Classic Sudoku Review

Introduction

Fans of Sudoku are all too familiar with the feeling of puzzling over a tricky set endlessly without any hints. The popular YouTubers Cracking The Cryptic knew it, too. They set out to provide Sudoku lovers far and wide with a hand-crafted set of puzzles. Classic Sudoku is their new take on the worldwide phenomenon. It features custom hints every step of the way and teaches players the patterns and combinations of the game. Additionally, there are over 40 puzzles at launch, with five more releasing every week through November 2020.

Concept

Sudoku is a puzzle game that works with numbers in a 9x9 grid. The grid is broken into smaller 3x3 boxes, and these boxes each contain numerals 1-9. Solving the puzzles is tricky, though. The numerals 1-9 must also fit perfectly in each horizontal and vertical line without repeating. Getting everything lined up perfectly is a satisfying rush, and Classic Sudoku stays true to this. Since the puzzles are hand-designed, though, this game adds something great: hints. Get as many or few hints as you need, and take on Sudoku in a way like never before. This 5/5 concept can't is great for anyone who loves a good brain teaser but maybe has been hesitant to jump in before.

Graphics and Audio

Sudoku is pretty simple, so the graphics and audio aren't anything over the top, but they don't necessarily need to be. Classic Sudoku does feature some excellent quality of life options, such as color coordination. Clicking different rows and squares denotes them various colors, which is a fantastic way for tracking steps and patterns you're working on. There are several options about marking ideas in the corner without filling out an entire square, allowing you to see your progress and thoughts, which Sudoku players know is vital to be able to change things around easily. These features earn Classic Sudoku 4/5.

Gameplay

The 40 puzzles available at launch vary in difficulty. They start out simple and teach basic patterns used in Sudoku along the way. Since these are hand-crafted puzzles, it's easy to trust the in-game hints. Things get more challenging, but it's easy to turn on hints if you're stumped. The different ways to mark numbers in the boxes are convenient. Not sure if it's a 3, 5, or 8? Mark each one in a corner and come back later once you've narrowed things down. Select a single box or entire rows or columns. Solve puzzles by dropping the correct numbers in the center of the boxes. With such straight forward gameplay, it's easy to focus on the puzzles and enjoy the content. Having hints available even on the trickiest levels is so great. Additionally, there's content planned in the form of 5 puzzles a week through November 2020. That's 100 puzzles in all! All of this earns Classic Sudoku a 5/5 top-notch puzzle video game.

Conclusion

Sometimes, simplicity is key. Classic Sudoku is the brainchild of some great people who love this addictive numbers game. It takes all of the best elements and combines them into a streamlined set of hand-crafted works. There is plenty of content already available. Anyone can feel like a Sudoku master with the hints system. Learn the strategy behind this great puzzle game in a solid video game version. Being able to use highlighters as well as different ways to mark numbers set Classic Sudoku apart in an unusual way.

TL/DR

Classic Sudoku is the ultimate culmination of hand-crafted puzzles for newcomers and veterans alike.