Paper.io
Claim territory by looping out and back. Everything you own is safe, and everything outside it is a tail someone can cut.
Paper.io is the cleanest of the io games because the risk is built directly into the reward. Inside your own territory you are untouchable. Step outside and you leave a trail, and that trail is the only thing anyone can kill you with — including yourself.
So every expansion is a decision about how far to push before turning home. A tight loop is safe and slow; a long sweep across the map doubles your area and leaves you exposed for ten seconds. Other players will deliberately chase a trail rather than claim ground, which makes the midgame a genuine standoff rather than a painting exercise.
Controls
Arrow keys, WASD or mouse to steer
Tips
- Make small loops constantly rather than one huge one. Area banked is area nobody can take.
- Cutting another player trail kills them instantly, so chasing is often worth more than expanding.
- Never cross your own trail. Most deaths in this game are self-inflicted rather than caused by an opponent.