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Post your Polarium puzzles

Ah good to see this thread happen at last!

I'm just popping off to bed (live in UK)...
but I'll post some from work tomorrow if I get a chance. And I'll try these :D
 
good idea for a thread! I beat your one first go :D but then, I have no idea how to design anything workable at all. I'll give it a shot later. can anyone post the link to the nintendo posted puzzles on their website? I lost the link....

This game is kicking my butt. I've unlocked 46% of the puzzles and currently a little stuck. Challenge mode really is a challenge too.

This game really is the new tetris for me.
 
catfish, could you take the pic I posted and make a red line with paint showing me the way you beat it ?

It's just to know if there's another way to beat it (than the one it was made for)

If you do the pic, PM me the URL please (but don't spoil it by posting it in the thread)
 
fuckin gamestop didnt get it in today.

and yet, at TRU we got 4 copies

goddamn me and paying it off with tradeins... argh :lol
 
Hellraizah said:
catfish, could you take the pic I posted and make a red line with paint showing me the way you beat it ?

If you do the pic, PM me the URL please (but don't spoil it by posting it in the thread)
Click to expand...

Done, PM sent. I have a feeling I may have beaten it not the way you intended. Not sure.

Once again. awesome game.
 
Here's an impossible one to annoy your friends with.

58806 26320
12000 00000
87920 04183
impossible.jpg
 
Catfish, definitely more than one way to beat it. I PMed you the way I intended it to be.

I did it on top of yours, in a blue line.
 
A_Lee_N said:
Here's an impossible one to annoy your friends with.

58806 26320
12000 00000
87920 04183
impossible.jpg
Click to expand...

What do you mean impossible? Hard?

I had a crack. Hope I made a semi-difficult one

9155561952
3561377582
5935724762
 
So what are you guys thinking of this game? I've been thinking about picking up a DS, since it seems pretty good for puzzlers, and is a bit cheaper than a PSP+Lumines.
 
IAmtheFMan said:
So what are you guys thinking of this game? I've been thinking about picking up a DS, since it seems pretty good for puzzlers, and is a bit cheaper than a PSP+Lumines.
Click to expand...

AWESOME

I can't even beat the second level of challenge yet and the puzzles are getting hard. the custom puzzles should give the game some legs as well.

Presentation is quite stark and very basic. No bells and whistles here. It will definately tide me over + more until Meteos.

Can anyone beat my puzzle?
9155561952
3561377582
5935724762

Also, does anyone get royally screwed when the colours reverse on puzzle mode? I will have one figured out, then go retry it and it looks completely different :lol
 
Hellraizah and catfish, I could do yours. A_Lee_N - haven't worked out that one yet. Very tough!

Here's one a friend of mine made:

95263 94573
15269 46823
08758 68104

It's 8x8 and looks like this:

XX____XX
XXX___XX
XXXX__XX
XX_XX_XX
XX__XXXX
XX___XXX
XX____XX
 
monoRAIL said:
It's 8x8 and looks like this:

XX____XX
XXX___XX
XXXX__XX
XX_XX_XX
XX__XXXX
XX___XXX
XX____XX
Click to expand...
This one's pretty easy - isn't it like the one you see in challenge mode?
XX____XX
XXX___XX
X*XX__XX
XX_XX_XX
XX__XX*X
XX___XXX
XX____XX

*s mark my start and end point.
 
Date of Lies said:
I wonder why it got such low reviews then.
Click to expand...

lack of presentation mainly I think. it's sound isn't flash either.

This plus listening to music = relax....
 
This is certainly inspiring me to break out my import. Thanks to everyone who posted a puzzle. I'll try to come up with something for tomorrow. :D
 
Ooh. Making puzzles for you guys to solve sounds like fun. I'd get it, but probably not at $34 which is what gamestop.com has it at. I'll get it if it's in the next Wario/Fry's/CAG press release.
 
catfish said:
AWESOME

I can't even beat the second level of challenge yet and the puzzles are getting hard. the custom puzzles should give the game some legs as well.

Presentation is quite stark and very basic. No bells and whistles here. It will definately tide me over + more until Meteos.

Can anyone beat my puzzle?
9155561952
3561377582
5935724762

Also, does anyone get royally screwed when the colours reverse on puzzle mode? I will have one figured out, then go retry it and it looks completely different :lol
Click to expand...


Ya, done. Second attempt! Not really trying to brag, but like I've said before, the puzzle mode is relatively simple, provided you follow some basic rules. I finshed the first 100 in a couple of nights. One I'm stuck on is one of the reindeer puzzles fromt eh japan sites. Can get all but one square!

