Sudoku Premium

Summary

Sudoku—how can you not love it? Sudoku’s popularity keeps growing and it is rapidly becoming one of the most beloved puzzle games there is. The thing that makes it stand out from other games is its simplicity, because in order to solve a Sudoku puzzle all you need is just the tiniest capacity for logical thinking. I bet anyone could do it, really, and the more often you solve puzzles the quicker your brain will process the information; if and when the easier Sudoku puzzles should become too easy for you can move on to the more challenging ones.

Sudoku Premium provides you with loads and loads of puzzle, bringing Sudoku to Android. Does this mean that it’s time to say ‘sayonara’ to pencil and paper? Find out in today’s review.
 

Sudoku has been all the craze for a while now—but then again so is collecting coupons and Nordic walking. I’m more drawn to challenging puzzle games such as Sudoku than the latter two pass times, but to each her own!

Four different levels of difficulty
I can almost see the blissful smiles forming on the faces of Sudoku beginners, because – you guessed it – the Easy mode really isn’t very challenging, meaning that you will definitely be to solve the puzzles without any outside help. The great thing is that you can keep increasing the level of difficulty ensuring a good workout for your ‘little grey cells’ as Hercule Poirot would say.

When you’re using the Extreme mode you will probably have to resort to the following feature frequently: when you simply can’t find the right number you will have to resort to a process of elimination and marking the boxes that can fit numbers.

For when you’re feeling lazy
What are we poor mortals to do when we hit a dead end and simply don’t know how to go on? Don’t worry, I haven't gone metaphysical on you, I’m actually still talking about Sudoku, and in the case of Sudoku Premium you can consult the helpful hints section if ever you should be really stuck. There’s even a button for when your brain is really on standby but you still want to see how a puzzle is solved. If ever you’re unsure about something you can use the Validation button.

History
Who’s the biggest, baddest, best? Ah, the eternal question. Well as far as Sudoku Premium goes there is a great online highscore portal (for which you have to register). If you ask me, a nickname should suffice for highscore portals, but the app requires your email address in order for you to register. If you choose to save your scores locally instead you won’t need to register.

In the mood for showing off? Share it!
You’d think that the share function would enable you to boast via Twitter and Facebook, but forget it—you can publish your scores via email or Bluetooth… big woop, right?

The settings
The settings are really expansive and encompass things related to controls, design and the hints/helpers. Two examples of one of the many settings options: set a timer on or off or abolish the help functions.

Bottom line:
If you are Sudoku crazy you have to try out Sudoku Premium because you will be head over heels for it. So many puzzles to solve, so little time! And if ever you get stuck you can be sure to find a way to solve the darn thing, no matter what. Controls are simple and fun, regardless of whether you opt for finger, keyboard or track ball. Brilliant!

Advantages
• Sudoku, Sudoku, Sudoku! Did I mention Sudoku?
• Helpful hints
• Lots of settings options

Drawbacks
• The application is available in English only
 

The bambu look
Clean lines, exact numbers, a tidy looking playing field. The application’s design is a respectful nod at the puzzle’s Asian heritage. Whether everyone will dig the bamboo motif is another matter...

Different options for controls
Trackball, keyboard, all entry methods—they all work really well. That being said, it takes a bit of time getting used to using the keyboard to navigate through the puzzle.

The most intuitive way of playing a round of Sudoku Premium is the finger/touchscreen combo, IMO.
 

Sudoku Premium runs very smoothly and there was no lagging and no crashes during our (multiple) test runs.

Sudoku Premium can be downloaded for ca. €1,41 from the Google Market.

There’s a Free version (with ad banners) that can be downloaded from the Market and the App Center.

Sudoku Premium is our app of the week from June 6th 2011- until June 12th 2011. It’s available from the App Center for 50% off!