Fine Sweeper is a Minesweeper variant with additional features such as a campaign mode, “classic mode”, item drops, leader-boards, and achievements.
The core gameplay remains true to the original Minesweeper. Players must click on a grid of hidden squares to uncover whether they contain mines or numbers indicating the proximity of mines. Using logic and deduction, players then determine the locations of the remaining mines to clear the board.
The developers have introduced several new mechanics that enhance the experience. The most significant addition is the "heart" system, which grants players a limited number of lives. If a player clicks on a mine, they lose one of their hearts instead of instantly losing the game. This helps mitigate the random guessing that can occur, especially on higher difficulty levels, and allows players to learn from their mistakes.
Players can also choose to play in a "classic mode" that strips away the heart system for a pure, unforgiving Minesweeper experience. Alternatively, the "campaign mode" progressively increases the difficulty across dozens of levels, motivating players to improve their skills and strategies to overcome the obstacles.
The game includes a tutorial that teaches the basic Minesweeper mechanics, helping new players understand the core logic and strategy required to succeed. This, combined with the heart system, makes the game more welcoming to casual players who may have struggled with the unforgiving nature of the original.
Players can also customize various settings, such as the ability to disable the question mark system, and even create their own custom game boards to challenge themselves further. The game's integration with Steam allows players to compete on global and local leaderboards, as well as unlock a variety of achievements, fostering a sense of community and competition.