THE PLAYBOOK · HTSIFA
How to play Nurikabe
Make Nurikabe your next activity in the game library. Create one connected sea around numbered islands of exactly the stated size, without a 2×2 sea block. Keep the game area visible while you use its controls. Make your first input carefully and watch the result. Check the relevant rule before repeating a move.
Play ten compact 5×5 puzzles. Some boards begin with fixed shaded sea cells.
Build a steady rhythm
Take enough time to read a new position. If a game has a timer, learn its controls first rather than searching for them during the round. Keep the objective visible.
Your goal
Create one connected sea around numbered islands of exactly the stated size, without a 2×2 sea block. The feedback beside the game helps you follow the round. The example below illustrates a decision.
Step by step
- Shade sea squares and leave islands white.
- Every island contains exactly one clue.
- Different islands cannot meet along an edge.
- Check puzzle verifies sizes, connectivity and forbidden sea blocks.
Controls
Click or tap squares or graph edges. Number boards include a digit pad. Undo reverses the previous change; Check puzzle validates the solution. Use the control method described here for this activity. Contact us with the game and device if a control does not respond.
A useful example
An island labelled 1 is already complete, so its edge neighbours must be sea. Focus on why the action is allowed, not only its outcome. Read the matching step again.
Watch out for this
Two numbered islands may not merge into one. Read the feedback to see why an action did not have the expected result. After a move, check what changed. Decide which rule explains the new state before acting again.
Common questions
While learning, what is the goal of Nurikabe?
Here is the relevant explanation: Create one connected sea around numbered islands of exactly the stated size, without a 2×2 sea block.
While reading the Guide, how do I control Nurikabe?
Keep this in mind: Click or tap squares or graph edges. Number boards include a digit pad. Undo reverses the previous change; Check puzzle validates the solution.
Before I begin, what example helps explain Nurikabe?
For clarity: An island labelled 1 is already complete, so its edge neighbours must be sea.
While learning, what should I watch out for in Nurikabe?
The key detail is this: Two numbered islands may not merge into one.
While reading the Guide, what format does Nurikabe offer?
Play ten compact 5×5 puzzles. Some boards begin with fixed shaded sea cells.
While reading the Guide, which play mode does Nurikabe use?
The mode on this page is Solo. Same-device play uses one screen; this game library does not provide internet matchmaking.