SZ
SZ
SZ
SzGames

Loading dead sticks...

This may take a few seconds

dead sticks

4.1 / 5
46,038 plays
puzzle

Game Information

Developer: SZ Games
Rating:
4.1/5
Released: April 2024
Last Updated: June 2025
Technology: HTML5 (Unity WebGL)
Platform: Browser
Size: ~15 MB
Plays: 46,038
Mobile Support: No

Tags

puzzle (71) mouse (1038) keyboard (1038) easy (376) 2D (0) indie (1038) free (1038) html5 (1020)

About dead sticks

Step into the mesmerizing world of 'dead sticks' – a modern, indie puzzle masterpiece that blends minimalist design with mind-bending physics challenges. Right from the moment you load the game, you’re greeted by a striking, abstract art style: interconnected sticks, crisp lines, and glowing circular joints set against a clean, uncluttered background. The aesthetic is equal parts soothing and cerebral, distilling gameplay to its pure essentials while maintaining a gripping sense of purpose.

Inspired by the concept of 'dead stick landing'—an aircraft landing without power—every level in Dead Sticks is about navigating through chaos with wit and precision. The core twist? Each stick is tethered together through three types of circular joints, each with its own distinct interactive mechanics. Your objective is to strategically unfasten and manipulate these connections, setting off graceful chain reactions governed by Verlet physics—the same system celebrated in advanced physics simulation.

As you progress, Dead Sticks transforms from simple experiments in motion into increasing tests of your intuition and planning. The fixed joints are your starting block—click them, and the seemingly lifeless stick suddenly swings into energetic motion. But not all joints yield to direct action; some require clever timing and environmental manipulation to unlock, rewarding experimentation and creativity. Find yourself drawing invisible lines between cause and effect, orchestrating geometric ballets as you strive to reach the solution in as few moves as possible.

The intuitive, mouse-based controls make the game approachable for puzzle newcomers while offering enough depth to engage veteran gamers. Each short burst of play feels rewarding, and every solved puzzle delivers a true “aha” moment. With its easy difficulty and sleek browser-based experience, Dead Sticks is perfect for quick breaks or deep, obsessive marathons. Play for free, challenge your brain, and let your logical side soar in this elegant online puzzle adventure.

How to Play

Begin Dead Sticks by observing each level's intricate web of sticks and circular joints. Your main goal on every stage is to use mouse clicks and strategic planning to unfasten key joints in the correct order, sparking a mesmerizing cascade where gravity and inertia do the rest. There are three types of joints:

1. Fixed & Clickable (solid circle): Click directly to release, setting the attached stick in motion.

2. Fixed & Not Clickable (hollow circle): Cannot be clicked, but may become unfixed through indirect interactions—often by moving another stick to touch it.

3. Not Fixed & Not Clickable (open circle): These are already loose, serving as pivot or anchor points.

Use your mouse to hover and identify the type of each joint. Plan your moves—once a stick is loose, its path is determined by physics, so timing and order matter! Look for opportunities where one released stick can knock into others, causing a domino effect. Some levels require patience and creativity; test different approaches and don't fear failure, as every play reveals new possibilities.

Beginner Tips:

- Start simple: Try clicking obvious joints first to see their effects.

- Watch how sticks react before committing to a move.

- Remember, speed isn't always the answer—precision trumps haste.

- Restart levels instantly to fine-tune your strategy.

Master the logic of Dead Sticks, and you’ll conquer even the trickiest puzzles. Each level is a fresh chance to outthink gravity and become a stylized puzzle-solving ace!

Controls

mouse
keyboard

Tips & Tricks

  • Examine all joints before taking your first action—anticipate chain reactions.
  • Use unclickable joints as pivots to gently nudge stuck sticks into position.
  • Restart quickly to experiment with new strategies without penalty.
  • Observe stick movement to exploit natural physics—momentum can solve complex setups.
  • Trigger multiple interactions with a single well-timed release for maximum efficiency.
  • Don’t be afraid to let sticks swing fully; patience often leads to satisfying solutions.
  • Remember: minimal moves yield the highest satisfaction—aim for efficiency!

Game Features

  • Abstract, minimalist visuals with captivating physics-based animation
  • Unique joint mechanics: clickable, non-clickable, and free-floating
  • Satisfying verlet integration physics for realistic stick motion
  • Engaging, easy-access browser gameplay—no downloads required
  • Short levels ideal for quick bursts or deep sessions
  • Free to play on itch.io—support indie developers while you puzzle
  • Accessible for beginners, rewarding for puzzle enthusiasts

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dead Sticks really free to play online?

Yes! Dead Sticks is completely free to play on itch.io. Simply launch it in your browser without any downloads or payments.

Do I need to install anything to enjoy Dead Sticks?

No installation required—just open the game in your web browser and start playing instantly. It’s optimized for desktop experiences.

Can I play Dead Sticks on my mobile device?

Currently, Dead Sticks is not mobile compatible. For the best experience, play on a desktop or laptop browser.

What makes Dead Sticks different from other puzzle games?

Dead Sticks uses advanced physics and unique joint types, offering fresh puzzle mechanics and visually mesmerizing motion that set it apart from traditional point-and-click puzzles.

Are there any tips for solving harder levels?

Take time to identify the function of each joint and plan cascading movements. Experiment—sometimes, indirect moves lead to the most elegant solutions.

