The grid of forking paths
(Published on 2. January 2025, 05:02 by pdyxs)
This puzzle is an experiment in choice - it asks you to make a choice at the start of the puzzle which will affect your experience of it. I hope you enjoy it!
Rules
Sudoku: Fill the marked 3x3 boxes with digits 1 to 9, so that each digit occurs exactly once in every row, every column and every 3x3 box.
Kropki: If there is a white dot between two digits, one digit must be one more than the other. If there is a black dot between two digits, one digit must be twice the other.
Rooms: The grid is divided into rooms, each of which is shaded.
Doors: Kropki dots act as doors between rooms. Complete the room you're in and the digits on either side of a door to open a new door.
Diverging paths: At the start of the puzzle, choose to either open only black doors, or only white doors. Only open doors of the opposing colour once you've completed the room in the centre of the puzzle.
Unknowns: Each room is solvable using only the rules you've uncovered to get there - you can ignore any symbols that are unfamiliar.
More Experimental Fog puzzles:
Solution code: Row 1, then Column 9
Comments
on 9. February 2025, 01:13 by Kermit
Amazing setting to make this work in both directions; I was in trouble clockwise until I figured out I was overly constraining myself on the constraints :)
on 8. February 2025, 04:58 by pdyxs
small link fix
on 8. February 2025, 04:55 by pdyxs
Some rules fixes, and formatting updates
on 6. February 2025, 21:53 by VitP
this is a fine puzzle, but there are some rules errors and omissions.
i don't have time to rewrite the rules, but points that should be included are:
1) state UP FRONT that there are standard rules, and also UNIQUE rules and symbols that will be revealed and explained as the solution progresses.
2) there are "rooms", delineated by white borders. room colour may or may not vary, but has no effect.
3) this is ONE puzzle. therefore, sudoku applies to the ENTIRE grid at ALL times.
3a) you can solve the puzzle CLOCKWISE or ccw. for the first option, use only white doors until the middle box is completed. otherwise, use the black doors first. on either path, use only the special rules that have been revealed at any given time, and ignore "unknown" symbols.
on 24. January 2025, 23:45 by dzamie
This was a lot of fun; any one of these rules could make their own fun puzzle, but seeing them all together was a wonderful experience!
on 3. January 2025, 13:45 by fishsaltyak
Interesting puzzle.
18 digit solution code is a bit obnoxious
on 2. January 2025, 12:16 by Jensa
Fantastically unique puzzle, quite an experience!
on 2. January 2025, 11:42 by Rollo
Das hat richtig Spaß gemacht:-).
on 2. January 2025, 11:02 by cryptique
Very nice to solve both ways
on 2. January 2025, 09:49 by davidemsa
I love the idea of a puzzle that gives a choice of which path to take. And the execution is great, both paths are interesting.
on 2. January 2025, 09:09 by Kawkaz
I absolutely enjoyed this weird puzzle!
