Spill The Genes (Nurikabe, Infections)
(Published on 9. November 2025, 15:17 by gdc)
Episode 3 of the Dr. Norma L. Dokes Saga. According to testers (thanks everyone), it should be 3 stars and easier than the two previous episodes (both 4 star). See below for an example puzzle. Hope you enjoy!
Infection Sites: Each digit matching its box number is an "infection site". Each row and column contains an infection site. They are infected.
Infections: Infected cells infect every orthogonally adjacent cell with a smaller digit. Infections keep spreading until no infected cell has a smaller uninfected orthogonal neighbor. (Every infected cell can be traced back to one or more infection sites.)
Nurikabe: All infected cells must be orthogonally connected. No 2x2 area is fully infected.
Detector Cells: A digit in a blue circle is uninfected and counts the number of infected cells in its (up to 8) surrounding cells.
Cocci Dots join uninfected digits that differ by the number of dots joining them.
Example Puzzle
A 6x6 example with almost* the same rules and simplified styling. Colors: green for uninfected, red for infection sites, orange for other infected.
*Column 3 contains no infection site, which is not allowed in the 9x9.
Solution code: Uninfected digits in row 2, left to right.
Comments
on 12. November 2025, 15:37 by Franjo
Brilliant idea, brilliant setting! Thank you very much for creating and sharing this beautiful episode.
on 12. November 2025, 00:17 by mscha
Very nice! The least difficult one so far, but it helps a lot that have experience with the new infection rules.
on 10. November 2025, 16:53 by silent_rob
Thanks for the excellent puzzle! I found it easier than the others so far (I’m getting more familiar with the infection variant) but still fun and challenging.
on 10. November 2025, 01:07 by Christounet
I think this one is the easiest so far. Probably helps to have good knowledge of the infection patterns. Sick serie ! Thanks :)
on 9. November 2025, 22:58 by marcmees
fantatstic & challenging puzzle. harder than expected. Works well with Nurikabe. Thanks
on 9. November 2025, 21:31 by ufdigga
Great puzzle GDC! I'm loving the infection ruleset. This is another great series of puzzles.
on 9. November 2025, 17:09 by Franktothejay
I find these really enjoyable and also approachable. It also feels like I'm getting the logic quicker as the series goes on.
So, I guess that's your permission to keep making them harder :-D
on 9. November 2025, 15:41 by jakestilesowen
Very clever and elegant puzzle utilizing the new infection logic! Thanks for sharing.
on 9. November 2025, 15:19 by GameWorksRP
This puzzle is a great addition to the series. I liked the connection logic a lot. Thanks for setting!
