Picross 3D is my favourite puzzle game of all time. I spent so many hours playing that masterpiece while catching public transport, watching TV, listening to podcasts, lazing around with friends, etc. It's a core gaming memory for me and in the 15 years since it came out on Nintendo DS I've been chasing something, anything that comes close to what Picross 3D perfected (other than its only sequel on Nintendo 3DS in 2016). Finally, I have that with Nurikabe World, and I couldn't be happier. This is a perfect puzzle game, one that finally scratches the same itch as Picross 3D, with clearly defined rules that allow you to, through careful application of logic and process of elimination, whittle your initial canvas containing just a few numbers as guidance down to a clear and satisfying answer. Unlike Picross 3D however, Nurikabe World is a modern game with features like Daily Puzzles and User Levels, meaning I shouldn't have to wait 15 years for another one, I can just keep on playing Nuri...
Nurikabe World
- Release Date:
- Jan 13, 2025
- Developer:
- Hemisquare
- Publisher:
- Hemisquare
- Platforms:
- Windows Mac Linux
Game Tags
About This Game

In Nurikabe World, you create islands by placing water tiles. Each number must be separated into its own island with the indicated number of tiles. Completed islands will grow trees and other structures.
Getting started is easy, you only need to know a few rules to start playing!
- All islands must be separated by water
- The water must form one connected river
- 2x2 water squares, called "pools", are not allowed
Nurikabe World has puzzles of all sizes and difficulty levels. The crafted puzzles will take you through breezy 5x5 levels to 15x15 endurance-testing experiences and more. There are also a bunch of difficult smaller puzzles for bite-sized challenges.
Solving harder puzzles will require you to learn advanced solving techniques, which you'll learn along the way.

Nurikabe World has:
- Hundreds of hand-crafted puzzles
- Different environments, seasons and times of day
- Relaxing visuals and music
- Infinitely generated puzzles
- Intuitive level editor
- Daily challenges
Nurikabe World does not have:
- City building
- Simulation
- Multiplayer
- Crafting

Hand-crafted puzzle campaign
Journey through a hand-crafted campaign with thematic sets of puzzles. The campaign is split into various difficulty levels and puzzle styles, ranging from simple tutorial maps to mind-bending puzzles. This mode offers a guided tour through Nurikabe World, teaching you valuable solving techniques on the way!
Infinite generation
Attain a flow state while solving an infinite stream of procedurally generated puzzles. Choose from a variety of puzzle generation algorithms and settings, either speeding through simple puzzles or embracing the chaotic difficulty spikes of unpredictable generation. Even though the hardest puzzles may feel impossible, every puzzle is guaranteed to have a unique solution!
Daily challenges
Not sure what to do? Solve the daily Nurikabe World puzzles. Each day there are three hand-curated puzzles with varying difficulty levels.

Nurikabe World is under active development by a few passionate individuals in Finland!
Screenshots
User Reviews
the best puzzle game I have ever played
Minesweeper but without the stress of everything blowing up on you. Also, far more beautiful! It feels like such an accomplishment to have a full board and slowly work to the solution.
Excellent puzzle game with lovely chill art and music. Difficulty is about right, maybe a touch on the easy side. Great amount of levels and there's never a penalty for trying and failing. Small potential improvements: Wish it was easier to replay daily puzzles without changing system clock. Also wish there was a way to mark water tiles in the same way you can mark land tiles as "confirmed" to help with deduction.
very nice and chill game doesnt hold your hand too much and has integrated player made levels. everything you could ask for
Came to this from the Triple Click podcast, and I was not disappointed! There are other Nurikabe games out there, but this one does a great job walking you through learning the rules, and the visuals and music are simply gorgeous. I wholeheartedly recommend this gem!
Bought this off of a recommendation from a podcast I listened to and adore this game. It’s easy to pick up and play, and incredibly meditative. So many of the puzzles just start to make sense after a while, even if I can’t fully explain it. It’s very satisfying.
Almost everything I wanted from a puzzle game! And the UX is great :) how rewarding and calm beating challenges is. Cute UX touch: the islands sprouting vegetation when completed.
Think Minesweeper, but more relaxing. There are no fail states like selecting the wrong tile though, just keep trying to figure it out if it's not the correct solution. The art style and music are absolutely zen. This is one of those games where you blink and an hour is gone. Highly recommended if you're looking for a nice relaxing puzzle game.
Unhurried, beautiful puzzle game.
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System Requirements
Minimum
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 10
- Processor: 1 GHz Dual Core
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Graphics: Intel HD 520
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 1 GB available space
Recommended
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 10
- Processor: 2.5 GHz Dual Core
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia GTX 1050 / AMD RX 560
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 1 GB available space
FAQ
How much does Nurikabe World cost?
Nurikabe World costs $9.99.
What are the system requirements for Nurikabe World?
Minimum: Minimum: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system OS: Windows 10 Processor: 1 GHz Dual Core Memory: 2 GB RAM Graphics: Intel HD 520 DirectX: Version 11 Storage: 1 GB available space Recommended: Recommended: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system OS: Windows 10 Processor: 2.5 GHz Dual Core Memory: 4 GB RAM Graphics: Nvidia GTX 1050 / AMD RX 560 DirectX: Version 11 Storage: 1 GB available space
What platforms is Nurikabe World available on?
Nurikabe World is available on Windows PC, macOS, Linux.
Is Nurikabe World worth buying?
Nurikabe World has 100% positive reviews from 12 players.
When was Nurikabe World released?
Nurikabe World was released on Jan 13, 2025.
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