MultiSudoku: Samurai Puzzles

I love the complexity which actually makes it easier but it takes longer to finish which is a plus for me. I can always finish because it is actually easier. Since the print size gets small I quite frequently use the check answer feature to make sure I don’t have an error along the way. I like that I can always get it and that it takes a while so provides a half hour to an hour or more of entertainment for me. I can leave it and come back later. It’s a great app.

Their genius idea? Arrange the "pencil marks" spatially in each square so you can tell what it is by its position if you're zoomed out too far. Highlighting pencil marks when that number is selected is also nice (although I wish you could pick the color), as are speed tools like being able to just tap a square once to place a chosen number there. The multi-Sudoku puzzles are fun, although I wish there were more included in the free version, but then again who doesn't? The reason I have it 4 stars instead of 5 is the price of the "volumes" or expansion packs. Shelling out up to US$3.99 for just 24 puzzles is ridiculous. These things are computer-generated! For that price, I'd expect at least several hundred. Even 99 cents for just 24 puzzles is rather high. There also doesn't appear to be an option to pay a slightly higher amount ($10 would be fair) to get the whole library. Right now there are 107 volumes available to purchase, each only 24 puzzles, ranging in price (in the US) from $1-$4 in $1 increments. Assuming an equal distribution of prices (which I don't think is accurate, as they seem to skew toward the higher end), it would cost me around $270 to get them all, not including tax. No way.

I love this version of sudoku! Overlapping squares is creative! It is fun to match squares that are outside the overlapping areas. The number pads are easy to switch from ‘pen’ to ‘pencil’ mode and you can press and hold one number to put it in multiple squares...great feature. I like to check my work for errors periodically and you can adjust settings. I also like that there aren’t any adds to interrupt play/focus time.

Very focusing and relaxing game. Easy to use — intuitive. I do wish there was an option to provide hints rather than having to solve the whole puzzle when stuck. I also wish the solved puzzle didn’t become so tiny as to be hard to read. When I get stuck, I solve the the puzzle, then memorize a few of the blocks, then unsolve the puzzle so I can start over again with a few more blocks filled in. Hints would alleviate that issue.

All the free apps have a limited number of puzzles. You can’t tell when you’re repeating until you start to recognize the patterns. They also have a limited number of capabilities. This app has everything. All the ways you want to play and a list of the puzzles. There are lots of free ones and more you can pay for. I’m happy to pay for quality apps.