Let us define a Strong Link as the relationship that exists between two Cells in a region (Row, Column or Square) when these two Cells are the only Cells in that region that contain a particular candidate: if the candidate is not the solution for the first Cell, it must be the solution for the second Cell, and vice-versa.
If we consider a 'Bi-Value' Cell, asserting that one of its candidates is not the solution implies that its other candidate must be the solution. Hence there also exists a Strong Link between the two candidates of a 'Bi-Value' Cell.
If we consider a 'Bi-Value' Cell, asserting that one of its candidates is not the solution implies that its other candidate must be the solution. Hence there also exists a Strong Link between the two candidates of a 'Bi-Value' Cell.
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If two Strong Links share a common Cell, we can form a Chain of three Cells with the common Cell in the middle. If we assume that the candidate in the Cell at one end of the Chain is not the solution for that Cell, then it must be the solution for the next Cell in the Chain because of the definition of a Strong Link. This, in turn and for the same reason, implies that the candidate can not be the solution for the third Cell in the Chain.
Conversely if we assume that the candidate in the Cell at one end of the Chain is the solution for that Cell, then it can not be the solution for the middle Cell and it must be the solution in the other end Cell of the Chain.
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- Sudoku strategies explained with graphics. Let us define a Strong Link as the relationship that exists between two Cells in a region (Row, Column or Square) when these two Cells are the only Cells in that region that contain a particular candidate: if the candidate is not the solution for the first Cell, it must be the solution for the second Cell, and vice-versa.
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If we consider a longer Chain exclusively made of Strong Links, the successive Nodes alternate from one state to the other.
This strategy analyzes such chains and uses colors to display these states. Because there are only two possible states, all candidates with the same color simultaneously must be the solution or can not be the solution.
3D MEDUSA (SAME COLOR TWICE IN A CELL) : We know that one of the two colors is the solution. As two candidates can not simultaneously be the solution for a Cell, the corresponding color can not be the solution; all candidates with this color can be eliminated. The other color is the solution.
In the example, starting with coloring candidate 3 in J3 leads to candidates 1 and 3 in G3 being both colored in yellow. As two different candidates can not be the solution in a particular Cell, the yellow chain can not identify the solution. The candidates colored in green are the solution and all candidates colored in yellow can be eliminated.
3D MEDUSA (TWICE IN A UNIT) : if two Nodes in the Chain belong to the same region (Row, Column or Square) and if they have the same color for the same candidate, then this color can not be the solution because a candidate can not be the solution for two cells in the same region; all candidates with this color can be eliminated. Hence the other color is the solution.
In the example, candidate 3 is colored in yellow in A9 and in H9. If the yellow color identified the solution, then candidate 3 would be the solution for two Cells in Column '9' which is impossible. Hence the green color identifies the solution and all candidates colored in yellow can be eliminated.
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However this is a theoritical case. The chain is built using iterations. The iteration 'coloring' the 'second node' in the same unit is preceded by the iteration that has colored the linked node with the other color. Which means that during this preceding iteration, the 'second node' already saw two candidates with differing colors (see below). In the example, before being colored in yellow, candidate 3 in H9 sees a yellow candidate 3 in A9 and a green candidate 3 in H4. Hence rule '3D MEDUSA (SEES TWO DIFFERENT COLORS)' would have been applied before coloring candidate 3 in H9 in yellow.
3D MEDUSA (TWO COLORS IN A CELL) : One of the two colors is the solution. If there are two candidates with different colors in a Cell, one of them must be the solution for that Cell. Hence all other candidates can be eliminated from the Cell.
In the example G9 must have either candidate 1, or candidate 5, as solution. The other candidates in this Cell can not be the solution.
3D MEDUSA (SEES TWO DIFFERENT COLORS) : Either one, or the other, color is the solution. If an uncolored candidate can 'see' (a Candidate 'sees' another Candidate if both Candidates belong to the same region) two candidates of different colors, then it is eliminated by one of them (we do not know yet by which one).
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In the example, candidate 7 in C9 sees candidates 7 of different colors in A8 and in C1. As candidate 7 must be the solution in one of these cells, it can not be the solution in C9.
3D MEDUSA (UNIT-CELL ELIMINATION) : Either one, or the other, color is the solution. If an uncolored candidate can 'see' a colored candidate with the same value and another candidate in its own Cell with the other color, then it can not be the solution and it can be eliminated.
In the example either candidate 9 is the solution in C9, or candidate 1 is the solution in F9. As candidate 1 in C9 sees both candidates, it can not be the solution in C9.
3D MEDUSA (EMPTYING A CELL) : If a particular uncolored Cell can 'see' Cells that each contain one of the candidates of the uncolored Cell and if all these candidates have the same color, then this color can not be the solution. Indeed, if it were the solution, it would eliminate all candidates from the particular Cell, which is not possible.
