Download Ishido - The Way of Stones

Ishido: The Way of Stones is a puzzle game of ancient origins, that will immediately invoke comparison to MahJongg, and rightly so. However, rather than removing pairs of matching tiles from a pre-stacked pile, in Ishido you are placing tiles, or stones, as they are referred to in this game. Of course stones must be placed according to some simple rules based on the color and pattern of the stone. Ishido includes detailed rules in-line as well as some pointers on strategy, so I will not go into depth on it now. Take a look at the screen shots to the right for a clue as to how the game plays.

In my opinion, Ishido takes much more thought and patience than MahJongg. Randomly placing stones with little forethought will usually leave you without moves well before all your stones have been placed. Four-ways, which are the true goal of placing your stones, net you a higher score, but require incredible planning and some luck.

The game features several modes of play, multiple board skins, multiple tile sets, and a variety of options. The graphics are more than satisfactory for a puzzle game. The sound effect is limited to stones clicking into place, and there is no music at all. This could be a welcome change of pace though, allowing you to drop in a smooth jazz CD to listen to while you concentrate on winning!

Ishido is a worthy addition to any puzzle lovers collection. It's the perfect game for a little contemplative relaxation on a rainy day. The cliché of a few minutes to learn, but a lifetime to master applies easily to Ishido.