Wall Pipe Overview
Wall Pipe is a real-time puzzle game centered on constructing a functional pipeline for flowing water. Players receive a queue of pipe segments and must place them to connect a water source, sometimes to a specific outlet. The available pieces are drawn in order from this queue, with the next three visible to allow some foresight.
Gameplay is split into a planning phase and an execution phase. After a forty-second delay, water begins to flow, moving faster than new pipes can be placed. This creates a challenging race against time, as the pipeline must be continuously extended before the water reaches a dead end or usable parts are exhausted.
Scoring rewards efficient construction. Points are awarded for each pipe segment used and for creating closed loops within the layout. However, points are deducted for any pipes that do not ultimately carry water when the round concludes, except during special bonus rounds. Successful play can earn a place on the high-score list.
Notable constraints shape the strategy. Unlike similar tile-matching games, pipe segments cannot be rotated to fit. Furthermore, once a piece is taken from the queue, its shape must be remembered, as it is not visible while being held.
