# The Fulcrum

> Physics puzzle game about balancing a beam with weighted stones. (iPhone/iPad app by Bill Schenk.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-fulcrum/id6760799324 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Bill Schenk](https://appshunter.io/developer/1886298781)
- Category: Games, Puzzle
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 3 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2026-03-24
- Data updated: 2026-06-01
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-fulcrum/id6760799324/reviews.md

## What is The Fulcrum?

The Fulcrum is a physics-based puzzle game about balance. Place weighted stones on a beam and keep it level — but position matters as much as
  weight. A heavy stone near the center barely tips the scales. That same stone at the edge? Leverage changes everything.

  GAMEPLAY
  Each puzzle gives you a set of numbered stones. Place them on the beam, then watch physics take over. Hold the balance for 3 seconds and you
  win. Fail to balance, and the beam tips — try again with a new strategy.

  As you progress, the puzzles grow richer:
  • Slot Mode — stones snap to fixed positions, demanding precise placement
  • Free Physics Mode — stones drop with gravity and can collide and merge mid-fall
  • Balloon Stones — negative-value stones float upward, adding upward lift to counter heavy sides
  • Pivot Shifting — the fulcrum moves mid-simulation on advanced levels, forcing you to adapt
  • Distractor Stones — not every stone belongs in the solution; figure out which ones to use

  150 HANDCRAFTED LEVELS
  From a gentle introduction to beam physics, to complex multi-stone arrangements with shifting pivots and balloon counters — every level is
  hand-designed with a specific solution and escalating challenge.

  THREE GAME MODES
  • Campaign — 150 levels with carefully tuned difficulty progression
  • Daily Challenge — a new unique puzzle every day for bonus points
  • Zen Mode — endless procedurally generated puzzles; see how long your streak can last

  EARN FULCRUM GEMS
  Solve levels fast to earn gem ratings: Raw Stone, Polished, or Diamond. Every level tracks your best gem, and your total gem count appears on
  the Game Center leaderboard.

  CLEAN AND FOCUSED
  No ads. No paywalls. No energy timers. Just puzzles.

  Built with SpriteKit. Designed for focus.

## Key features

- Physics-based balancing gameplay
- 150 handcrafted levels
- Slot Mode, Free Physics Mode, Balloon Stones, Pivot Shifting, Distractor Stones
- Campaign, Daily Challenge, and Zen Modes
- Earn gem ratings and compete on leaderboards
- No ads or in-app purchases


## Frequently asked questions about The Fulcrum

### What is The Fulcrum?

The Fulcrum is a physics-based puzzle game focused on balancing a beam. Players strategically place weighted stones to achieve equilibrium, with position and weight being key factors.

### How many levels are in The Fulcrum?

The Fulcrum features 150 meticulously handcrafted levels, designed to provide an escalating challenge from a gentle introduction to complex multi-stone arrangements.

### What game modes does The Fulcrum offer?

The Fulcrum includes a Campaign mode with 150 levels, a Daily Challenge for a new puzzle each day, and an endless Zen Mode with procedurally generated puzzles.

### Does The Fulcrum have ads?

No, The Fulcrum is designed to be a clean and focused experience with no advertisements. Players can enjoy uninterrupted gameplay.

### Can I play The Fulcrum offline?

The description does not explicitly state offline play capabilities. However, the absence of mentions of online-only features suggests it may be playable offline.

### What devices is The Fulcrum available on?

The Fulcrum is available on iPhone and iPad devices, as indicated by its supported devices list.

### How does The Fulcrum handle in-app purchases?

The Fulcrum has no in-app purchases, meaning all content and features are available without additional spending. It is a completely free experience.

### What is the age rating for The Fulcrum?

The Fulcrum has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of players.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 1.1.0 — 2026-04-04

What's New in Version 1.1.0

  Daily Streaks
  Complete the Daily Challenge on consecutive days to build your streak. Hit milestones at 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 30 days to earn bonus gems.

  New Stone Types
  Three new stone types add fresh puzzle variety:
  - Timed stones disappear after a countdown — place them fast
  - Locked stones can't be moved once set on the beam
  - Magnetic stones pull or push nearby stones during simulation

  Star Challenges
  Each level now has an optional star challenge — an extra constraint like "use only 3 stones" or "no outer slots." Complete them for bragging
  rights.

  Multi-Beam Levels
  Some levels now feature two beams that must both balance at the same time.

  Time Trial Mode
  Race through all 15 levels in a world as fast as you can. Your best time is saved per world.

  Ambient Music
  A new generative soundtrack evolves as you play, with harmonic shifts when the beam nears balance. Toggle it on or off in Settings.

  Better Feedback
  - Torque values now display on each side of the beam during simulation
  - Haptics vary by stone weight — heavier stones feel heavier
  - Difficulty dots on the level select screen show how tough each level is

  Expanded Undo
  Undo multiple moves instead of just one.

  Daily Streak Stats
  Check your current and best daily streak in Settings.

### 1.0.1 — 2026-03-26

---
  Version 1.0.1

  Fixed an issue on levels 37 and above where the balance timer would not start after returning to the game from the
  background or retrying a level quickly. The beam now resumes correctly in all cases.

  ---

### 1.0 — 2026-03-25

No release notes.

## More apps by Bill Schenk

- [Cracks - A Puzzle Game](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracks-a-puzzle-game/id6760981933)
- [Gravity Arc - A Puzzle Game](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gravity-arc-a-puzzle-game/id6760983765)
- [Grains - A Journal](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grains-a-journal/id6761574537)

All apps by Bill Schenk: https://appshunter.io/developer/1886298781

## Related topics

[fulcrum](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/fulcrum)

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-01.*
