Killer Sudoku CTC

Killer sudoku is my favorite sudoku variant, and when I heard Cracking the Cryptic was releasing their own app, I was thrilled. As with their other apps, every single puzzle is hand-crafted and tested, and the creators themselves have written a series of hints for each puzzle that not only help you find the next step if you’re stuck but actually teach you techniques to improve your skills. Every puzzle in this app is absolutely extraordinary. They’ve been constructed by some of the world’s best setters. This is NOT your average killer sudoku. The logic involved is unique and exciting to find. Plus, the app has every feature I could ask for in a sudoku app: double notation, your choice of error-checking options, the ability to highlight and color, undo and redo. And specific to killer, it will add up cage totals for you, and it gives a list of all possible combinations for a given cage, and has a calculator for you to test other combinations. It’s a magnificent app, and well worth the $5. My only real complaint is the occasional typo in the hints, but it hardly mars the overall experience. Also, if there were a way to view the hint and the grid at the same time, that would be helpful.

I never take the time to write reviews for apps, because there is usually not enough motivation for me to. However, there are so many great things about this app that I felt this app deserves to be known for. The puzzles. These are not computer generated, run of the mill puzzles. There is always something very neat about puzzles set by a human, and the developer for this app knows that. The logic is always satisfying to discover. The challenge of the puzzles is also at a good level: for those who have never seen this sudoku variant before, it may be tough, but for those who have seen one or two solves, these puzzles (at least the first five or so) won’t kill you. A good way to get into them, I say. I know with this app that when I click on a puzzle, I will be getting an interesting logical stimulant that has a gorgeous solution. The design. This app is made by people that solve puzzles every day and love them. They know what feels good in a sudoku design and what doesn’t. The settings also allow you to choose how much of the note taking and number filling the computer does for you. No ads in sight (but that would be silly on a paid app). The cost. For the amount of work it takes to put together this level of a sudoku app, $5 is more than reasonable. It doesn’t hurt that these developers are on round 6 of sudoku apps and know exactly what their consumers expect for five dollars. In short, there is no better killer sudoku app out there. This one is fresh and stimulating. This is the perfect gift for a holiday season, for yourself or for others. I cannot recommend it enough. Thank you, CTC!

I’ve been a big fan of the Cracking the Cryptic apps, and this one is the best iteration so far. The author line up is great with Christopher Seeliger leading off the puzzles. The killer cages are easily visible, and the themes are a good mix of colors. Like the Sandwich Sudoku app, there is a column to show possible combinations in cages for those of us who struggle with mental math. There are 40 puzzles to start, which I think will keep most solvers busy for a bit. The only downside was I was hoping there would be some little killer puzzles, but it doesn’t look like there are any. That’s a bit of a nitpick since that was never really promised, but it would have been fun to see since combo killer-little killers are quite fun. In case case, this is well worth the money. Another great addition to the CtC app collection.