Draw a Lightning Bolt From Memory

The bolt is on screen for a couple of seconds, then it is gone and the canvas is empty. You draw it back from memory - one unbroken line, all straight edges, no curves anywhere - and your attempt is scored against the target and laid over it afterwards, so you can see exactly where the angles went.

A lightning bolt is the shape everyone thinks they know. What memory drops is that it is not symmetrical: the upper arm leans one way, the lower arm leans back the other, and the step between them sits off-centre rather than in the middle. The other common miss is the corner count - people add zigzags that are not there, because a bolt feels busier than it is.

This is a practice round: played and scored for real, and it changes nothing in your game - no coins, no best score, no unlocks - so you can take it as often as you like, whether or not you have reached Symbols in the Shape Challenge.

Questions people ask

What happens after the shape disappears?: You draw on a blank canvas with no guide underneath, in one attempt. The outline comes back afterwards, laid over your drawing so you can see the difference.
How is my score worked out?: Shape match, coverage, smoothness and scale, combined into one score shown with a star rating and a tip. Shape match counts for the most, at 70%.
Can I play with other people?: Two ways. 2 Players passes one device back and forth, alternating who draws first each round. Multiplayer opens a live room for 2–8 players over 5, 10 or 15 rounds, joined with a six-character code.
How many shapes are there?: 276 shapes across 12 categories, from geometry and letters to animals, food and fantasy.

Browse Every Shape Challenge →

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