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Sudoku On The Mind

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: April 24, 2007
Author: Amazon User

For the past few years, puzzle games have became all the range. Thanks to the thrill of video games like Brain Age for the Nintendo DS, many gamers have decided to step away from the action and sports titles, to something more into the mind. That has happened with Sudoku. The simple game has definitely brought so many gamers into a challenging filed of 9x9 puzzling action. Yet, even though the Nintendo DS has had some great titles, but the Sony PSP has yet to have a definitive title that can be just as great in the puzzle match. Maybe, U.K. Sudoku master Carol Voderman could help in this new game.

Carol Voderman's Sudoku for the Sony PSP, is a game that tries to test your mind and hands at the most challenging number game, Sudoku. In this game, nothing is changed that seperates itself from other sudoku titles. The game seperates itself more visually, as Carol gives you a detailed instruction on how to play the game, and the opportunity to go head to head with her. There are numerous puzzles here that challenge you as you try to play each number from 1 to 9 in a 3x3 box and in horizontal and vertical lines that are across and vertical. The graphics work very nicely, and handle well with the PSP. Unfortunately, the gameplay is good for new Su Doku gamers, but for die hard puzzlers, they might feel this game is not as challenging as other ones like Go Su Doku were. The control is basic, adn easy to operate through each of the puzzles, but leaves a dent for some puzzle fans.

All in all, Carol Voderman's Sudoku isn't a bad title, but could've left a lot more to have been desired for multiplayer action. Still, if you haven't played Sudoku yet and own a PSP, than this is the game for you. Otherwise, you might want to try something else that is less puzzling.

Graphics: B

Sound: C+

Control: B-

Fun & Enjoyment: C

Overall: C 1/2+

A very plain sudoku game

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 7
Date: March 20, 2007
Author: Amazon User

In case you didn't know, the attractively clad woman on the cover is Carol Vorderman, a 50-year-old quiz gameshow host in the U.K. She's written a book or two on the game of sudoku, so now she "hosts" this game.

This is really a very simple and plain electronic sudoku game. The controls are pretty easy to figure out (I rented my copy). There are a few categories of gameplay; for single player mode they are: classic for quick solo playing; arcade for timed playing; career for earning the title "master of sudoku" (it's just progressive play); and "challenge Carol" for timed difficult puzzles. There is a multi-player mode; I didn't try that because nobody else has this game.

You also get a few half-baked video instructions, tips and tutorials; they really suck.

As a sudoku fan I found most of the games a little too easy. But what really sucks about this game is it's really plain and no fun at all for anyone who's not into sudoku. I mean, they could have made it a bit more interesting. Twenty bucks for a boring game like this is really a waste of money.

So, unless you are crazy about sudoku, you'll do better staying away from this game. If you like sudoku, this should have enough puzzles to keep you busy for a while -- although you'd probably have more fun with sudoku games for the Nintendo DS.

Do you Sudoku? Call on Carol!

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: February 11, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Carol Vorderman, an amiable UK television personality, introduces us to the game of Sudoku with step-by-step video tutorials that are easy to understand, and she even shows a sample puzzle from start to finish. As the player increases their skill, additional tutorials from Carol can provide advanced gameplay tips.

There are tools to assist as the player gets their feet wet: The "Assists" mode can set up pencil marks, inform the player if any Sudoku rules have been broken, and it will even point out errors as the player progresses.

While doing the puzzles, the player has the option to listen to some music. It's the same loop of "Sudoku Elevator Muzak" repeated ad infinitum and there's no other choice...it's either Muzak or silence.

For some odd reason, the career mode of gameplay is in a martial arts ranking system. As the player progresses, a black belt can be earned, and Carol's expertise can be challenged in advanced gameplay modes.

There are co-operative modes, but since the game of Sudoku is usually a solo activity, the average gamer will probably never use these.

The description of the PSP button control is curiously incomplete both in the game instructions and the boxed instructions, but with a little trial and errror, one can figure out how to use the interface. The instruction manual gives a "print & play" option on the main menu, but this is not in the game anywhere. The "Sudoku Solver" option suggests that Carol can help to solve any Sudoku puzzle, but when this is selected, it opens up a blank Sudoku grid where numbers can be randomly entered and an optional puzzle solution can be chosen. This looks like a feature that never got completed.

So what's the final verdict?

It's pretty clear that Carol Vorderman cashed in on having her face and name appear on the cover of the box, the instruction manual, and the game menus. Her visage and voice are an enjoyable introduction to the world of Sudoku - most other PSP Sudoku games are very bland and offer little to no assistance in learning basic or advanced tactics.

Some other reviewers have commented that this is not a choice for die hard Sudoku players, and I tend to agree. The incomplete & misleading instructions also diminish the final product.

However, if you have a PSP and you're looking to understand what's all the rave about Sudoku, this is a great way to get hooked.

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