Rules:
Normal sudoku rules apply.
All outside ? clues represents any digit between 1 and 9 inclusive.
Black outside clues give the number of cells sandwiched between the 1 and 9 in their row or column (not normal sandwiches) AND the numbered rooms clue AND skyscraper clue for their row or column from that direction. These clue values will be the same as they correspond to the same clue.
Red outside clues give only two of these three properties and therefore not one of them.
Skyscraper: Consider each digit in the grid as a building of that height. Clues outside the grid give the number of buildings that can be seen from that direction, with larger buildings hiding smaller ones.
Numbered Rooms: Clues outside the grid indicate the digit which has to be placed in the Nth cell in the corresponding direction, where N is the digit placed in the first cell in that direction.
An example is provided below to give you some intuition and clarification on the rules. Of course, in the example the sandwich is between 1 and 6 instead of 1 and 9. This example puzzle is solvable and links are provided: f-puzzles, CtC, Penpa+ (with answer check)
Main Puzzle Links:
If you enjoyed this puzzle, consider leaving a rating and comment or better yet recommend it to your fellow solvers! I hope you do so for all the puzzles you enjoy ;)
Also check out the puzzles/setters I linked in the first paragraph if you haven't already.
Solution code: Row 5 followed by column 8 (left to right, top to bottom, 18 digits, no spaces).
on 2. September 2022, 16:40 by Vebby
Bonkers, amazing how it all resolves!
on 13. June 2022, 23:46 by marcmees
Finally got there ... had to give it an other try after completing your newest in this "?" series.
Very nice. Thanks.
on 6. June 2022, 18:31 by OGRussHood
I thought Emre's puzzle was mad. This was madder than mad. This was psychotic.
on 6. May 2022, 16:23 by Niverio
The initial break-in is marvelous! Stunning.
on 3. May 2022, 15:48 by purpl
Thank you @the_cogito @kolot @twobear and @Dandelo for your lovely comments and for the helpful feedback. I agree with Dandelo that the rules are difficult to keep track of.
on 3. May 2022, 15:45 by purpl
Done! Full rules for skyscrapers and numbered rooms added to the post itself.
on 3. May 2022, 15:33 by Dandelo
I have rated it as very hard and very good, but for me it is close to the point where it is as difficult to keep track of the rules, as the solving process itself.
But please write the complete rules in the text, including skyscrapers and numbered rooms.
on 3. May 2022, 13:13 by twobear
Pure logic, great fun! Thanks a lot!
on 3. May 2022, 01:12 by kolot
Great puzzle! I enjoyed it a lot. It is cleverly designed and fun.
on 3. May 2022, 01:10 by the_cogito
Really cool puzzle, took some time to get my head around the constraint, but it was a fun solve once I did :)