Link, link! Slithering link! Link, link! Slithering link! (PLAY SOME MORE!) If you're looking for a nice puzzle to wrap your mind around, Conceptis has come through once again with the next installment in their Conceptis Light series. This time, it's Slitherlink Light, a sampler pack of the logic puzzle that will have you running around in circles.
In each puzzle, you'll find a grid of dots, with a handful of numbers thrown in. Your task in each puzzle is to make a single loop (that doesn't cross itself) by connecting the dots with lines. The numbers in the grid tell you how many sides of that particular square are bordered by a line segment. For example, a square with a 2 has two sides in the loop (they don't have to be adjacent sides), while a 0 won't touch the loop at all. Mouse over the space between two dots (you should see a small highlighted rectangle) and click to place a line, or click again to change it to mark the area with an X.
Fans of the Conceptis Light series so far will recognize the pattern of ten puzzles of three different sizes, to give an introductory taste of the puzzles. This means experienced puzzlers might be a bit disheartened by the smaller 6x6 puzzles. Perhaps surprisingly, however, the difficulty does ramp up toward the end of the 10x10 puzzles, which is a welcome twist to this series. Part of the difficulty might come from certain auto-completion features missing from this light version, so you don't have the puzzle taking care of every deduction yourself. There are also instances where you have to work out the end of a puzzle using trial and error.
Regardless of your experience with Slitherlink puzzles, Slitherlink Light offers a challenge to satisfy your logical cravings. Let yourself get wrapped up in the twists and turns of this puzzle, and you'll be slithering your way to a fun ti—BOOOOOM!!!
Link-a-Pix, Link-a-Pix, oh Link-a Link-a-Pix, oh Link-a-Pix!
(Curtain.)
Walkthrough Guide
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Slitherlink Tips
A good place to start is by looking for a few key digits in certain patterns or locations that will always have the same results.
A 3 in a corner: The two line segments in the corner must be a part of the loop. Why? To exclude one of these two lines would mean the loop would reach a dead end in the corner.
A 1 in a corner: The two line segments in the corner must NOT be a part of the loop. Why? Including either of these lines would lead the loop into a dead end.
A 2 in a corner. Similar to the two examples above, you can't have a loop end in the corner, so either both segments in the corner will be part of the loop, or neither will be. In either case, you know that the loop must exit out of that square through the two squares adjacent to the 2, along the outside edge.
Two (or more) adjacent 3s: The segments between the 3s must be part of the loop. Why? If the space between the 3s is left empty, the loop would close in on itself. Similarly, the segments opposite the middle points must be a part of the loop. Why? If those points are left empty, they prevent the other 3 from achieving the necessary three segments.
Two diagonally adjacent 3s: The two line segments on the "outside" of the two 3s must be a part of the loop. Why? If both of the internal segments of one 3 are part of the loop, it prevents the other 3 from achieving the necessary three segments.
Don't forget that any of the tricks (particularly, those involving numbers tucked into corners) can be used at any time. Look for new corners created in the middle of the grid as you eliminate possibilities.
Slitherlink Light Solutions
Level 1 (6x6)
Puzzle 1:
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Puzzle 2:
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Puzzle 3:
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Puzzle 4:
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Puzzle 5:
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Puzzle 6:
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Puzzle 7:
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Puzzle 8:
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Puzzle 9:
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Puzzle 10:
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Level 2 (8x8)
Puzzle 1:
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Puzzle 2:
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Puzzle 3:
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Puzzle 4:
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Puzzle 5:
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Puzzle 6:
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Puzzle 7:
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Puzzle 8:
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Puzzle 9:
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Puzzle 10:
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Level 3 (10x10)
Puzzle 1:
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Puzzle 2:
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Puzzle 3:
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Puzzle 4:
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Puzzle 5:
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Puzzle 6:
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Puzzle 7:
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Puzzle 8:
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Puzzle 9:
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Puzzle 10:
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Posted by: Steve
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June 29, 2011 10:05 AM