Underneath that rainbow of squares lies treasure galore! Wait. Did I say "treasure"? I meant "demons"... demons galore! Anyways, demons are cool and you're just the shoveler both dedicated and color-coordinated enough to dig them all up! Mamono Digger is a simple idea puzzler by Hojokama Games that makes the ol' SameGame formula feel a little different.
Mamono Digger is in Japanese, but the mechanics are easy to pick up: Click and drag on the grid to trace out rectangles. If the rectangle you traced contains 1. Two or more blocks the same color and 2. No blocks of any other color, those blocks will be removed from the board. Scattered underneath this field of squares are fourteen pictures of monsters. Uncover all of a picture, and it will be added to your collection. Gameplay continues until all the pictures have been uncovered, or there are no moves left to make. Engaging a perfect balance of player luck and skill, Mamono Digger is a minimalist, almost zen experience. It's just so satisfying when you're finally able to fully uncover each creature. Mamono Digger probably won't have much replay value once you've beaten it. Then again, you probably won't be able to stop playing until you do.
Interesting game and I can see how it might become additive until all monsters are uncovered. Would be improved if there were an undo or even a restart button.
The best I could do was all Mamono collected and 23 blocks left. Anyone able to do better?
Note to everone: The goal is to uncover pictures, not clear the board of bricks. It makes a difference, and really makes things much easier. ;) Think of it more like Battleship, and less like a Match-Three game.
@LightWarriorK
Even after collecting all the pictures, the game keeps going untill no more matches can be made. Also, when the game ends it tells you how many blocks you had left, so wouldn't that mean that clearing the board is a part of the game?
I guess so, but it seems like an extra, not really the intent.
It seems like you could go either way... try to uncover all the monsters and get rid of all the blocks, OR try to uncover the monsters by removing as few blocks as possible!
has anyone gotten all 14 (i've gotten 13 multiple times)? or a strategy for that matter?
edit: FINALLY DID IT
jcfclark, I think it would be hugely improved if there was an undo button. I gave a little scream several times.
Also, for me it would be hugely improved by having brighter colours. The yellow is great, the purple and blue are somewhat ok, but the dark green looks far too much like the background.
I was glad to be able to increase the size of the playing area (just using the browser controls).
Aside from my whining, a great game, and even if I do manage to beat it, it will just be from dumb luck, so for me, the replay value is huge.
Still am coming back to this game - have yet to uncover all demons. I also agree with barbara, especially the green. Several times I've wondered why the blocks don't "pop" away and then I see the green square in the way. It does blend into the background and is difficult to see.
Does the position of the monsters change each time?
inheritance.fan: Yes the position of the monsters changes each time
elbottso: I just found all monsters and had 8 blocks left at the end!
Whoowee! Yes, it was just "dumb luck" but I finally beat it with only 7 blocks left.
Sadly, I have no strategy to offer. I have figured out a strategy that doesn't work, though. Clearing blocks starting from the outside in doesn't leave enough different colours in isolated areas to clear the single blocks. Creating lots of small gaps all over the playing area seemed to work best for me.
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