Review: Mastersoft SuDoKu V1.10

[Brad Isaac]

I had never heard of the game SuDoKu (how do you say that?) until a Pocket PC version of the game was released by Mastersoft Mobile Solutions. It is a game described as being a cross between the Rubik's cube and crossword puzzles. As a former fan of both Rubik's and crosswords, I thought it might be right up my alley so I downloaded the trial.
Description: The game seems simple enough, it is a graph of small 3x3 blocks inside 3x3 blocks. Or is it a huge square with 9x9 squares inside it? Within the little squares are numbers ranging from 1 to 9. The purpose of the game is simple. In each 3x3 block, enter the numbers 1 - 9.
The catch: You cannot duplicate the same number in any one block. Also, you cannot have a number duplicated in any one row or column. A row is what stretches between much like a rook in the game of chess, the row stretches the entire game board right to left - up and down.
Installation is pretty basic. Simply double click the desktop icon on your computer while your Pocket PC is docked and it will do the rest. It installs the main SuDoku program into main memory or storage card and also installs a SQL component if you don't have it already into main memory.
First impressions: The game is very professionally constructed. It has a nice intro sound, game sounds and splash screen. The game board may seem bland at first, but it can be customized with 13 different styles. In fact, you don't even have to play with numbers if you don't want to. You can play with different colored ladybugs in the "coder's heaven" style or what I think look like donuts in the "Summer's Here" Style. Personally, I think I would be overwhelmed playing with bugs instead of numbers but you at least have the choice.
To play the game is pretty simple. You simply click a box and a little number box pops up which you use to choose the number 1-9 that you want. There is an added advantage of a color picker in the number select box. You can color the numbers the way you like - or, as I do, you can color a number differently from the rest to indicate that you aren't absolutely sure about that move.
Like I alluded to above, upon first launching the game, I found it to look pretty basic. Little did I know. Even in simple mode, the game can get quite complex. At first, I found myself trying to fill in a block with the numbers 1-9 casually looking down each row to make sure I wasn't doubling up on any number. This strategy went well until about 20 moves out I found that move number 6 or 7 was wrong! Finding this out so late in the game was a bit unnerving. After all, if that move was wrong, how many others were influenced by that move and are wrong as well?
Not to be one to easily give up on a puzzle, I started a new game. Suddenly, I noticed a simple row calculation I could do to ensure the number I inserted was absolutely the correct digit. I couldn't immediately do this for all spaces on the board, but as I got the numbers right, it opened up more opportunities for calculations and correct moves. So, from there, I was able to solve my very first SuDoKu!
Since then, I have been playing it about twice a day. Usually a quick one at lunch and one to relax before bed. I would probably describe solving a SuDoKu about as satisfying as solving a crossword puzzle. If I was to compare it to an American game, I'd say it's a lot like Scrabble with a bit of "Jumble" and the classic number sliding game thrown in.
Bugs and wishes:
The only possible problem I found with the game is sometimes it takes a second for the number select box to activate. I am guessing this has to do with the fact that the program saves every move into a database file. The saving of the file is a great benefit since it saves your progress even if you exit the game. Yet I wish it was a tad more responsive when choosing a number. Other than that, I haven't found any other issues with it after playing with it for two weeks
Pros:
• Fairly easy to pick up and play
• Nice interface and sounds
• Keeps your mind working
• Solving a puzzle is a blast
• Progress is saved even if you quit in the middle of a game
Cons:
• The number select box could be more responsive
Conclusion:
I have tried a number of games for the Pocket PC and although many boast 3D quality graphics and quick game play, I find that the only type of game I will actually play on my device is a strategy game like Solitaire, Bejeweled and now SuDoku. This game can provide hours and hours of entertainment for a very reasonable price. You might even find yourself thinking clearer after a game or two. If you are a fan of crossword puzzles, scrabble or Jumbles, this is the numbers equivalent. I highly recommend you give it a try.