I'll try come up with a puzzle that's hard...try my hand at creating some.
 
really? how good are you at challenge mode? I just unlocked the 3rd level for practice. can you beat the puzzle that a_lee_n posted above? I got all but 1. This game made sure I got paid for playing polarium at work today. :D
 
mrkgoo said:
One I'm stuck on is one of the reindeer puzzles fromt eh japan sites. Can get all but one square!
Click to expand...

Woukd you mind linking to those Japanese sites? I could use a few new puzzles.

Puzzle mode is really addictive - "just one more puzzle". That said, 100 stock puzzles just isn't enough, and I don't enjoy Challenge mode at all, which is a shame.
 
Jonnyram said:
This one's pretty easy - isn't it like the one you see in challenge mode?
XX____XX
XXX___XX
X*XX__XX
XX_XX_XX
XX__XX*X
XX___XXX
XX____XX

*s mark my start and end point.
Click to expand...

eek, I drew it wrong - it's actually like this:

XX____XX
XXX___XX
XXXX__XX
XXXXX_XX
XX_XXXXX
XX__XXXX
XX___XXX
XX____XX

that's harder.
 
Challenge mode is very hard. But you'll get used to it.... eventually.

I've been playing polarium since the euro release now - yesterday I managed to complete the 3rd level for the first time!

I got 3 hints for you:

a) always draw the line before the blocks have fallen down. This will give you the needed time later.

b) when going for a highscore, combos are the key. Clear combos that is. That means you'll need to erase all lines on the lower screen every time you draw a line. Sounds hard but is fairly easy when using method a) (until level 3 - I don't think clear combos are possible on this stage)

c) when you're not going for a highscore but try to come as far as you can, then don't clear the levels right away. Wait for the purple line to fall down at the end of a level. You can keep on playing above that line. (even more purple lines will come down) This is a good way to proceed in falling blocks without speeding things up. This way you can already play the patterns of level 3 in level 2. I think this makes things easier later on.

have fun
 
great stuff, didn't even know you could do this from other people. I'll have to dust off my DS.

Can you store these in your own 'edit' section?

Oh, and link to the Nintendo site too please, I'd like some of them now that the 100 basic are done.
 
Thanks for the link.

I found these on Nintendo.nl

Paashaas (Easter Bunny)
3665560142
9579307863
1001326111

Paasei (Easter Egg)
7044701872
5845352712
1839965200

Dolfijn (Dolphin)
3627993323
5386168023
9479725992

Walvis (Whale)
5463495514
3856087300
2802547970

Hond (Dog)
3221856881
7492029752
3270097631

Kat (Cat)
0850282792
7037358582
8982849520
 
Ok, I've completed all teh ones posted here, except that 'impossible' one, which i don't want to try too hard in case it actually IS impossible (i suppose someone could figureteh password system and write a password out)
 
Seriously, don't waste your time with the puzzle I posted.. I meant what I said when I said it's impossible. Normally the game wouldn't let you create a level that's impossible to finish because you have to finish the level to save it, but if you know how the password system works you can create any level you want.
 
catfish said:
really? how good are you at challenge mode? I just unlocked the 3rd level for practice. can you beat the puzzle that a_lee_n posted above? I got all but 1. This game made sure I got paid for playing polarium at work today. :D
Click to expand...

Yeah, i used to get screwed with the inverted colours in puzzle mode, but after ignoring the colours, and just noticing the 'difference' it makes it a little easier. i've opened up level 4 in practice...but my current highs scores are:

D- 400765, 235 lines
D- 329100, 281 lines
D- 320550, 262 lines

Obviously, I have a way to go, since I only have D-! Note that I have gotten over 400 lines, but that score didn't make the high score board.
 
A_lee_n: yeah, I fgured as much. Haha...I'm sure some people would've tried harder and harder to get it (seeing as you can do it with only one box left), but it's all about knwoing how the puzzles work...and it's obvious that that one can't (now if they made a larger version of that one, where it's not so simple...).

Anyway, anyone finish my one yet? I tried my hadn at making one that was reverse engineered.
 
Code: 
Grade   Score         Lines

 D-     269190        209
 D-     248745	      223
 D-     246235	      210

I've got an E before as well... soul crushing stuff. Level 3 makes you think you're sure to get a better score.

I need to learn how to chain and utilise the border areas better.
 
Polarium used to be called One Line Puzzle. That evokes what this game is about perfectly.

