And yes, I did feel the need to cheat because I was too impatient to realise that there was a far easier way of getting the ‘Too Fast’ achievement.  In order to solve the puzzle in the stupid time limit and after many obscenities, I cunningly switched tactics.  I used my digital camera to photograph the grid off the telly.  I then paused the game so that I could work it out on paper and then un-pause and input the answers.  And I still couldn’t get them all in in time.  After several attempts and an embarrassing explanation when the o/h asked just what the hell I was doing, I realised I could simply switch to the advanced fast controls and use the auto-pencil thing.  All this for 20 gamer points.

Sad though it may be, I was very chuffed with myself -  until the dark cloud started to spread when I thought of the tuts about cheating that I had levied at my father.  The man that got me into gaming with my first Speccy and a copy of Booty and Chuckie Egg, sadly rarely ever games any more, but when he does, he may as well not.  He is utterly shameless.

My case in point: after much convincing and nagging, I persuaded him to play Commandos for the PC – a game I love and have been playing on and off for years and years, but never completed due to save game errors, lost files, computer changes, and bone-idleness.  “Give it a go”, I said, you’ll love it.  “It’s quite hard”, I told him, but it’s war stuff and you can cut people’s throats and hide in the snow etc.  Interest was piqued and he grudgingly relented.  I sat back and smiled at the sounds of gunfire and various ‘Guten Tags’ emanating from his room for several evenings before deciding to see how he was getting on.

Me - “How you doing?”
Him - “I’m on that level where you have to assassinate that bloke.”  I freeze.
Me - “Erm…what?!”
Him - “Yeah, it’s a bit of a bastard.”

That’s the level I’m on.  Me.  After years of on/off play.  How could this be? I panic.  He isn’t even much of a gamer and has the attention span of a concussed goldfish.  Like discovering a squishy blister, I just couldn’t leave it alone.

Me - “How the hell did you manage to get that far.”  I try to hide my incredulity.  Am I such a crap gamer that he is outstripping me?
Him - “I used a cheat that gave me infinite sniper bullets.”  He announces, supremely pleased with himself.  I nearly choke.
Me - “What?  But you can’t do that!  It’s cheating.”
Him - “Well I did.”
Me - “But it’s cheating.”
Him - “So?” Looks more pleased.

I don’t believe him.  I shake my head and walk away, suddenly remembering why I don’t buy him games anymore.  I’d never do anything like that, I puff to myself. I feel slightly miffed that the strategising required had been so gleefully trampled over and that he was so chuffed with himself.  So was I the other night though, and there lies the rub.

Commandos doesn’t have gamerpoints and those twisted little numbers do strange things to the lines we have drawn for ourselves sometimes.  Clutching my camera in my fist two nights ago, surrounded by scribbled grids, and trying to solve the last few numbers on Buku Sudoko, I suddenly realised…I am just like him.  A dirty cheater.  But wait…no, hang on.  No, I won’t and can’t accept that.  Innovator.  Yes, a dirty innovator.  I still hold myself away from his level by a desperate thread though, so I guess that makes me a hypocrite too.

Sudoku is one of those things which has crept from the sensible, inky pages of the morning papers where it nestled beside crosswords and quizzes, and slowly permeated into the world of console games.  After appearing on the more obvious formats such as the DS, it arrives rather demurely on XBLA in the form of the solid Buku Sudoku.

Control with a pad was always going to be interesting, especially given rival systems’ more natural methods which aped the chewed biro scribblings of ‘hardcopy puzzling’ with ease.  However, while relying on thumbsticks and triggers as opposed to a stylus could lead to a potentially game killing problem, Buku Sudoku carefully avoids this pothole with intuitive , easy controls which, after a grid or three, will become second nature.

The easy grid...ideal for knackered gaming or grinding points

A pleasing desk themed interface sets the mood, carrying through to friend’s leaderboards, personal stats, and game options.  The ambient music and sound effects (while oddly loud) , help make this one of those relaxing games for when you just can’t be bothered slinging on your assault rifle or stamping on Koopas.

While not a challenge of endurance or dexterity, the game is naturally, being a puzzler, not without its difficulties, though these are entirely of the player’s making, rather than obtuse gameplay.  A range of difficulty settings and modes, such as timed play, combined with a choice of grid sizes ranging from the baby blocks of a 6 number grid to a head-spinning 12, will ensure that there is something to suit even the most vanilla puzzler as well as those with more masochistic tastes.

Standard nine by nine for Sudoku traditionalists

Multiplayer is straightforward enough, providing team battles and head to head for competitive matches and a co-op mode for puzzling with friends on the same grid.  The ability to jump into a quick match or customise and create one is always welcome, but finding anyone with whom to knock down the multiplayer achievements may be a tall order.

Arguably, what is really a lone pursuit should not have come with multiplayer achievements shoehorned in, especially considering its likely narrow market, and this is one of the game’s main failings.  Additional content in the form of extra puzzles is available to download, though arguably, it would be hard to see any player running out or noticing any repeated grids unless they were a diehard puzzler.  Aside from the niggle of multiplayer achievements for a game such as this, there isn’t a great deal to complain about, but on the other hand, there isn’t a lot to shout about either.  It is simply Sudoku, albeit in pretty duds, and if that is all you want, then this shouldn’t disappoint.

Summary

Overall, Buku Sudoku is a well presented, solid puzzle game with easy controls and an attractive interface.  It offers a welcome diversion from the rigours of more dramatic titles on XBLA, making it ideal for passing time or simply winding down.  While it won’t set your world alight, it will compliment your cocoa and fluffy slippers and you can’t say fairer than that.