Sudoku Frenzy

In recent memory, nothing has swept the globe as fast and as fierce as Sudoku. While its name is obviously a Japanese name, the game actually originated in America under the name "Number Place." It's not nearly as catchy, I know. It became popular in Japan in the 1980s, where it was published under the name we all know. In 2005, it became an international hit. It was only a matter of time before I was reviewing a pc game based on it, and here I am with Ancient Sudoku.

For those that don't know how the game works (and I know you're out there), I'll explain what it is to the best of my ability. You're presented with a grid of 3 x 3 blocks, each block containing 3 x 3 smaller blocks. Each one of these main blocks must contain the digits one through nine. However, a digit cannot be repeated in any single main block, row, or column across the game board. Got it? I hope so, because now I'm confused.

So Many Options

While it's is traditionally played with the numbers one through nine, Ancient Sudoku allows you to play with colors and letters as well. When using letters, you simply use the first nine letters of the alphabet. To place a number in a block, simply left-click the block and choose what number you want to go in there. The letters pop up on a ring, but you can change it to a number pad if you like. If you've made an error (the number is a duplicate), the tile will turn red, indicating that you need to change it. This all serves to make Sudoku more accessible, which is a good thing, because it can seem quite daunting.

you can choose to play a standard game, in which you set the difficulty, or you can play the Masters Challenge. In this mode, you will play a sequence of ten games with escalating difficulty. If you beat this you earn a Masters Challenge, which isn't good for much except bragging. Still, the Masters Challenge is a fun way to play once you've gotten a couple games under your belt.

Puzzle Creator

One of the best features in Ancient Sudoku is the puzzle creator. In case you hadn't guessed, this mode allows you to create your own puzzles to share with other people. This is incredibly fun to do with a friend, as it's a great way to challenge each other. Once your puzzle is complete, the game will verify that it is solvable. This is the perfect mode for the person who has long since mastered the game.

I Give In

It definitely took me a while to submit to the craze, but after playing this game, I have to admit that I am a fan at heart. I've never been too keen on numbers, but this really brings out the fun side of them, and it's surprisingly easy to sink your teeth into. I just wish the game was that easy!