Basically you're allowed to draw one line only (see below for example). It can go anywhere on the grid, even turning corners etc, but it can't overlap itself. Lines can be as long or as short as you would like them to be. When you've finished drawing a line, you tap the last block on the grid that makes up the line. This causes all of the the blocks that lie directly under the line to reverse polarity (go from black > white, and vice versa). Hence Polarium.

As an added factor - your lines can go anywhere where there are grey blocks (see the border below). Getting a horizontal line of one complete colour (black or white) completes that line. If you make a mistake there are two blue "X" buttons on either side of the touch screen for cancelling the current line you are drawing.

polarium1.jpg


Challenge mode involves blocks of black and white tiles falling a chunk at a time, tetris style. The objective of this mode is to clear as many lines or score as many points as possible. You get extra points for chaining lines together quickly and for using the border area well. On the top screen is a red barrier. If your blocks stack up and reach this line? It's game over!

polarium2.jpg


Because the blocks of black and white fall in chunks, the game picks up speed fast when you reach around level 3. If you still can't picture how this particular mode works I recommend having a quick look at the videos over at IGN DS


polariumface.jpg


Puzzle mode is a collection of static puzzles. You must complete every line in the grid. The puzzles look like many of the images you can see posted in this thread. There's no time limit. The game comes with 100 stock puzzles, and an editor so you can create your own. You can send these via wireless DS link, or by using the passwords (as we are here).

There is also a VS mode. Top screen is your opponent, bottom is you. Clearing lines, getting combos and using the border well will send blocks over to your opponents screen. There are wildcard blocks in this mode that act as either color depending on what you do.
 
The game looks interesting... but with prom this weekend etc, I might just end up waiting for it go bargain bin or used or something.

Edit: Someone should do the math and find out how many different valid puzzles you can make.
 
Spencerr said:
Someone should do the math and find out how many different valid puzzles you can make.
Click to expand...

The grid can be anything from 2x2 to 8x8. You cannot have a line of one complete colour. There must be at least one block in each horizontal that is different.

For all the different grid sizes (the grid doesn't have to be square) and the varying amounts of polarity you could use, there's lots of possible puzzles.

But in order for the game to validate the puzzle and give you a code, you have to be able to complete it yourself first. Not easy sometimes ;_;
 
*Bangs head on desk

Damnit forgot my DS today. I bought drill spirits yesterday, and while it rocks (NZ,AU,Euro version with Dristone mode) I kept thinking Just ONE more puzzle.

Polarium is good. I need to get all these puzzles on my DS now! If they make a sequel that flashes it up a bit, maybe add a gameplay element and gives it online so we can share puzzles without typing in a code, or download new puzzles from Nintendo I'd be first in line.

mrkgoo, you keep mentioning a couple of simple rules that make them a lot easier, care to explain them here (if you can, I mean if it's something you just click on to then I follow I think) I'm pretty decent and the puzzles, but can't just look at one and use a simple concept to solve all. I also couldn't tell that that unsolvable one was unsolvable.
 
catfish said:
...so we can share puzzles without typing in a code...
Click to expand...

that's already included. You can swap puzzles via wlan.
also, the multiplayer-part is kind of fun. (if you have a serious enemy, that is)
 
catfish said:
*Bangs head on desk

Damnit forgot my DS today. I bought drill spirits yesterday, and while it rocks (NZ,AU,Euro version with Dristone mode) I kept thinking Just ONE more puzzle.

Polarium is good. I need to get all these puzzles on my DS now! If they make a sequel that flashes it up a bit, maybe add a gameplay element and gives it online so we can share puzzles without typing in a code, or download new puzzles from Nintendo I'd be first in line.

mrkgoo, you keep mentioning a couple of simple rules that make them a lot easier, care to explain them here (if you can, I mean if it's something you just click on to then I follow I think) I'm pretty decent and the puzzles, but can't just look at one and use a simple concept to solve all. I also couldn't tell that that unsolvable one was unsolvable.
Click to expand...

Well, perhaps I'm exaggerating abit...the rules aren't universal, and fairly basic, but helps to not get into an impossible solution. It depends heavily on each puzzle, and many are obvious, but basically:

* since horizontal lines are the key, a white and black beside one another measn that a line cannot go across them. Try looking for approaching either of those blocks from above and below.
* look for 'dead ends' - solitary or isolated blocks within a row, that if you change, it means you cannot continue anyfurther - consider these to be possible start points.
*if you can possibly complete lines without using your only two 'ends', then you're doing well. (find a way in, do what you need, and back out again).

* try not to get in the mode of looking at black and white, but just different. This helps with the inverting every few attempts. That is, try to think instead of saying, I need this line to be black, saying, I need this line to be the colour of these three blocks. This will enhance you ability to 'see' the path required.

