Tightrope Tom
Play Tightrope Tom free online. Keep a high wire walker balanced between pastel city rooftops, lean against every wobble and gust, and see how far he gets.
How to Play Tightrope Tom
Tom walks a high wire strung between the rooftops of a sleepy pastel city. He keeps walking forward on his own. Your only job is to keep him upright, because the further he leans, the faster he tips.
Press toward the side that will bring him back to the middle. If Tom is tipping to the right, press Left to shift his weight back, and the other way round. The balance meter at the top shows how far he is leaning, and if it reaches either end, Tom falls and the walk is over.
You score one point for every metre walked. Every 60 metres Tom reaches a rooftop, earns a 50 point bonus and gets a short rest while the wire settles down.
The wire gets wobblier the further Tom goes, and gusts of wind push him to one side. Pale wind streaks warn you which way the next gust will blow a moment before it arrives.
Controls
Touch
- Hold the left half of the game to shift Tom left, or the right half to shift him right.
Mouse
- Hold the mouse button on the left or right half of the game.
Keyboard
- Left and Right arrows, or A and D, shift Tom's balance. P or Escape pauses, M mutes.
Tips and Tricks
- Make small, early corrections. Waiting until Tom is leaning far over means you need a huge push to save him.
- Do not hold a key for too long, or you will tip him straight over to the other side.
- When you see wind streaks, lean into them a little before the gust arrives.
- Use the rooftop rests to breathe. The next stretch is always a little harder.
About the Game
Tightrope Tom is a balance game about gentle, well-timed touches. The physics is simple: the further Tom leans, the harder gravity pulls him over, so the trick is to catch every wobble while it is still small.
It is drawn in soft sunset pastels with a city of tiny lit windows below the wire. Your best distance score is kept in this browser and can go on the Top 10 board.
Tightrope Tom FAQ
Which key do I press when Tom tips?
Press the opposite side. If he is tipping right, press Left to bring his weight back over the wire.
How far apart are the rooftops?
There is a rooftop every 60 metres. Each one is worth 50 points and gives Tom a short rest.
How do I see a gust coming?
Pale wind streaks drift across the sky just before a gust, on the side it will push from.
Does the tightrope get harder?
Yes. The wire wobbles more and the gusts get stronger the further Tom walks.
