Zodiac Project: Ponta Delgada
(Published on 9. July 2024, 19:49 by Florian Wortmann)
This is the 11th chapter of the Zodiac Project, initiated by ViKingPrime. The idea is that one builds a puzzle around a specified disjoint set before picking a new one and handing the baton over to the next puzzle setter. I am happy to be a part of it. The previous parts of the series are:
Chapter 1: Orion's Belt by ViKingPrime
Chapter 2: Counting Castles by marty_sears
Chapter 3: Derezzed by heliopolix
Chapter 4: Rodd Stevens by 99%Sneaky
Chapter 5: Phase Shift by meggen033
Chapter 6: Cage Decoder by sujoyku
Chapter 7: Star Chart by Flinty
Chapter 8: Parity Expedition by palpot
Chapter 9: Suguru's Surge by gdc
Chapter 10: Minefield Maneuvers by SamuPiano
I am delighted to announce lerroyy as the next setter, and cannot wait to see what he comes up with. This is the set I picked for him:
Chapter 11: Ponta Delgada
When SamuPiano gave me this specific set to work with, I immediately had a nurikabe killer in mind. Giving myself the extra challenge to not add any other clue, I ended up modifying the nurikabe rules, as well as adding a somehow weird thermo rule. I'm quite happy with the result and I hope you find it an enjoyable solve :-)
The rules can be found below the image.
Link: SudokuPad
Normal sudoku rules apply.
The nine cells containing a clue form an extra region, i.e. they contain the digits 1-9 without repetition.
Modified Nurikabe
Shade some cells so that all of the following conditions are fulfilled:
● All shaded cells form one orthogonally connected area (water).
● Groups of orthogonally connected unshaded cells form islands. An island may consist of only one cell. Each island contains exactly one clue, and each clue belongs to an island.
● No 2x2 may be fully shaded or fully unshaded.
Thermal Killer
● Each island acts as a killer cage, in which digits may not repeat and sum to the given clue (although for some of the cages the sum is unknown, indicated by the questionmark).
● Within an island, digits must either all increase or all decrease in every direction, starting from the cell with the clue.
Example of a valid island / thermal killer cage:
Solution code: the shaded cells (water) in columns 1 and 2
Comments
on 31. July 2025, 22:27 by codewizard
Very nice puzzle. I just wish it didn't take me an hour being stuck, re-reading the rules 10+ times, before noticing/remembering the "extra region" constraint :-)
on 18. January 2025, 11:59 by skuntsel
That’s a really great puzzle! Although it unfolds quite nicely, there are several intricate interactions in the grid to think about. Thanks for the great setting and for creation of this set of puzzles!
on 28. July 2024, 14:47 by Florian Wortmann
improved wording of the rules
on 17. July 2024, 03:20 by QuiltyAsCharged
Pilot Yt Nilf wiped the sweat from his brow as he carefully monitored the ship's descent. Landing on this narrow island, one among thousands, would not be a cakewalk!
Narratively speaking, sure, maybe this wasn't an epic space battle or a dramatic minefield escape. But experienced pilots would know that this delicate maneuver could be just as essential to the success of the Zodiac Project. This was going to be their only chance to make a good first impression on King Nai Rolf, whose help they desperately needed to repair their ship.
Captain Jus furtively watched Nilf's every move out of the corner of her eye, trying not to let on that she was hanging desperately on every tiny nudge Nilf applied to the ship's thrusters...
on 15. July 2024, 22:59 by cybers
resolved so beautifully! what a wonderful puzzle :)
on 14. July 2024, 21:01 by Christounet
Super fun again ! And well done for keeping the clues to a minimum and still make it an approachable puzzle. Thanks :)
on 13. July 2024, 02:55 by Agent
Fun puzzle, but only 2/5 difficulty in my opinion.
on 11. July 2024, 11:09 by marcmees
very nice. thanks
on 10. July 2024, 00:42 by ViKingPrime
This has instantly become one of my favourite puzzles of all. It has a unique and interesting constraint, the flow is smooth as silk and the logic on the way is fresh and varied. In short, it's everything you could want in a puzzle and more.
My one and only minor gripe is the cut-and-paste intro becomes more and more unsettling the more it's repeated... I want to assure the world I am not holding anyone hostage and what's more, I'm fairly certain they are indeed actually all happy to be a part of it (at least, no one has told me otherwise).
on 9. July 2024, 22:45 by SamuPiano
Great addition to the Zodiac Project! Delightfully minimal, and with a surprise at the end :D
