The tower is “fine” until you add one tiny piece… and suddenly physics starts yelling. Fragile Balance is a calm stacking physics game where pieces quiver, settle, and hold when your plan is good. You drag parts from a tray, rotate them, place them on a table, and meet goals like reaching a height or holding a delicate object steady for a set time. The trick is learning when to add weight, when to add support, and when to stop touching it and let it settle. What you do in the game Your loop: Choose a piece (plank, arch, cylinder, glass pane, cushion, etc.). Rotate and place it with care. Watch the stack drift or settle. Add braces or counterweights where stress forms. Meet the level goal (height target, hold an item, build a bridge shape). Use replay/overlays to learn where wobble concentrated. Controls Desktop Click/drag a piece Rotate with wheel or rotate buttons Release to place Optional slow-hold or spirit-level overlay Undo one step (if available) Mobile Drag to move piece Twist/rotate with two fingers or rotate buttons Release to place Tap slow-hold/overlays and undo (if available) How you win / scoring You succeed by: meeting the stability goal (hold for X seconds) reaching a height safely balancing a fragile object Some challenges reward fewer pieces or faster builds, but stability is always king. Materials and how they behave Wood: grippy, reliable. Glass: slippery—needs careful support. Rubber/cushions: absorb vibration but can bounce. Cylinders: roll—great as rollers, risky as supports. The soundscape helps: creaks often mean stress, tiny taps can mean shifting. Tips to play better (10–12 stability tips) Build wide first. A broad base makes everything above easier. Layer perpendicular foundations. Cross layers spread load and reduce tilt. Pause after every placement. Let the stack settle before adding more weight. Fix lean low, not high. A small piece low on the opposite side beats a heavy block up top. Use soft items as dampers between slippery materials to stop vibration travel. Offset thoughtfully, then counterweight. If you cantilever, balance it with ballast. Don’t wedge heavy pieces into a wobble. You’ll amplify shake; place gently and wait. Use arches like load funnels. A centered “keystone” piece can stop spreading. When holding a fragile sphere, create a cradle. Two supports + a gentle lip beats one flat plank. Use overlays as a teacher. If stress is red in one zone, reinforce that zone, not the top. Tip: Place… then wait. If your stack keeps “walking” sideways, your base isn’t level—rebuild the first two layers flatter instead of fighting it later. Real moment: you’ll get to the final piece, your hands will rush, and the whole build will wobble. Slow down at the end—final pieces matter most. Levels, modes, and tools height challenges “support for 10 seconds” challenges daily prompts like “three tiers with windows” Helpful tools may include: spirit-level overlay slow-motion hold for precise placement one-step undo Common problems & quick fixes Tower keeps collapsing late: you’re stacking too narrow—widen the base or add a mid-level brace. Pieces slide: add a grippy layer or cushion as a damper. Cylinders roll out: trap them with small blockers or avoid them in foundations. Lag: reduce effects, close tabs, refresh. Full screen issues: exit, refresh, re-enter. Motion discomfort: lower shake or use low-motion background if available. Parent tip Fragile Balance is great for patience, fine motor control, and problem solving. It’s calm, but hands can get tired—take breaks after a few builds. Quick info Platform: Browser (HTML5) Genre: Physics / stacking / puzzle Age fit: 6–13 Session length: 5–20 minutes Controls: Drag, rotate, place, optional slow-hold FAQ Q1: Why does my tower fall near the end? A: The base is too narrow or leaning. Fix stability low and widen early layers. Q2: What’s the best way to stop wobble? A: Let pieces settle, then add dampers or braces where stress concentrates. Q3: Are cushions always good? A: They absorb vibration, but they can bounce—use them under slippery pieces. Q4: How do I balance a sphere? A: Build a small cradle with two supports and a lip. Q5: Should I rebuild if it leans early? A: Often yes. A small early lean becomes a big late collapse.