Sumico

Genre: Puzzle

Players: 1

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Review:

Sumico is a family-friendly Puzzle game released on mobile devices in 2014 and ported to PC and Nintendo 3DS in 2015. In this game, players use the touchscreen to trace a path through a hexagonal grid full of numbers and mathematical operators (plus, minus, etc.) to try to create a mathematical equation matching a specific goal number. So if grade school math frightens or bores you, this game probably won’t be for you.

The presentation in this game is simple, but not bad, with a clean visual style that makes the numbers easy to read with highlight colors to let you know if the path you’re making is feasible, all backed by a relaxed instrumental soundtrack that works well for this sort of game.

When it comes to the gameplay, this game does a good job of providing a simple premise but giving players a lot of options to reach their goal. Players can combine any series of numbers and operators as long as they make sense (no two numbers or operators in a row), as long as they don’t produce a fraction, and as long as they don’t produce a number too high or too low. But zero and negative numbers are completely acceptable and, in fact, required in some stages.

The game offers both a stage-based mode and an endless mode, but unfortunately no multiplayer, and players are even offered the opportunity to change how order of operations works between standard and calculator-style.

Do I find the gameplay here compelling? Yes, but I like math puzzles, and this is definitely a game to test your math skills. I recognize that not everyone will enjoy this sort of thing. On the other hand, parents looking for a good educational game for youngsters to get them thinking about math should definitely give this one a look. Of course, in that case, you may be better off just getting this game on your smartphone, but with the Nintendo 3DS version of the game priced at $3, this is still a pretty good deal on an enjoyable math-based Puzzle game.

tl;dr – Sumico is a family-friendly Puzzle game where players use the touchscreen to trace a path through a hexagonal grid full of numbers and mathematical operators (plus, minus, etc.). While those with a distaste for math may turn their nose up at this game, and those who game on their smartphones may find that version of the game more attractive, this is nevertheless a solid Puzzle game, and the $3 price tag is a good deal. At least, if you’re not afraid of a little grade school math.

Grade: B-

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