Liar Japanese Sums #5 - Ciphered Cave
(Published on 11. February 2023, 11:40 by Niverio)
Rules:
Liar Japanese Sums: Shade some cells in the grid such that clues outside the grid indicate the sums of the continuous blocks of unshaded cells in that row or column. Place digits from 1-9 in every unshaded cell such that no digit repeats in a row or column. At least one shaded cell must separate the blocks. For every clued row or column, 2 different sets are provided (Left / Right for rows, Top / Bottom for columns.) One set is correct, with correct sums in the correct order.(Always left to right or top to bottom.) The other set is a lie. Which sets are correct must be determined by the solver. In these sets, some sums are given as ? clues. ? clues are single digit clues, ?? clues are two-digit clues, and the leading ? cannot be a zero.
Cipher: Outside clues are ciphered, where every distinct letter stands in for a unique digit 0-9. Every digit is assigned to a unique letter as well.
Cave: The filled (unshaded) cells of the Japanese Sums puzzle form a cave: all filled (unshaded) cells are connected and every empty (shaded) cell is connected to the edge by other empty cells.
Note: Unlike other puzzles in the series, the wall cells in this puzzle do not contain digits!
Puzzle Links: You can play this puzzle on either Penpa+ or in CTC. Answer check is enabled in Penpa+ for correct gray shading of the walls + correct number placement, including the cryptic table.
Solution code: The penultimate column (Column 11), top to bottom, with wall cells marked with S (for shaded). 12 characters, no commas or spaces. Example: SSS123456789
Comments
on 22. December 2024, 15:36 by Silverstep
First hard puzzle of the series! Got stumped for half an hour before I realized what was going on, haha. That cipher tech is no longer as common in 2024. The hidden single scanning at the end was really hard too.
Final time: 01:48:44
on 11. July 2024, 23:04 by kamkam
It took me 3 hours and a half to slay that beast. The first half was quite easy - but once the shading done, it became very tough. Thank you for the puzzle :) love that serie
on 23. May 2024, 23:57 by Christounet
Time flew while I was solving this... Surprisingly easier than I expected after reading the other comments, but still a long enjoyable solve ! Very subtle opening, all in the little details... Very happy to have a couple more puzzles to solve in this serie. Thanks :)
on 5. October 2023, 10:57 by AnnaTh
Finally found the time to immerse myself into this masterpiece. Thanks for this beautiful puzzle!
on 27. September 2023, 03:33 by wisty
Beautiful puzzle! I found the break-in really quickly. The rest of the puzzle still took about four hours, and I had help. It's thoroughly and consistently gorgeous setting - there are lots of really satisfying moments. I'm exhausted! Thank you so much for sharing this, the first half especially made me smile and laugh a lot.
on 20. September 2023, 21:51 by Playmaker6174
If this puzzle doesn't make for the #1 spot of the greatest puzzles from Niverio, then it's a very close #2.
What an absolutely magnificent puzzle with a plethora of brilliant logic and surprising moments throughout! My most favorite parts of the solve were the incredible opening sequence and the elegant interactions around col 11 and 12 ;)
on 18. September 2023, 17:20 by karlmortenlunna
Absolutely one of my favorites from you, maybe the favorite! Fantastic puzzle.
on 3. May 2023, 14:26 by Agent
Wow, that was a brutal and utterly amazing puzzle!
on 16. March 2023, 22:39 by chalk235
incredible and enjoyable - but it took me a long time to solve!
on 20. February 2023, 16:58 by PixelPlucker
A wonderful finale, thanks!
on 19. February 2023, 17:30 by filuta
I'm lost for words (except for one or two perhaps) - truly magnificent puzzle!
on 18. February 2023, 14:25 by Piatato
Great puzzle! Very clever and elegant from start to finish.
on 14. February 2023, 07:08 by cha
MASTERPIECE!
on 13. February 2023, 19:07 by Xendari
I think the opening to this puzzle is one of the most elegant that I've ever seen. Very lovely solve throughout. Thank you :)
on 13. February 2023, 18:52 by Snookerfan
Superb puzzle! So many clever deductions to make, especially to start the puzzle. A very rewarding and memorable solve. Thank you
on 12. February 2023, 00:20 by polar
Very fun and enjoyable puzzle! Also my favourite puzzle from you :) Thanks Niv!
on 11. February 2023, 23:01 by Jesper
Awesome series finale! Really pushed the clue ambiguity logic further than ever before. Loved it!
on 11. February 2023, 18:46 by Vebby
Brilliant puzzle and a fitting finale! Thanks Niv!
on 11. February 2023, 18:06 by KNT
My favorite puzzle from you, for sure. I’m glad I was able to inspire such a fun puzzle, really smooth and engaging start to finish!
on 11. February 2023, 17:27 by Myxo
Amazing puzzle!
on 11. February 2023, 15:17 by ONeill
Wow! A superb finale to the series. This puzzle is packed with original logic from start to finish, a shame the series is at an end. Thanks!