*Open areas of black with isolated white blocks have two approaches - either get to those white blocks without touching the rest, or turn the rest of the blocks white, avoiding those isoalted blocks. Keep in mind that just because one line needs to be balck, the one above it isn't necessary. Yeah, it sounds obvious, but that's what I mean by the strategies are dependent on the puzzle. Like you can see that if you turned this square white, it means you HAVE to draw yourpath in a particular way, ending in an impossible way to reach another area.

*try to attempt a few lines (like the top opr bottom four) and see if you can complete them with your ends free (so they can access the other four).

*learn what is possible witht he movement of your stroke - like trying to complete a 2x6 area, where you can enter, and the possibilities of where ti can exit. Learn what is possible at the edges

* look for things like, can an area in the middle be completed with out using the edges?

Yeah, they're all just common sense, but maybe I just get a reasonably good feel for things -it;'s mostly sub concious, so it's difficult to explain my thought patterns. I figured the impossible puzzle was impossible becasue the board was so small. The two rows on the 2nd and 4th line need to be cleared by 1 of 3ways (assuming the patter for these lines is BWWWB):

2nd line: WWWWW
4th line: WWWWW

2:WWWWW (the opposite way is the same situation)
4:BBBBBB

2:BBBBB
4:BBBBB

Now if the first case were true, and the solution meant lines 2 and 4 were white, you somehow have to make the centre row black or white. Totally white is impossible, since the centre row is WBWBW - you can't reach the black blocks if the row above and below the centre line are to be white. Similarly, the centre line can never be totally black, since the centre W block cannot be reached.

Now if the second case is tru, and the second line is black, and the 4th is white for the solution, then you have to get to the centre line somehow again. One of the two patterns must be reached (Xis where your stroke needs to be):

OOOOO
OXXXO
OOXOO
OOOOO
OOOOO

OOOOO
OXXXO
OXOXO
OOOOO
OOOOO

For either case, your stroke needs to approach it form the top (if you are to make the 4th line white), and if you try, it cannot be done, or it requires theuse of both your 'ends', meaning you can use them on the bottom row (which you'll need if the 4th line is to be white)

Now, if the solution was the third condition, it means the middle three of lines 2 and 4 must be turned black. NOw consider the centre row again WBWBW. The two side W's need to be turned black, and since they can't be approached from above or below to achieve the line 2/4 completely black solution, that means they must be the 'ends' to your stroke. For them to be ends, makes it impossible to finally get that centre block black, without using another 'end' that is, try to make either of these patterns (follow the X's)without using the ends of your stroke (E refers to the supposed postions of teh ends of your stroke):
OXOXO
OXXXO
EOXOE
OXXXO
OXOXO

OOXOO
OXXXO
EOXOE
OXXXO
OOXOO

That is, your ends are used, and it makes it impoassible to reach the centre block with out using another end.
SO, for both lines 2 and 4 to be black in the solution, the centre line must be white, right? wEll, to make that happen, you need to atleast do either of these in one stroke:

OXOXO
OXXXO
OXOXO
OXXXO
OXOXO

or
XOXOX
OXXXO
OXOXO
OXXXO
XOXOX

Neither which is possible, without using more 'ends'.


Ok, now Icould really be made a fool, if there was a solution to that puzzle. But basically, you get the idea of how I go about solving the puzzles. Obviously, the larger puzzles are harder to follow, but you normally break down regions into what can and can't be done to follow the rules:

A black block next to a white meand either has to be changed, but not both, and they can only be approached from above/below or the opposite side...not through both, AND you only have two 'ends' - if using a particular place uses an end, and it creates two more 'ends'...= impossible stroke.

anyone do my puzzle? I tried to incorporate all the things I found tough in a puzzle. There's possibly a lot of solutions - meaning the parts of the puzzle can be apporoached many ways, making for an easy puzzle, or the opposite, where only one path can obviously be taken, which also means easy. Someone let me know:

0338075581
8549336971
3103746460
 
Maybe I'll try some of these tomorrow. I just got my copy at Fry's ($15 - misprice...woohoo!) and it was engaging enough to keep me playing until 2am...

...but I did blow through all 100 puzzles in under four hours. I'm not so into the challenge mode - it looks like it'll take some getting used to and it doesn't seem very interesting. Hopefully these user-made puzzles will keep the game going...I'd say it's worth $15, hard to say if it's worth much more than that, IMHO.

Anyone know if Polarium has single cart multiplayer? I know you can send a demo to another DS but I was wondering if the vs. mode can be played with one cart...

And godDAMN the music sucks in this game :(
 
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