Kuboku [rating: 4/5]
Sudoku’s are a lot like Marmite, you either love them or you hate them, that’s how decisive they are. For me I fell on the side of love ever since I first started playing them in my daily newspaper.
For those of you that missed the rise of the Sudoku puzzle throughout the western world a Sudoku is a cross between a Word Search and a Crossword Puzzle but with numbers. The challenge with a Sudoku is to complete an 8 x 8 grid of numbers where each number can only appear on each vertical or horizontal row once.
There are millions of puzzles and difficulties but Kuboku takes the game to a whole new level thanks to the extra dimension that the iPhone/iPad offers. For now, rather than completing an 8 x 8 grid your challenge is to complete an 8 x 8 x 8 cube instead!
This is not as difficult as it seems especially if you start out on the easiest of the three levels before moving up to the Medium and Hard puzzles.
The cube fills the majority of the screen and it can be rotated by simply dragging your finger across the screen allowing you to get an accurate look at the missing number and the corresponding cells that control the placement of the next number.
The three difficulty levels controls the number of missing numbers from the cube. The more numbers that are missing the more complex the puzzle will be. You are presented with finding the solution for one number at a time and if you can’t solve it right away you can use the arrow buttons to move to the next number or double tap the missing number that you want to solve next.
Only the relevant corresponding blocks to the number that you are attempting to solve are displayed by default. However if you wish to see the other numbers this can be done by holding down the appropriate button. This can help you, but can also sometimes hinder your solution!
Finding the right number quickly can earn you bonus points and completing a chain of correct numbers before the timer runs our grows the multiplier nicely. This adds additional pressure to playing Kuboku and takes it from being a sedate puzzle game to an edge of the seat challenge instead.
Games are selected randomly depending on the difficulty level you choose although if you find a particular puzzle enjoyable or wish to attempt to beat you previous score you can enter the number of the puzzle in to play that specific one.
Kuboku is a universal app too so for the $1.99 price tag you get to play Kaboku on both your iPhone and iPad should you have both. The game is the same on both devices and looks great on them both too.
The game is also Game Center enabled but only utilizes the leader boards to rank your scores against you, your friends and the world! Adding some achievements would certainly have been a nice addition.
Kuboku is a great twist on the classic sudoku puzzle and with 1000 challenging puzzles has enough to keep even the hardened puzzler entertained.
Pros
- 1000 unique puzzles
- Great control mechanism
- Clear and sleek graphics
Cons
- Will be a challenge for some
- No Game Center Achievements
$1.99 (View in iTunes)
Category: Games
Updated:Oct 22, 2010
Current Version:1.0.1
1.0.1
28.8 MB
Languages:English, French, German, Japanese
Seller:Creaceed SPRL
© 2010 Creaceed SPRL
Rated 4+
Requirements:Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.1 or later
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