Full SudoPocket Pocket PC Freeware Review
SudoPocket 1.4 by Lucio Farrao seemed to be a promising Pocket PC Sudoku freeware download. It's easy to get carried away by the hype until subjecting these downloads to closer scrutiny. SudoPocket was touted as having advanced sudoku techniques, a painless user interface and many hours of pleasure. If you're looking for at least two out of three, you'd be better off reading my SuperDoku freeware review as it is decidedly the better free download. InstallationInstallation was relatively painless. Just ensure that your Pocket PC's Microsoft .NET Compact Framework is up to date, or you'll get an error message. For the non-propeller heads, it's essentially an updated set of libraries or development subprograms for your Pocket PC operating system. You can find the link to the .NET Compact Framework 2.0 Redistributable here on Microsoft's site you'd rather not troll the internet hunting for the download. That was when I started thinking that maybe this wasn't the average Pocket PC freeware download. It was using the newer .NET libraries, so why not? Display
The Pocket PC Sudoku grid in SudoPocket is visually only marginally better than some of the paid Sudoku software floating around out there.It's a bit stark, but it's good. Pencil-marks are easily distinguishable, and numerals stand out and are clearly defined. GameplayThe gameplay was a bit of a letdown, but I could see the reason for the massive download numbers in the first place with its enticing product description. I'm not one to look a Sudoku freeware gift-horse in the mouth, but the interface is unbelievably awkward. Especially when compared to other freeware, much less paid software. Clicking your stylus on the small number on the lower right hand corner or moving your Pocket PC's D-Pad will increment the number. After the appropriate number is chosen, you click on the relevant cell as usual. The irksome factor went up a notch when I realized that the number does not appear in the cell if it's not correct. By the same token, the Undo and Redo features are merely decorative. If you always know that the correct number is in the grid there's not much point to this. Not to mention that generating a new board on Hard difficulty takes six to eight seconds on my Dell Axim x51v. 
This was reminiscent of the Sudoku Rules! board generation time, except this took longer. A bit strange considering that my Axim has a meaty processing punch of 624 MHz. This may not bode well for PDA owners with significantly slower processors. The bigger disappointment was the complete absence of any kind of hint engine, which I've come to expect even in free Pocket PC Sudoku downloads. SudoPocket comes with five levels from Very Easy to Hard. You can check out this download on the PocketGear site if you're interested. ConclusionsIf you're a simple Sudokuist, this no-frills PPC download will suit your needs. If you'd like hint engine with an advanced feature set you may want to opt for another freeware version instead. My other Pocket PC Sudoku download reviews in addition to SudoPocket will provide insight on features to look for in quality downloads. PDAGameGuide.com Rating: 3.4 out of 5
|