Nonograms, or ‘Picross,’ are puzzle games similar to Sudoku. When finding out how to play Picross, the goal is to fill in the grid based on the given clues. Each square is either filled or left empty, and when you complete the puzzle correctly, it reveals a hidden picture.
In the Swadge Picross game, you never need to guess to find the solution. Every step can be solved logically by following the clues, and each puzzle has only one correct answer.
The yellow lines, marked every 5 squares, help you count more easily. Now, let’s go in-depth and learn how to play Picross. But first, let’s learn a little more about the Picross puzzle game.
Input For Picross Puzzle
Use the d-pad to move the blue input square. Hold down the cursor to move it continuously.
- Press A to mark spaces as filled.
- Press B to mark spaces as empty (this is just for note-taking and isn’t needed for the solution).
- Press START to reset the counter (located below the coordinates in the top-left corner). The counter also resets when you change direction. It’s there for convenience.
- Press SELECT to go back to the level selection screen. To save your progress, you must return to level selection.
Turning on “Guides” in the options menu will highlight the selected row or column, making it easier to see. It also shows the size of the block group you’re hovering over on the right or bottom.
How to Play Picross? Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s a complete beginner’s guide to Picross with proper steps for learning how to play Picross.
Clues To Begin
To fill in a puzzle from a clue, the first step is understanding how clues match an already completed puzzle. Each row and column has its own set of clues. The numbers beside a row give clues for that row, while the numbers above a column give clues for just that column.
Every number in a clue tells you how many connected blocks should be filled. There must always be at least one empty space between groups of blocks.
For example, the top clue [1] can fit into any space. However, the bottom clue [1 1 1] must be filled as shown, with at least one empty space between each block.
More significant numbers show how many blocks are connected in each row or column. The clues are listed in the order in which the blocks appear. For example, the clue [3 1] can’t be flipped because the “3” block must come before the “1” block.
If the clue matches the puzzle’s width, like [5] in the last row, there’s only one solution: all the blocks in that row must be filled in. It’s a good idea to start with clues the same size as the row or column, as they’re easier to solve.
We outline the connected block groups in red. Then, we number each group in the order they connect, which gives us the clue. Solving a picross puzzle works in reverse: you start with the clue and fill in the puzzle.
To solve picross puzzles, start by first trying a few on your own. You’ll get the hang of it faster. Once you’ve had a go, check out the tips and techniques below—they’ll be more useful after you’ve tried a couple of puzzles.
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Tips For Solving Picross Puzzle
Although there are other strategies and tactics for resolving picross puzzles, this article lists the most popular ones. Let’s learn how to play Picross with these tips!
Overlaps
To solve the puzzle, we look at the overlaps. We check all possible ways to fill the row and identify any blocks that must be filled or left empty.
For example, if the puzzle row is 5 blocks wide and the clue is “3,” we examine every way to fill in the blocks.
In every case, the center block is permanently filled. This means that, even if we don’t know where the other blocks go, we know that we can always fill in the center block.
When solving the puzzle, fill in each block and then check the column to see if it reveals more information. Overlaps are helpful even for more giant puzzles. For example, here’s how you can fill in the clue [1 5] in every possible way on a puzzle that is 10 blocks wide.
We may fit in these two blocks here. Whatever the answer, these blocks are completed.
Which brings us to our remaining options:
When considering overlaps, focus mainly on the left-most and right-most positions (or top-most and bottom-most positions). You don’t need to check every single possible spot.
Indicate Existing Empties
The next step in tips for how to play Picross is to mark the known empties. Assume that we just filled in the subsequent hint using the abovementioned method.
The clue for the third column is [1 1]. We’re unsure if the single filled block belongs to the first 1 or the second 1 (whether above or below the other block). It must be a 1 block with no adjacent filled blocks. Mark these as empty by pressing B on the Swadge.
Marking empty spaces is crucial for solving more giant puzzles. Sometimes, the key to the next step is in the spaces you don’t fill, not just the ones you do.
When you fill out a row so that its clues are correct, mark all the remaining blank spaces as empty. This will help you make deductions in other parts of the puzzle. You’ll notice that clues become less visible when you solve them and mark the remaining spaces as empty.
Closing Existing Gaps
Filling the empty gaps is a crucial tip in techniques of how to play Picross. The scenario below shows a row containing the hint [3]. Assume the following orange-marked spaces are empty, as inferred from other hints.
Think about the squares’ areas to the left and right of them. Given that they are just two blocks wide, the three blocks cannot fill those gaps. Let’s designate them as vacant.
Since there are only two locations for the 3, and both are filled in, we can utilize the “overlaps” strategy to place the 3 in the center of the two blocks since we’re sure it is there.
Splitting & Joining
If you want to learn how to play Picross like a pro and really want to master the game, you must have a good knowledge of how to split and join in the puzzle. Suppose we are aware of the following:
We can conclude that the space between the two groups cannot be covered by looking closely at it. It would be difficult for us to unite the groups because the resulting block would be 4 vast, greater than each of our hints. So, it is empty, as we know. Groups are divided by marking them.
Conversely, joining occurs when we can infer the contrary and join blocks. Suppose we are aware of the following:
There is just one hint, which is [6]. We can determine that the blocks must be linked since this is only one hint.
Here’s a more intricate illustration. Assume that what comes next is already known to us.
Think about what would happen if we didn’t connect the two blocks we currently know.
The right block must consist of three connected blocks and stretch to the right if that area is empty, as indicated by the clue. That side, however, isn’t as roomy due to the empty blocks (marked in red above). We link the blocks since the gap can’t be divided (marked empty).
This provides additional evidence that at least one vacant block must surround these three blocks. The marking above of recognized empties is the cause of this.
And since that’s the only option left, we can locate the final hint.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Now that you’ve learned how to play Picross, also know about some famous queries.
What is the difference between Picross and Sudoku?
The layout that serves as the basis for both games requires players to label the squares in particular ways. Every square in a Sudoku puzzle has one number entered in it. Additionally, each square in Picross is either completed or left empty.
Can you play Picross on mobile devices?
In the logic puzzle game Picross (sometimes called Nonograms), you plug in grid cells with numbers from a list to create pictures. Picross Touch! is an application version of Picross that you can enjoy on your phone or tablet offline, at any time, and from any location.
What do double numbers mean in Picross?
Double numbers indicate the number of filled-in blocks. Fill in successive squares based on the second number value, leaving at least one space empty for the first number. There are three conceivable configurations for a 7×7 board: three filled squares in a row, one covered square, and at least one unfilled space.