In the example if candidate 2 were the solution in B4 and candidate 9 the solution in E7, then all possible candidates would be eliminated in E4.
You can practice this strategy by installing the SudokuCoach application on your Android™ device.
(Redirected from Sudokumania)
Sudoku Mania | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Frontline Studios |
Publisher(s) | UFO Interactive Games |
Platform(s) | Nintendo DS |
Release | |
Genre(s) | Puzzle |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Sudoku Mania is a 2006 sudokupuzzle game developed by Frontline Studios and published by UFO Interactive Games. Released on June 30, 2006, Sudoku Mania received 'generally unfavorable' reviews from critics, having a Metascore of 25/100 on review aggregator Metacritic.[1] Critics criticized the game's controls for being 'disappointingly' 'simplistic' and 'obtuse'.[2][3]
Gameplay[edit]
A typical unsolved sudoku puzzle.
Sudoku Mania's gameplay is identical to that of the number-placement puzzle sudoku; players have to fill a 9×9 grid with numbers; however, no line or 3×3 box can feature multiple of the same number. The game is primarily controlled using the Nintendo DS' d-pad.[2] The game's puzzles are randomly-generated and are divided into 4 different difficulty levels: simple, easy, medium, and hard. The game allows players to write down notes and possible solutions and has an optional 'auto-solve' feature, which will automatically solve a puzzle.[4] Two other modes are also included in the game: one where the player fills the grid with symbols, rather than numbers,[3] and a local multiplayer mode, where two players take turns filling the grid, with the player who entered the most correct numbers winning.[2]
Development and release[edit]
Sudoku Mania was developed by the Frontline Studios,[3] located in Poland and the United States.[5] The California-based UFO Interactive Games published the game.[3]
Sudoku Mania was originally intended to release on June 23, 2006, in North America;[6] however, it was delayed to June 30.[7]
Reception[edit]
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | 25/100[1][a] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
AllGame | [4] |
GameZone | 3.4/10[3] |
IGN | 3/10[2] |
Sudoku Mania received 'generally unfavorable' reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic. On the aggregator, the game has a Metascore of 25/100, based on 4 reviews.[1] Critics criticized the game's controls; GameZone stated that the controls were 'obtuse' and 'counteractive' to the game's marketing, which advertised that the game had an 'easy-to-use' touchscreen control scheme;[3]IGN called the game's user interface 'simplistic' and, when in comparison with other sudoku games on the Nintendo DS, 'disappointing'.[2]
Chris Oder, in a review for GameZone, called Sudoku Mania a 'fad cash-in', stating that there are better alternatives to the game on the Nintendo DS, even if players are fans of sudoku. Oder rated the game's gameplay 3.5/10, stating that Sudoku Mania was one of the few times where a developer had messed-up a sudoku video game. Oder criticized the graphics due to the game's background and called the game's soundtrack 'awful', and suggested that players should play Sudoku Mania with volume turned off. Oder was more positive towards the game's concept, rating it 6.1/10; Oder praised the game's randomly-generating puzzles for being unique.[3]
Craig Harris of IGN stated that, even if it was the only sudoku game on the Nintendo DS, it'd be hard to recommend Sudoku Mania, stating that players should 'stock-up' on paperback versions of sudoku, rather than playing Sudoku Mania. Harris called the game even worse when in comparison with other sudoku games on the Nintendo DS. Alike Oder, Harris was positive towards the game's concept of having randomly-generated puzzles, but criticized its execution, calling it 'rudimentary' and noting how some puzzles could be solved in a 'snap' due to their easiness.[2]
Gracie Leach of AllGame noted how Sudoku Mania has similarities with Hudson Soft's Sudoku Gridmaster, another sudoku puzzle game on the Nintendo DS.[4]
Notes[edit]
Sudoku Coaching
References[edit]
Sudoku Coach
- ^ abc'Sudoku Mania for DS Reviews'. Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ abcdefHarris, Craig (May 17, 2012). 'Sudokumania Review'. IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ abcdefgOder, Chris (July 27, 2006). 'Sudoku-Mania Review'. GameZone. Archived from the original on July 13, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ abcLeach, Gracie. 'Sudoku Mania'. AllGame. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on February 15, 2010. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^'FRONTLINE Studios: About'. LinkedIn. Frontline Studios. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^Sinclair, Brendan (June 19, 2006). 'Shippin' Out June 19-23: NFL Head Coach, Alexander, Tomb Raider PSP'. GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^Sinclair, Brendan (June 28, 2006). 'Shippin' Out June 26-30: Over G, Titan Quest, Pirates of the Caribbean'. GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
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