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- Picross DS
Picross
- August 27, 2007 15:09 PM PST
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Brain teasing puzzle games all the rage these days, with the gird based numbers game Sudoku leading the charge. Picross DS is an interesting addition to the genre that is fun for as long as it lasts but it certainly won't leave an impression the way more notable puzzle games like Sudoku or Tetris will.
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The basics of Picross are a little hard to explain but I'll give it a shot any way. There is a grid separated into sections; let's say for the sake of demonstration that we have one 15 squares wide by 15 squares high. Each row has a set of numbers attached to it; for our example, let's say one row has 1 2 1. This means that you must fill in one square, then there must be at least one space skipped, then you must fill in two squares, leave at least one blank, then fill in one last square. Which squares you fill in and which squares you leave alone are all dependant on a variety of factors including the surrounding rows and the image that you are trying to draw.
That's right: unlike other puzzle games, Picross has the added visual element to it. It might sound confusing but once you actually try a few puzzles, you quickly pick it up. Puzzles can be solved through deductive reasoning and by using the visual element as a guide, but you can also just brute force your way through, albeit with a time penalty attached.
That's really all there is to Picross. You can create your own puzzles and share them with others, which is neat. There are also a variety of modes for replayability, and the puzzles are fun to complete, but it's all fluffy and light-feeling, with none of the mental meatiness of Sudoku. That said, Picross DS is a really nice electronic version of the game and the controls make it easy to solve the puzzles. Surprisingly, the non-stylus method is far more useful, though you do need the stylus to solve some of the mini-game challenges.
This one is strictly for diehard puzzle fans and gamers who find the number-juggling of Sudoku to be too challenging or boring. It's a good little title that's enjoyable but ultimately of limited appeal.
Pros: Great electronic rendition of picross puzzles.
Cons: Fun for a while but it lacks the mental challenge of other, more difficult puzzle titles.
