the board first.
• Use the switch tile to alter the available routes.
• Move across one tile or follow a path until it ends.
• Optional rules support solitaire, standard, and team play.

The board is noted for its attractive construction, including colored felt holes that designate the starting spaces. Octiles received the 2003 Mensa Select distinction, and it is available for online play through Boardspace.net, including a real-time option and AI play.

Boardspace.net also offers local multiplayer and online versions for iOS and Android devices. With its distinctive octagonal tiles and evolving paths, Octiles combines a clear racing objective with a board that changes throughout the game.