How to play Scary Maze
- Press Play game, choose a difficulty, then press Play in the menu.
- Press near the red dot and hold the mouse button, or place your finger near it. Drag along the dark grey path.
- Reach the blue goal to move to the next level. Release and grab the dot again at its new starting point.
- If you leave the path, select Retry to restart the current level. The run's timer continues through retries.
- Complete the last level of your chosen mode to reveal the jumpscare and save your time.
Use the optional Full screen button for more space. You can also play inside this page. Turning your phone keeps your position; lift your finger, then grab the dot again.
Choose your difficulty
| Mode | Levels | Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | 3 | A shorter run with the standard movement tolerance. |
| Normal | 5 | Two extra levels with tighter passages. |
| Hard | 7 | The full route with reduced movement tolerance. |
| Expert | 7 | A tighter challenge with a small visible area around the dot while dragging. |
Levels 3, 5 and 7 contain precision sections. The scare happens after the last level of the selected mode, not necessarily after level 3. Each mode has its own personal best, stored in this browser.
Tips for the narrow sections
- Slow down before a corner. Cutting diagonally across a wall counts as a mistake, even if the cursor lands back on the path.
- Keep the centre of the red dot on the path. Its visible circle is a guide; collision checks use its centre with a small tolerance.
- On a phone, try landscape or full screen if your finger covers the next turn.
- In Expert mode, learn the route before grabbing the dot and narrowing your field of view.
The original Scary Maze and this adaptation
The original “The Maze”, created by Jeremy Winterrowd, became known for turning a steady-hand maze into a surprise scare. Its simple presentation and reaction videos helped make it a familiar internet prank.
Scary Maze: Expert is a browser adaptation inspired by that idea, rather than the original Flash release. This version uses HTML5 canvas, adds four difficulty modes and up to seven levels, and supports mouse and touch input. Its layout and gameplay differ from the original.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Flash, an account or a download?
No. The game runs with JavaScript in your browser, without Flash, registration or an installation.
How many levels are there?
Easy has 3, Normal has 5, and Hard and Expert have 7. The game ends with a jumpscare when you finish the selected route.
Can I play on a phone?
Use one finger to drag the dot. The menu adapts to smaller screens. Full screen is optional and depends on your browser; opening the game in a separate tab is another way to gain space.
Why is there no sound?
Check your device volume and browser sound settings. Sound playback can be blocked by the browser. Gameplay still works without sound.
Where are my records stored?
Your language choice and best time for each mode are saved locally in this browser when storage is available. They are not synced across devices. Clearing site data removes them.
Which languages does the game support?
The game menu supports English, Polish, German, French, Spanish and Russian. Use its language buttons to switch. This guide is in English.
The game did not load. What can I do?
Use Retry loading, check your connection, or open the game in a separate tab. A browser extension may also block a required script.