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M3 works in somewhat the same way as the traditional Minesweeper. There are 75 "bombs" placed randomly on the 16x30 matrix. | |
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Every "clue" (number on the board) indicates the total value of the adjacent bombs. Every bomb has a value of either 1, 2 or 3. |
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In addition, 25 (new to version 2) of the clues are "perpendicular clues". These clues give the total value of only those bombs perpendicularly adjacent to the clue (i.e. not diagonally connected bombs). These clues are marked with a cross on the value of the clue. They've been called "Jesus clues", but god knows why. |
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There are also 7 (new to version 2) "unknown clues", indicated by a ? (question mark). Note that these clues do not necessarily mean that there is a bomb adjacent to the clue. |
The amounts of different types of bombs placed in a game are random, but total to 75 (except in the image below, but you're not supposed to notice).
New to version 2: Minimum amounts for each type of bomb have been installed so that there is never a game that is a lot faster to flag and thus faster to complete. These minimums are currently
- 20 bombs of value 1,
- 15 of value 2, and
- 10 of value 3.
At the bottom of an active game you will find the time elapsed, the pause button (that can be used at any time whilst playing), as well as three indicators telling you how many of each type of bomb there are left. Green is bombs of the value 1, blue is 2 and red is 3.
New to version 2: Under the time elapsed you will see your CPM -- how many spots you uncover in a minute (not including the "explosions" when you open up a big area) -- which is now also recorded when you enter the highscore, and your Approximate Finishing Time, useful for checking if you'll make the highscore, to make you sad when you lose, or whatever. It's just there.
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To mark, or "flag", a bomb, hold down Ctrl and left-click on where you think a bomb is. Repeat this step until the bomb is indicated as the type you want. Note that the flag will skip a type of bomb if all the bombs of that type have already been flagged. |
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Holding down Shift and left-clicking will make any flagged bomb unflagged again. |
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In some situations, it is impossible to determine, from the clues given, where bombs are located. In every new game you are granted one "hint" to be used in these situations. Hold down Alt and left-click on a spot to get a hint telling you if that spot is clear (has no bombs) or not. |
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Finally, sometimes in rare special fluffy cases, when you flag a bomb a fat bunny will appear on that spot and hide all adjacent clues. |
New to version 2: THEMED GAMES:
From the main menu you can also choose to play the themed game. This game is a preset design that will change every month or so, and has its own highscore that will be cleared every time a new design is released. Anyone can submit a design by downloading the template and following the instructions.
New to version 2: DATAGRID-BASED HIGHSCORE SYSTEM:
There are now 50 positions on the highscore. You can also sort the highscores by name, time and CPM. Everyone's percentage of covering the highscore table and their average time is also given.
This is what a finished M3 game looks like in version 1.8. Try and see if you understand all the clues before you try to play a game. Or not, if you're really quick.
Oh, and a 7 in the font used in M3 looks like a 9... but not really. You'll get used to it.
Still confused? Send questions to jeanre.smit@gmail.com so that I can update the help page.