Numberlink

Overview

Numberlink places matching numbered endpoints on a grid and asks you to connect each pair. Paths move horizontally or vertically between neighbouring cell centres. They cannot cross, branch, join a different pair or form a disconnected loop. The pzpr Numberlink rules used here do not require every cell to be covered, which is an important difference from some similarly presented path games. Leaving an unused square is acceptable when all numbered pairs are correctly connected. SonoTap supplies one introductory five-by-five puzzle and its practice rotations and reflections. The selection is honestly labelled as different orientations of the same board. Answer checking runs in the local game engine, and the surrounding guide explains the exact rules before you begin drawing.

How to Play

Drag from a numbered endpoint through adjacent squares toward its matching number. Follow orthogonal steps rather than diagonal shortcuts. Dragging across an existing segment can remove or revise that part of the path, and Undo is available when a correction becomes awkward. Touch users draw directly on the board. Connect all pairs without sharing cells or creating branches, then press Check answer for feedback. Restart clears the paths on the current orientation. The practice selector transforms the introductory board and starts another clean attempt.

Tips & Strategy

Inspect pairs near corners first, where the border reduces the possible exits. A short direct path is not always best if it blocks another pair's only corridor. Treat a completed path as a wall when planning the remaining connections, and consider the space on both sides before committing it. Do not fill empty cells merely to imitate a different game's rules: this implementation permits unused squares. If Check answer reports a loose end, trace each path from its number to the matching endpoint rather than checking only whether the colours look connected. Remove small stray segments left behind during corrections.

About this version

Numberlink uses the locally built numlin rules from pzprjs. The original authors retain credit under the MIT license. SonoTap provides the browser adaptation and this guide.