Dots and Boxes is an online version of a classic competitive, turn-based, logic-based block-puzzle game played on paper between two people with a pen or pencil. The game presents the player with an unlined grid with a light blue background that features evenly spaced white dots. The player and their opponent must draw lines between the dots to create small boxes. The player who creates the most small-sized boxes wins.
On the home screen, the player selects the number of players, difficulty level, board type and speed mode. They can choose to play the game's AI or another human player. A custom board option allows them to select a board size from 2x2 up to 20x20.
The mechanics of Dots and Boxes are simple. Each player draws a single line during their turn. If they create a small box, it fills with their color (Player 1 = blue; Player 2 = red). They continue playing until they can no longer make boxes. During a turn, each player also attempts to block the other player and trick them into creating three sides of a box, which results in a lost turn and the opponent completing the box and continuing until they run out of moves.
The game features a slight degree of luck. Each player inevitably runs out of options to block or trick their opponent. At that point, the players compete to see who can add to their existing total the fastest and finish the game.
