How LevelFinder's AI Screenshot Matching Works
When you upload a screenshot to LevelFinder, the system returns the closest matching walkthrough video within seconds. This post explains the general approach behind the screenshot solver and how to get the best results from it.
The basic idea
The solver works by analyzing the visual layout of your screenshot — the positions and types of game elements on the board — and comparing that layout against a library of thousands of known level configurations. Each known level has been pre-analyzed the same way, so the comparison is consistent. The library entry that most closely matches your screenshot is returned as the result.
This approach is fundamentally different from simple image comparison. Instead of matching pixels, the system understands what is on the board and where it is positioned. This means screenshots from different devices, at different resolutions, and with minor visual differences can still match correctly as long as the board layout is the same.
Why screenshot quality matters
The accuracy of the match depends on how clearly the system can read your board. Screenshots taken at the very start of a level, before any moves have been made, produce the most reliable matches. Once passengers start moving, the board state changes and may no longer match any known reference.
The full game board should be visible in the screenshot. If part of the board is covered by a menu, notification, or overlay, the system has less information to work with and the match quality drops. Avoid cropping the image — the solver uses the relative positions of elements across the entire board.
The reference library
Behind the solver is a curated library of over 4,000 Crowd Express level references. Each entry was created from a known walkthrough video and captures the board layout for that specific level. The library covers levels from the earliest introductory puzzles through the most recent challenge stages.
New entries are added regularly as the game releases updates and community creators publish new walkthrough videos. If a level is missing from the library, the solver will return the closest available match — which is often a level with a very similar board arrangement.
When matches are less accurate
No matching system is perfect. There are situations where the solver may return a close-but-not-exact match. The most common causes are screenshots taken mid-level after moves have been made, boards that are partially obscured, and levels where multiple different board arrangements produce very similar layouts.
If the match does not look right, the best approach is to go back and take a cleaner screenshot from the start of the level. You can also browse the level guide to find your level by number if you know which level you are on.
Speed and privacy
The full matching process — from upload to result — typically completes in under five seconds, even on mobile connections. Your uploaded screenshot is processed and then discarded. It is not stored permanently or used for any purpose beyond finding the match. No account or personal information is required to use the solver.
Tips for the best results
To get the most accurate match from the screenshot solver, follow these guidelines: take the screenshot at the very start of the level before any passengers have moved, make sure the full board is visible with no overlays or menus covering the game area, use a standard screenshot (PNG or JPG) without editing or cropping, and upload the image directly from your device's photo library or screenshot folder.
If you are consistently getting mismatches on a specific level, it may be a layout that is not yet in the library. You can submit feedback through the solver page to let us know, and we will work on adding it.