Japan has this incredible knack for making puzzles that everyone just loves. These puzzles not only give our brains a workout but also let us unleash our creativity and have a ton of fun. So, today, we’ll get into the awesome world of Japanese puzzle games. We’ll discuss the classics we all know and love but also explore some hidden gems that bring a whole new kind of joy.
Traditional Japanese Puzzle Games
Before we head to the unusual puzzle games, let’s first say a thing or two about the games Japan is known for. These are some of the most noticeable puzzle games from Japanese culture:
- Sudoku: A number puzzle where you fill a 9×9 grid so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3×3 subgrids contain all of the digits from 1 to 9. People love playing Sudoku because it is like a mental workout, testing your logical thinking and patience.
- Nonograms: Also known as Picross or Griddlers, this is a picture logic puzzle where cells in a grid must be colored or left blank based on numbers at the side of the grid. Most Japanese love this game as it combines logic with creativity, revealing pictures as you solve the puzzle.
- Kakuro: This is a numerical crossword puzzle where you fill a grid with numbers, making sure that the sum of each row or column matches the number given on its edge. People love it because of the maths challenge that requires thinking and logic.
Now, these are the games that Japan offers to the world. Also, these puzzle games are actually the foundation on which all the following games are built. So, let’s see about those, shall we?
Unconventional Japanese Puzzle Games
Now, let’s shake things up a bit and explore some cool Japanese puzzle games that don’t play by the usual rules. These games bring a fresh and unique twist, offering a different kind of fun.
KenKen
KenKen, born from the inventive mind of Japanese educator Tetsuya Miyamoto in 2004, is a relatively recent sensation in Japanese puzzles. This arithmetic and logic challenge became popular for its engaging and educational qualities.
In this game, a grid awaits along with a series of arithmetic clues. So, what’s your job here? Fill in the grid with numbers, making sure each row and column follows the provided arithmetic rules.
Here are the rules:
- Fill the squares: Stick numbers from 1 to the grid size in each square. In a 4×4 grid? Just use 1, 2, 3, and 4.
- No repeats: Every number must be used once and only once in each row and each column. No doubles allowed!
- Cage maths: Pay attention to the outlined “Cages.” The numbers inside must add up to the target using the given maths operation. You can repeat numbers in a cage; just don’t break rule 2.
- Logic rules: Forget guessing. KenKen is all about logical deduction. The tougher the puzzle, the trickier the deductions, but you can solve them all without guessing.
Karakuri
Karakuri isn’t your typical puzzle; it’s a showcase of Japanese skill and creativity. Picture beautifully crafted wooden boxes hiding clever compartments and mechanisms.
To open a Karakuri box, you need a keen eye and an understanding of its workings. Beyond being entertaining, these pieces are pure works of art, highlighting the brilliance of Japanese craftsmanship. In order to play this game, you should know the following:
- Piece placement: Hold and drag pieces from the right onto the game board.
- Color coordination: Ensure that pieces of the same color are always touching each other.
- Combo creation: Put as many identically colored pieces together to create combos and chain-combos.
Hanjie
Hanjie, also known as Paint by Numbers or Pic-a-Pix, is a cool grid puzzle from Japan. Here’s the deal:
- Numeric clues: Each row and column has clues that tell you how many cells to fill and in what order.
- Picture unveiling: Use these clues to gradually reveal a picture by putting cells in the right spots.
It’s all about clever placement for that satisfying picture reveal.
Conclusion
It seems like Japan is the birthplace of so many puzzle games. The ones we listed are definitely considered unusual but quite interesting. So, the next time you’re up for a puzzle game and are bored of Sudoku, feel free to explore these three options we listed.