About Pattern Recall
Pattern Recall tests visual memory in its simplest form. A handful of squares on a five by five grid flash on, then off. A moment later you are asked to point to them. Level one shows three squares. Each level adds one.
How it works
The pattern stays visible for about a second at first, and a little longer at each level, to allow for the extra squares. You can tap the squares in any order. A wrong tap ends the run, and the game then shows you the full pattern with your mistake marked, so you can see what you missed.
Most people manage five or six squares comfortably. Eight is where it becomes difficult, and anything in double figures is impressive.
Remembering more
Do not try to remember squares. Remember shapes. Three squares in a diagonal are one thing to hold in mind, not three. An L, a row, a pair of corners: the fewer separate items, the better.
Split the grid in your head. Many players think of it as four quarters and a centre, and note how many lit squares each part contains. "Two top left, one bottom right, one centre" is a short sentence and easy to keep.
Tap the squares you are least sure of first. Uncertain memories fade fastest, so use them while they are fresh. The ones forming an obvious shape will still be there in two seconds.
Do not rush the start of your answer, but do not dither either. The image is at its clearest immediately after it vanishes.
Take a breath between levels. The brief pause before each new pattern is your chance to clear the last one from your mind. As HTML5 games go it is tiny, and a very honest test.