How to Play Nurikabe

THE PLAYBOOK · H5-WEPOKER

The Nurikabe playbook

Choose a round of Nurikabe and settle into its rules. 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. Identify the playing area and the controls you need. Choose a clear next step rather than rushing through the instructions.

Play ten compact 5×5 puzzles. Some boards begin with fixed shaded sea cells.

Build familiarity through play

Watch the feedback after an action. A message can explain whether the input was accepted or whether a rule needs attention. Make the next step deliberately.

The goal to keep in mind

Create one connected sea around numbered islands of exactly the stated size, without a 2×2 sea block. An attractive position is not enough unless the goal is met. Start with a deliberate move.

Follow these playing steps

1. Shade sea squares and leave islands white.
2. Every island contains exactly one clue.
3. Different islands cannot meet along an edge.
4. Check puzzle verifies sizes, connectivity and forbidden sea blocks.

Getting comfortable with the controls

Click or tap squares or graph edges. Number boards include a digit pad. Undo reverses the previous change; Check puzzle validates the solution. Read a button’s label before selecting it. Look at the feedback after the action.

Try this 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. Notice the change in the playing area.

Where a round can go wrong

Two numbered islands may not merge into one. Check the rule before repeating the action. Watch the feedback after an action. A message can explain whether the input was accepted or whether a rule needs attention.

Questions that come up during play