Sudoku is one of the most popular puzzle games and is one of the most recent puzzle craves. As a result of its recent popularity the App Store has filled up with many variations of the game many are boring and then you will find some hidden gems that put clever twists on the regular pen and paper version.
3-Duko by Gold Brother’s Entertainment is one of those hidden gems and it is definitely not your average game of Sudoku. The game is brought to life in three dimensions on a cube. You simply drag your finger on the screen to move the cube around. It may sound simple but it is not.
The cube is broken up into 6 different colored sections which act as the normal boxes on the pen and paper Sudoku game. You must fill each grid with numbers from 1 to 9 as well as having each side of the cube contain 1 to 9. Simply tap an empty square on the cube and tap any number you think fits that square on the number system below the cube.
Your selected number will appear in that box. You may also change to a note mode by tapping a button which can help you strategize. You can place a small number in a box to help you keep track of what numbers may be the correct number in that box. It is a very useful tool and one that I use frequently when playing any type of Sudoku.
The game also lets you switch to a 2D mode which breaks the color sections of the cube into easy to see 2D versions. This allows for easier control of keeping track of all the numbers.
A hint button is also given so if you are really stuck and can’t figure out what to do next you can give the hint button a tap and a random number will be given to you. The one flaw in this is that you are allowed an unlimited amount of hints so if you become frustrated you might find yourself tapping the hint button too much.
The game is timed so your ultimate goal is to finish the puzzle in the fastest time possible. A counter ticks in the corner putting that added pressure on you as you play. The game features four levels of difficulty: easy, medium, hard, and expert. So no matter what your experience is with Sudoku you can start off slow and work your way up to the harder levels.
The harder levels feature less given numbers on the cube which ultimately makes it harder to figure out what numbers go in the right spot. Overall the gameplay is great it is the classic game of Sudoku that most of us all love combined with an interesting 3D twist for a great take on the classic game.
The graphics are fun and well implemented. Controls are simple and flawless. Music is decent but can get a little annoying while you are trying to think because it is a repeated beat that is played over and over so you might want to turn it off if you are a serious Sudoku player. This game is a must for any Sudoku addict or puzzle lover.
The game is very solid and one that can offer an unlimited amount of fun and puzzles if you wish. If you are not a Sudoku fan you still might want to pick this one up to give it a try as it ofers a new and unique variation of the game and at its $.99 price point the game is well worth a buck.
3-Duko is one of best Sudoku games I have played from the App Store and it is different than all the others. Even though I am not the biggest fan of Sudoku I have come to really enjoy this version and I will continue to play this for a long time to come.