Net can be done with reasoning rather than mindless iteration. You start by locking in end points surrounded by other end points except for one free space. if you have a straight line that can connect two end points then you lock it in the other orientation. If a line is locked next to a T pipe, the back of the t pipe goes against the line. If a corner piece is next to a locked pipe, you know that the side opposite the incoming pipe is empty, so it could be the back of a T or the side of a line piece, etc.

i only play Net (largest size or bigger, wrapping) using the locks; I disconnect the surrounding pipes from the center so nothing is lit up, and then start locking squares based on their surroundings. some of them I can't even solve. I can see the answer, but my head can't contain the logic necessary to lock them down

Yeah, that's what I meant. On the other hand, something like Towers has you trying different configurations because there's not always enough information to motivate the next step.