Summary
- Release Year: 1990
- Genres: Puzzle
- Platforms: Sega Game Gear
- Publishers: Riverhillsoft
Sokoban (1990): The Warehouse Puzzle Classic
Sokoban is a puzzle game developed by Hiroyuki Imabayashi and released in 1990 for the NEC PC-8801 personal computer. The game’s objective is to push crates around a warehouse until they are all stacked in designated goal squares. Sokoban is a simple game to learn, but it can be very challenging to master.
The player controls a character who can move up, down, left, and right. The player can also push crates in the same four directions. Crates can only be pushed, not pulled, and they cannot be pushed into walls or other crates.
The goal of each level is to push all of the crates into the goal squares. The player must carefully plan their moves, as it is easy to get stuck if they make a mistake.
Sokoban has been praised for its simple but addictive gameplay. The game is also known for its challenging puzzles, which can take hours or even days to solve.
Sokoban has been ported to many different platforms over the years, including the NES, Game Boy, and PlayStation. The game has also been released on mobile devices and online.
Gameplay
The player controls a character who can move up, down, left, and right. The player can also push crates in the same four directions. Crates can only be pushed, not pulled, and they cannot be pushed into walls or other crates.
The goal of each level is to push all of the crates into the goal squares. The player must carefully plan their moves, as it is easy to get stuck if they make a mistake.
Sokoban levels are typically made up of a grid of squares. The squares can be empty, contain crates, or contain goal squares. The player must push the crates around the grid until they are all in the goal squares.
There are many different types of Sokoban puzzles. Some puzzles are simple and can be solved in a few moves. Other puzzles are very complex and can take hours or even days to solve.
History
Sokoban was developed by Hiroyuki Imabayashi and released in 1990 for the NEC PC-8801 personal computer. The game was originally called倉庫番 (Soko-ban), which means “warehouse keeper” in Japanese.
Sokoban was inspired by a puzzle game called倉庫番 (Soko-ban) that was published in a Japanese magazine in 1981. Imabayashi’s version of the game added several new features, including the ability to push multiple crates at once.
Sokoban quickly became a popular game in Japan. The game was ported to many different platforms over the years, including the NES, Game Boy, and PlayStation. The game has also been released on mobile devices and online.
Legacy
Sokoban is a classic puzzle game that has been enjoyed by millions of people around the world. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay has made it a popular choice for both casual and hardcore gamers.
Sokoban has also been used as a testbed for artificial intelligence research. In 2011, a team of researchers at the University of Alberta developed an AI program that could solve Sokoban puzzles faster than any human player.
Sokoban continues to be a popular game today. The game is available on a wide variety of platforms, and there are many online communities where players can share puzzles and strategies.
Tips for Playing Sokoban
Here are a few tips for playing Sokoban:
- Plan your moves carefully. It is easy to get stuck if you make a mistake.
- Try to avoid pushing crates into corners. It can be difficult to get them out of corners once they are there.
- If you get stuck, try to backtrack and see if you can find a different way to solve the puzzle.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. There is often more than one way to solve a Sokoban puzzle.
Conclusion
Sokoban is a classic puzzle game that is still enjoyed by millions of people around the world. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay has made it a popular choice for both casual and hardcore gamers. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding puzzle game, then Sokoban is definitely worth checking out.
Review Score
9/10
