About Netwalk
What Is Netwalk?
Netwalk is a free, browser-based logic puzzle game where you rotate network tiles to connect all computer nodes to a central server. It's inspired by the network topology diagrams that system administrators use to map out data centers and office networks.
There's no time limit, no account required, and no download. Just open the page and start playing. Each puzzle is procedurally generated, so you'll never run out of new boards.
How It Works
Every board starts with a solved network — all nodes connected to the server through underground pipes. Then the tiles are randomly scrambled. Your challenge: click tiles to rotate them 90 degrees until the network is reconnected. Pipes that are linked to the server glow cyan, giving you real-time feedback on your progress.
The core algorithm uses a randomized spanning tree (Prim's algorithm) to generate boards, ensuring every puzzle has at least one valid solution. No guessing required — every board is solvable through logic alone.
Key Features
- 3 difficulty levels: 5×5 (Easy), 7×7 (Medium), 9×9 (Hard)
- 8 languages: English, 中文, Deutsch, Français, Español, 日本語, Русский, 한국어
- Mobile-friendly: Responsive design with touch support for phones and tablets
- No time limit: Play at your own pace — the timer only counts up
- Keyboard shortcut: Press R to start a new game
- Sound effects: Subtle audio feedback on tile rotation and puzzle completion
- Infinite puzzles: Procedural generation ensures every board is unique
History
Netwalk was originally created in the late 1990s as part of the GNOME Games collection for the Linux desktop. Written in C using the GTK toolkit, it became a quiet favorite among Linux users who appreciated its clean logic and no-pressure design.
This web version is an independent tribute that preserves the original gameplay while adding modern features — multi-language support, responsive design for mobile devices, and instant access through any browser. Read the full history on our blog.
Our Mission
We believe the best puzzle games are simple to learn, impossible to master. Netwalk embodies this: one rule (rotate tiles to connect the network), infinite variation. We keep the game free and accessible because logic puzzles should be for everyone.