Sokoban

People often say that the best things in life are free. So, by that rationale, something as mundane as a free drinks straw from McDonald's should have them leaping with joy and lead us to world peace.

Yeah, right.

We're much happier with the concept that simplicity is the true path to happiness. Which perhaps explains why Sokoban, a straightforward game based on the Japanese puzzler from the '80s, has caught our eye. And why, as it happens, it isn't free.

The idea behind the Sokoban (which is actually Japanese for warehouse keeper) couldn't be more basic, really: you must move wooden boxes around a single screen, maze-like environment, and these must be placed over designated points in order to proceed to the next level.

The key impediments to this task is that you can only push the boxes; you can't pull them and you certainly can't lift them. You've also a limited number of movements per screen. This means you have to carefully plan the correct strategy of moving each individual box. For example, you might have to push one a few paces forwards, then run around the other side and push it from the other direction – whatever it takes to get the box to the required area without getting it stuck before you get there.

Control is via your phone's thumb stick or the traditional '2', '4', '6' and '8' button layout, which is all you need to move your little avatar around the levels while trying to complete stages without exceeding the step-count displayed in the top-right of the screen. That's all there is to it, really.

A generous 48 levels await and their complexity obviously increases progressively, with more boxes thrown into the equation. Cleverly, as the levels get larger the viewpoint zooms further out, so although there's more to get through, the playing area remains visible on one screen.

You're hardly looking at the Mona Lisa, but the graphics have at least been updated from the original and they're both clear and suitably functional. More impressive is the original music, which while not exactly displaying Mozart-like brilliance is at least of a high standard and suited to the nature of the game.

And this is a decent puzzle game, providing a tough challenge that should keep most gripped. Its straightforward dynamic will appeal both to fans of the genre and a more general audience, and while it's unlikely to guarantee long-term happiness it can at least assure several enjoyable hours.