Game Info

Rating 4.1/5
Plays 46,038
Category puzzle
Difficulty easy
Mobile No
Death Sketchbook

Death Sketchbook

NSMB Mario Vs Luigi - KKT's Gooffy little Mod (V.1.1.0)

NSMB Mario Vs Luigi - KKT's Gooffy little Mod (V.1.1.0)

Jac LaPlume: Private Interrogator (DEMO)

Jac LaPlume: Private Interrogator (DEMO)

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

First Base | DAY 3

First Base | DAY 3

last seen online

last seen online

Last Chess Standing ♟️

Last Chess Standing ♟️

Type Help

Type Help

Party Project

Party Project

Hatsune Miku Bomb Squad!

Hatsune Miku Bomb Squad!

HER TREES : First Puzzle

HER TREES : First Puzzle

LRO - Luggage Retrieval Officer

LRO - Luggage Retrieval Officer

Bobby's Beautiful Bugs

Bobby's Beautiful Bugs

Petrichor

Petrichor

Horse Divorce - GMTK Game Jam 2021

Horse Divorce - GMTK Game Jam 2021

ROTA: Bend Gravity

ROTA: Bend Gravity

Monster Ladies : Avatar Creator

Monster Ladies : Avatar Creator

Subway Horror : CHAPTER 1

Subway Horror : CHAPTER 1

Karpe Diem: Pokemon Fishing Contest

Karpe Diem: Pokemon Fishing Contest

Starwind Shrine

Starwind Shrine

Loftlock

Loftlock

Flooder

Flooder

Snekburd

Snekburd

Tiny Crate

Tiny Crate

TRACE: Definitive Edition DEMO

TRACE: Definitive Edition DEMO

Sweet Hell

Sweet Hell

Lili's kitchen a romance story

Lili's kitchen a romance story

Triple Tiles

Triple Tiles

Box Out!

Box Out!

FREE RPG asset tileset demo pack (Super Retro World by Gif)

FREE RPG asset tileset demo pack (Super Retro World by Gif)

Bloodlust: Santa Monica (Definitive Edition)

Bloodlust: Santa Monica (Definitive Edition)

Interstellar Connection

Interstellar Connection

EDGE CASE

EDGE CASE

CIPHER-8

CIPHER-8

LUNIUM

LUNIUM

Walkerwall

Walkerwall

Skwish

Skwish

Hatchling

Hatchling

Nocturne

Nocturne

Tapeworm Disco Puzzle Demo

Tapeworm Disco Puzzle Demo

Petris for Gameboy Color / Game Gear / Analogue Pocket

Petris for Gameboy Color / Game Gear / Analogue Pocket

Villain Rehabilitation

Villain Rehabilitation

The Lost Borealis Expedition

The Lost Borealis Expedition

Exceed Guilty Gear Fan Game

Exceed Guilty Gear Fan Game

Skele Magic

Skele Magic

Tentaclescape

Tentaclescape

TrainPlanner

TrainPlanner

Crowded Dungeon Crawler

Crowded Dungeon Crawler

Skill Drop

Skill Drop

THERE WAS A MIXUP AT THE FACTORY!

THERE WAS A MIXUP AT THE FACTORY!

loconundrum

loconundrum

Loveless Losers

Loveless Losers

Globs (GMTK Game Jam 2024 Edition)

Globs (GMTK Game Jam 2024 Edition)

Cult Of The Cat

Cult Of The Cat

Dex Vex

Dex Vex

Mysis Horror Game

Mysis Horror Game

microtherapy for when you overthink a comment you made

microtherapy for when you overthink a comment you made

Blackout Blackout! Cómic+ minijuego

Blackout Blackout! Cómic+ minijuego

Cupid

Cupid

Courtyard

Courtyard

Omelettes

Omelettes

Butler! Summon the Imps!

Butler! Summon the Imps!

Gradation (Gamejam Version)

Gradation (Gamejam Version)

Captain Neat-O in the Time Nexus

Captain Neat-O in the Time Nexus

Day of the Sandwich

Day of the Sandwich

Detective GUI

Detective GUI

Pipe Skull

Pipe Skull

Domino Grove

Domino Grove

Fruit Pursuit

Fruit Pursuit

Monster Bonds

Monster Bonds

Gobe L'Or

Gobe L'Or

Haunted

Haunted

Impossible jump

Impossible jump

Auto Balls Incremental [Demo]

Auto Balls Incremental [Demo]

Tic Ultimate Toc

Tic Ultimate Toc

BIOS Saga IV

BIOS Saga IV

Fruit Crush Master

Fruit Crush Master

Climbing with GunDog [Jam version]

Climbing with GunDog [Jam version]

Shadowed Memories

Shadowed Memories

FaceCard (Demo)

FaceCard (Demo)

Assimilation

Assimilation

Hero Tactics

Hero Tactics

Air Pico

Air Pico

MISSION: BRIEFCASE! (SPY x FAMILY Edition)

MISSION: BRIEFCASE! (SPY x FAMILY Edition)

The SafeHouse Test Run

The SafeHouse Test Run

GuessMe: Brainrot Animals

GuessMe: Brainrot Animals

Drop Shot

Drop Shot

Grotesqueresque

Grotesqueresque

SIDE EFFECTS

SIDE EFFECTS

Peggy's Post

Peggy's Post

Kabuto Park Demo

Kabuto Park Demo

Bumpsters

Bumpsters

Dogman95

Dogman95

GET YOKED: Extreme Bodybuilding

GET YOKED: Extreme Bodybuilding

Carillon

Carillon

Öoo Demo

Öoo Demo

D-List Diva

D-List Diva

PUTRID SHOT ULTRA (Demo)

PUTRID SHOT ULTRA (Demo)

Dark Cards of Candlewood

Dark Cards of Candlewood

Coop Catacombs: Async Multiplayer Roguelike

Coop Catacombs: Async Multiplayer Roguelike