Fill Shikaku - Grid division challenge

A traditional Shikaku Japanese game: partition the grid into rectangular and square sections!

Guidelines:

- Each number must be included within a section (rectangle or square)

- Each section can contain only one specific number

- The number indicates the total cells that should be included in that section.

Just click and drag to create a rectangle, and good luck!

An Elegant and Deeply Satisfying Logic Puzzle Experience

Shikaku has proven to be a masterclass in minimalist puzzle design, offering a deceptively simple premise that unfolds into a profoundly engaging mental workout. From the very first grid, I was struck by the elegant purity of its rules: partition the grid into rectangles and squares, each containing exactly one number that denotes its area. The gameplay loop of clicking and dragging to form sections is incredibly intuitive, yet the logical deductions required to solve each puzzle provide a substantial and rewarding challenge. 

I found myself completely absorbed, tracing potential partitions mentally before committing, with each correct placement bringing a deep sense of accomplishment. Unlike many puzzle games that rely on complex mechanics, Shikaku's beauty lies in its clarity and the sheer intellectual satisfaction of seeing a chaotic grid of numbers resolve into a perfect, non-overlapping set of rectangles. It's a perfect game for quiet contemplation, demanding focus and spatial reasoning in the most enjoyable way possible. The clean interface ensures nothing distracts from the core logical exercise, making it an ideal choice for puzzle purists.

FAQ Section:

•   Is there a steep learning curve for new players?

Not at all. The rules are exceptionally easy to grasp within minutes. The challenge comes from the logical deduction required to solve the puzzles, not from understanding how to play. The difficulty progresses very fairly, allowing you to build your skills naturally from simpler to more complex grids.

•   Does the game have sufficient content and replayability?

Yes, absolutely. A typical Shikaku game comes with hundreds of puzzles, often ranging from small, quick grids to large, complex ones that can take considerable time to solve. Since the puzzles are pre-generated logic problems, there is a vast amount of unique content to work through.

•   What happens if I make a mistake?

Most implementations of Shikaku include an error-checking feature or highlight conflicts (like overlapping rectangles or a number in an incorrectly sized section). This allows you to learn from mistakes and correct your approach without feeling penalized, fostering a positive and educational experience.