How to Play Hitori

THE PLAYBOOK · ACSIWANG

How to play Hitori

Try Hitori at your own pace and keep its objective in view. Shade repeated numbers while keeping black cells separated and all white cells connected. Use the example below to understand a decision. Check the rule that explains your first action. Keep the game area visible while you use its controls.

Play twelve 5×5 puzzles. Any shaded starting cells remain fixed.

Read before acting

Read one step at a time and try it on the playing area. Match the instruction to the control you use. Use the example to check your reasoning.

Your goal

Shade repeated numbers while keeping black cells separated and all white cells connected. The feedback beside the game helps you follow the round. Return to the instructions when a step is unclear.

Step by step

1. Click a cell to shade, mark or clear it.
2. No unshaded number may repeat in a row or column.
3. Black cells cannot share an edge.
4. Check puzzle verifies duplicates and connectivity.

Controls

Click or tap squares or graph edges. Number boards include a digit pad. Undo reverses the previous change; Check puzzle validates the solution. Read a button’s label before selecting it. Contact us with the game and device if a control does not respond.

A useful example

Two identical unshaded numbers in one row cannot both remain. Compare this with the rule that governs the move. Look for the relevant detail.

Watch out for this

Removing every duplicate can disconnect white cells. Compare the situation with the worked example. Compare the worked example with your own position. Use the reasoning, not an answer copied from a different board.

Common questions