Echo Chamber
(Published on 12. March 2025, 20:42 by cirne)
This puzzle is a small-scale test for a ruleset I'll be using in an upcoming puzzle. The most difficult part about this ruleset is explaining it! Hopefully these rules make enough sense on their own, but in case they don't, the "Show Seen Cells" setting in SudokuPad can help to visualize the unusual visibility rules.
Any and all feedback is appreciated. Enjoy!
Rules
This puzzle comprises nine overlapping 4×4 Sudoku grids, laid out in three rows of three. Within each grid, classic 4×4 Sudoku rules apply: the digits 1-4 must each appear exactly once in every 4-cell row, 4-cell column, and thick-bordered 2×2 box. The heavier border around the center grid is cosmetic only; it and each of the eight grids overlapping it are all treated the same.
Region Sum Lines: Blue lines are split into segments by box borders. Within each individual line, the sum of the digits on each segment is the same.
Click on the puzzle image to play in SudokuPad
Solution code: Row 4
Comments
on 30. March 2025, 08:14 by PhoenixAki
Definitely unique and a good lesson in reading rules as I did not fully realize what it all meant at first and got quite stuck until realizing the overlap stuff
on 13. March 2025, 14:43 by CitrusGremlin
I enjoyed it but I'm not sure how well it'd translate to larger grids.
on 13. March 2025, 11:50 by florita
I would say the ruleset works. It just isn't that much fun. Feels rather tedious without much payoff? But I'm sure this ruleset would be much more fun once you introduce some other elements to it.
on 13. March 2025, 03:58 by josemadre
Fun! Thank you for setting!
