Palisade

Overview

Palisade divides a grid into regions of one specified size. Numbers inside certain squares count how many of that square's four sides are fences, including the outside border when applicable. A fence can separate two regions, but it cannot be inserted arbitrarily inside a completed region. This couples the local clue count to the shape and size of every area. Two boards with the same-looking clue pattern can feel different when the required region size changes. The hosted Palisade implementation supplies generated boards and size presets. There is no need to trace an entire region in one gesture: you build or exclude individual boundaries and gradually discover how the areas fit together. Every cell must eventually belong to exactly one correctly sized region.

How to Play

Click an edge between squares to draw or remove a fence. Secondary input records an edge that should remain open, linking the cells on either side into the same region. Phone players use the Secondary toggle before making those open-edge marks. Check the region size shown by the selected game type, then partition the whole board while satisfying each numbered square. Undo reverses a single decision or mistaken tap. Restart clears your fence arrangement but keeps the current clues, and New generates another puzzle.

Tips & Strategy

Count the outside border before placing fences beside a corner clue. A square already touching two outer walls has fewer free edges to consider than an interior square. Watch regions that have reached their required size: every remaining edge around such a region must close. Conversely, a nearly complete region with only one possible extension forces an opening in that direction. Avoid creating a small sealed pocket, even when each nearby number appears satisfied. Region connectivity can expose errors that clue counts alone miss, so alternate between checking individual cells and counting the connected areas they form.

About this version

Palisade uses the locally compiled palisade engine from Simon Tatham’s Portable Puzzle Collection. The original authors retain credit under the MIT license. SonoTap provides the browser adaptation and this guide.