Carol Vorderman's Sudoku Hot

Since the beginning of time math teachers have tried to convince their students that arithmetic is actually a fun and rewarding activity.  Even at a young age the BS detector would sound wildly; how in the world could something so seemingly unnecessary be practical, let alone fun?  I mean, we had the Apple II, surely nothing was more fit to handle all mathematical calculations in the human world.  Why even learn math?  As it turns out, with the advent of to Sudoku craze, all of those teachers from our collective past were at least partially right, math is fun, in the right context. 

Despite it's addictive nature, Sudoku does have it's drawbacks.  Playing with a pen certainly isn't smart, and I've never been a fan of pencils and all of their eraser dust mess.  The obvious solution is to not screw up and do everything perfectly the first time.  For those of us not in the 170 IQ range, this task is virtually impossible.  If only there was an electronic version of Sudoku, an incarnation that didn't require such archaic hand tools.  IF ONLY.

Carol Vorderman to the Rescue

Slightly late to the party, but Sudoku has once again arrived on Sony's blessed handheld.  For those unfamiliar with the game's basic rules, here's a quick rundown:  Sudoku is a strategy/puzzle game that's been around for a number of years, but is currently on the fading end of a huge popularity wave.  You're presented with a square containing a 9x9 grid, which is further subdivided into a 3x3 grid via bold lines.  Within this grid, each vertical, horizontal, and 3x3 "minisquare" must be filled with the numbers 1 through 9.  Oh, and you're only allowed to use each number once.  Depending on the degree of difficulty attached, a predetermined number of digits are provided for the player.  These provided digits become the basis if your grid as you find ways to include each number in each line, column, and square.  The challenge comes from the brain melting path to somehow include every number in each line or column without corrupting the entire grid

And there you have it, tons of number crunching fun.  But wait, hasn't Go! Sudoku already staked it's claim as the essential digitally digestible PSP sudoku experience?  Well, yes, but this version is presented by none other than the esteemed Carol Vorderman.  Yes, that's right the acclaim-wait, who's Carol Vorderman, you ask?  Well, according to wikipedia, she's a mathematical genius, dietician, and long time gameshow host on British television.  She makes numerous in-game appearances, usually by way of lengthy, video sequences describing the intricacies of Sudoku.  Honestly, she's a way larger part of the game than the bland cover model I was expecting.  She offers tips for both beginners and experts alike, relays an in depth understanding of the game, and is even available as a boss-like challenge.  All of this helps pull her titular Sudoku game out of the ordinary pen and paper experience and transforms it into an interactive electronic extravaganza.

Suck, You Do

The game certainly isn't short on challenge.  Boasting over a million unique puzzles, it might very well be one of the longest games in history.  Of course, this all depends on how much number squashing madness one can take before they either get bored or simply start hating repeat failure.  One thing is certain; Sudoku is not for everyone.  It's slow (well, for most of us) pace and long term decision making place it more akin to chess than, say, Lumines or other inhabitants of the PSP puzzler genre. 

Still, Carol Vorderman's Sudoku tries its best to rope you in from every angle.  There's plenty of tutorials and tips for novices.  The tips, in particular, are available during every puzzle incase you find yourself stuck on a particular segment.  Once you get the hang of things there's an adjustable difficulty level, each perfectly tailored to a players familiarity with the game.  A couple game modes are peppered throughout the single player experience.  They're all just a variation on the main theme (such as time attack or a "three strikes and you're out" mode), but kudos to the developers for actually trying to stretch the basics out.

There's a Sudoku solver, where Carol the AI will solve any random puzzle you create, regardless of the alleged impossibility of your challenge.  Think of this as a way to make a crazy puzzle, tell your friend to solve it, then triumphantly show him or her the answer just before they suffer an aneurysm.   Speaking of friends, there's a multiplayer mode as well.  Either hand off the PSP in hot seat fashion or battle the clock via an ad hoc network.  It's not going to give more intense games a run for their money any time soon, but it's an appreciated option.

The most enduring is portion of the game is the aforementioned challenge against Carol Vorderman.  To get there you'll have to work your way (assist free) through various fighting game inspired Dan levels as you try and solve puzzles faster than your AI counterparts.  In the end you'll face off against Carol and an epic battle of the minds. Sure it's not really her, but given her status as your teacher throughout the entire game, it sort of feels less ridiculous than one would think. 

Brain Candy: Yes, Ear Candy: No

The audio and visual package isn't quite as rounded out as the gameplay of Carol Vorderman's Sudoku.  The layout of the menus and puzzle are all nice and organized; it's pretty hard to make Sudoku flashy and the developers should actually receive props for trying not to spice it up with something crazy, but it's never going to each eye candy status.  The sound department is filled with the smooth beeps and bops that one would expect in a title like this.  The background music, however is an entirely different demon.  At first the soothing, ethereal music evokes a "ah, so this is what people listen to when they think" sentiment.  About ten minutes later you realize it's still the same track and that it's just looping over and over.  And over.  For the entire game.  Better have your ipod!