When thinking of puzzles, you might think of well-known games like crossword and Sudoku. But Nintendo has brought the grid-based challenge of “picross” to 3DS with “Picross 3D: Round 2.”
Released in 2010, “Picross 3D” was a game for the original DS, in which players chiseled away pieces covering up a picture by using numerical logic. Now with “Picross 3D: Round 2,” the formula has been given a fresh coat of paint and a whole new batch of puzzles to solve.
The rules of “picross” are simple, but hard to master. Each puzzle is arranged in a grid, with numbers indicating the numbers of blocks in each row or column that will need to be filled in with a specific color – orange or blue.
For example, if a puzzle is a 4×4 grid and the top of a column is an orange four, the entire column will be painted orange. If a row within the same grid reads Blue 2, Orange 1, the puzzle is indicating that one block within the row must be taken out, requiring the player to use additional clues to determine which block isn’t necessary. Additional rules such as a circled number or a cubed number indicate that there are gaps within the coloring that must be destroyed or painted the opposite color.
Once all the blocks have been colored and the unnecessary blocks have been removed, the game reveals a 3D image. These can range to anything from animals to cars to planets.
Though the game has a list of rules to keep up with, it offers a robust tutorial lasting around 45 minutes to help new players learn the new mechanics. If you get stuck during a puzzle, the game can also point you in the right direction with a no-cost hint system. Along the way, you’ll also unlock strategy guides that will test your knowledge of the rule set by asking you to paint or remove the blocks in specific ways based on the information provided.
“Picross 3D: Round 2” is accessible for players regardless of their experience with the puzzle, giving determined players bonuses for playing on harder difficulties and solving puzzles without strikes. For those still wanting to feel the rush of solving a hard puzzle, the game also offers time trial modes that reward those who can solve the puzzle quickly with more time and extra points.
The game features over 300 puzzles, arranged in themed books, such as everyday objects like cats and grapes to “Perilous Poisons” such as a snake and mushrooms. Each successive book brings harder challenges for players to solve.
As well as the over 300 puzzles to solve in the main game, “Picross 3D: Round 2” also offers amiibo support, letting players tap a figure to unlock themed puzzles. For example, if the Mario amiibo is scanned in, a puzzle of Mario hitting blocks and getting a power-up is revealed.
“Picross 3D: Round 2” is an excellent pick up and play game, whether it be for two minutes or two hours and I highly recommend it those looking for something to do before class. The game is available digitally on 3DS for $29.99.
