The Road No Longer Taken
(Published on 2. March 2025, 22:08 by MathGuy_12)
Special thanks to timotab, Andrewsarchus, Virtual, and mnasti2 for testing! Extra special thanks to Leeor for both testing and helping me learn how to post this puzzle on LMD! I am so thankful for all the help!
Rules:
- Normal sudoku rules apply in the left most 9x9. The hidden region to the right contains only text.
- The grid is covered in dynamic fog. Placing a correct digit in a cell will reveal the fog from its cell and may or may not reveal fog from other cells in the grid.
- Gray lines are seat belts and connect two consecutive digits.
- Values in the upper left corner of cages provide the sum of the digits in the cage. All cages are dominoes.
- A single road runs through the grid. It starts in box 1 and ends in box 5. It travels only orthogonally. It does not cross or overlap itself nor are there any forks in the road. Digits along the road must differ by at least 5.
- A clue outside the grid gives the sum of the digits on the indicated diagonal. Digits may repeat along the diagonal if allowed by other rules.
Warning: Contains some strong language
Solution code: Row 9 followed by the last word of text from the far right section in all uppercase.
Comments
on 13. March 2025, 00:03 by MathGuy_12
mrbell270, here is a short message regarding the rules, the letters have been shifted one place later to avoid spoilers: uif svmft bsf dpssfdu bt jt, cvu nbz dibohf mbufs po jo uif qvaamf
on 11. March 2025, 10:00 by mrbell270
I don't know what happened, but rules are not right in this one. Check puzzle and description, please
on 7. March 2025, 21:51 by ThePedallingPianist
This is a beautiful work of art. It may get mixed reviews as the puzzle element is unconventional, but it's always fair and interesting. It deserves to be seen by many more, and I wish more puzzles adopted a story-telling style like this!
on 5. March 2025, 21:09 by kamkam
Wow. Did not expect that. A shame that it is rated only 80%... It was phenomenal
on 4. March 2025, 21:32 by MathGuy_12
Mozart40, yes I am the author for this puzzle, if that is what you are asking!
on 3. March 2025, 19:46 by Mozart40
Is the author THIS MathGuy_12? Just asking.
on 3. March 2025, 18:18 by efnenu
I can only echo the other commenters: What an amazing piece of work! It really is a constant wondering about whether you're taking the best road and where it will lead you.
on 2. March 2025, 22:24 by I Love Sleeping
This is AMAZING! I'm really happy to see it live here!
Any word about the puzzle itself will spoil the fun for you, kind solver, so I'll just say: Have a go at this! This is perfection.
on 2. March 2025, 22:20 by Andrewsarchus
Fun creative puzzle, brilliantly set.
