SUMOO is a slider-block Sokoban puzzle that asks players to solve maths problems and then slide the answer into a grid goal. Maths and slider controls? Two of my personal kryptonites in one game? I went into SUMOO with a little bit of concern, but I was delighted by how succinct and varied the gameplay and puzzles were. This is another gem in Steam’s fabled £1.79 range.
In SUMOO, when you move in any of the four compass directions, every numbered block slides in that direction until it hits something. If two or more numbered blocks collide, they’ll merge into one block with the total number on it. Some blocks are positive numbers, whilst some are negative, so a 4, a 3, and -2 would create a single 5 block. Using the sliding controls, you’ll need to slide a block that matches the number on the goal into the goal to pass the level. Initially, SUMOO plays like a less rigid 2048, but across its 100 levels, it introduces new mechanics to consider for every set of ten levels.
Once positive and negative numbers are introduced, you’ll have other sliding blocks that can be used as temporary sliding walls. These are helpful to push blocks into a goal that is one block away from a wall edge. Portals warp blocks back and forth through them. Pits will gobble up the first block that slides into them, and then the pit vanishes, leaving a clear path for future blocks. One way blocks must be travelled through in a specific direction, but they are also used as sneaky walls if you hit them from a different direction. SUMOO then adds in sticky floors, divider floors, and multiplier floors to add in some late-game tactics and additional math considerations, too. Whilst each set of levels focuses on the new addition, other mechanics will reoccur often, usually in sets of two or three. SUMOO’s single-screen level approach means it never gets too convoluted, and I think that makes the game approachable and easy to understand the end goal.
Approachability carries through the whole of the game design. There is an undo button and a level restart button. Hints are progressive and dynamic, highlighting what the next best move could be, and telling you if and when a level is unwinnable. Players determine how much they want to lean on the hint system, but you can also just unlock all the levels if you get stuck on a level and want to carry on and return to it. I love the game’s granular approach to support and quality-of-life features. Graphically and sonically, SUMOO is minimalist, but it works well. A dark mode is available as a toggle at all times.
I had fun ripping through the 100 levels. It’ll take a couple of hours to complete for most gamers. If you are a pro at slider puzzles, you could perhaps smash through it in 90 minutes. SUMOO is a great addition to the budget Steam puzzle game tier, and if you enjoy trying out these clever, minimalist £1.79 games, SUMOO is well worth a buy.
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