Games Thursday : Filler (Puzzle Game)
Filler is a fun little strategy game for those short two to three minute breaks. Developed by Alexander Vikulin back in 1995 for both Windows 3.1 and Windows 95, Filler places two players (human or AI) on different ends (configurable) of a playing area of 1377 hexagons coloured in up to nine different colours (default is 9 colours but the number of colours can be set from 5 to 9).
Each player takes turns to select a colour from the colours on the top bar which will then add any adjacent hexagons of that colour to your territory as well as change all hexagons in your territory to the selected colour. Whoever occupies more than 688 hexagons first wins!
-40 hexagon difference between me and the AI
The only catch is that you cannot choose the same colour as that selected by your opponent in his previous turn. This rule actually allows players to play defensively and deny their opponent from occupying large number of hexagons of a certain colour in the next turn, thereby maintaining their numerical advantage (or reducing their disadvantage if they are on the losing end)
Major victory by the AI again!
The ability to think far ahead, expand agressively on multiple fronts and play defensively are essential skills to win consistently at this game. Luck does play a considerable part in this game as a lucky player can grow very fast during the crucial first few turns. Since growth is proportional to the number of hexagons along the border of a player’s territory, it’s possible to achieve an almost unbeatable numerical advantage over the hapless opponent after several turns – I usually start a new game when I’m have a -100 difference with my opponent 
Download Filler (32 bit) from Alexander Vikulin’s homepage (right bottom) or if you’re running Windows 3.1, the 16 bit version from Theodor Lauppert’s Game Gallery where I first found this game. Theodor Lauppert’s pages happen to be an excellent resource if you’re interested in classic puzzle games 
NOTE: Filler does not appear in the Windows taskbar so after switching to another application, you’ll need to Alt-Tab back to it and close it with Alt+F4 or click on the door icon (fifth icon from the left) after playing.
MORE @ THE DOWNLOAD MUNKEY:
Wodan : The Trial
Bubblets – Jawbreaker for Windows
Vantage Master Online
Peoples’ Tactics by Victor Reijkersz
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