Merelles is an abstract strategy game, which means the game involves no chance, only logic. There are several variations of this game, with boards of different sizes and a differing number of pieces per player. The rules of the game are for the most part the same across game types.

Starting the game

On starting the application, select whether you want to play a one player game (against a computer opponent) or a two player game (against another player on the same device). From the main menu you can also view the instructions and check your score record, per level, per game type. Use the settings icon, which is available on most screens to go to the settings screen, which lets you turn sound effects on and off and to choose your theme (currently there are two available: stones on wood and floating in space) - the choice of theme changes the graphics and sound effects in the game accordingly.

On selection of a one player or two player game, select the game type to play from the four types available (four, six, nine and twelve men games).

If you're playing a one player game, you will also need to select the computer level and the color you want to play. The computer levels are easy, medium and difficult. The player playing the dark color (black or red, depending on the theme) always starts the game. The options you chose in the last game you played are highlighted.

Game play

The game makes full use of the large iPhone™ and iPod® Touch display, with large animated graphics and tap moves. The volume of the in-game sounds are the same as the master volume on your device, or may be completely disabled on the settings screen, or by muting your device with the hardware switch on the side.

When the game starts, the board is empty and the pieces available to each player to place on the board are shown at the very top of the screen. The number of pieces varies by game type. To place a piece on the board, simply tap the position.

Once all the pieces have been placed on the board, to play a move you need to first select the piece you want to move by tapping it. The valid positions you may move to become highlighted, tap one of these positions to move the piece. Some pieces may not be able to move if all the adjacent positions are occupied.

During the placing phase or the moving phase, if you create a mill (see the rules), select the opponent's piece to remove from the board by tapping it. Pieces that may not be removed are shaded.

You can undo any move you play by pressing the undo button, and redo it with the redo button. You can start a new game, or end a game and return to the main menu, by pushing the new button. In the status area below the board, a small marker indicates whose turn it is; the number of moves played in the game is also shown as well as the difficulty level when playing a one player game.

The complete state of the game is automatically saved when you leave the game, so if you leave a game in progress to perform some other function on your device, the next time you launch it you are returned to your game as you left it.