Catdoku

Catdoku is a logic puzzle game based on Sudoku, but with colourful cats instead of numbers. This task seems simple: put the cats in the right spots on the board. But if you put one in the wrong position, an entire row, column or colour region becomes a jumble of clues.

The interesting thing about Catdoku is that you can't just look at individual cells. Each position is related to multiple rules at once, so placing one cat down can completely change how you view the rest of the board.

The Rules Of Catdoku

The rules of Catdoku don't involve numbers.

Each Catdoku board requires you to place exactly one cat in each row, each column, and each colored area. This is the foundation of the entire puzzle.

But the game also adds a rather mischievous rule called the Aloof Rule. Two cats cannot be next to each other, even if they only touch diagonally.

This adds still another layer of reasoning. Placing a cat in a cell means that the rest of the cells in that row and column are removed, and the cells around it become banned places.

Use Clues Instead Of Guesswork

Don't rush to place a cat without enough clues.

Catdoku doesn't reward guesswork. A more effective approach is to continuously narrow down the options.

• Start with colored areas that have few empty cells.
• When an area only has a few possible positions left, finding the required cell is usually easier.
• Then, check the corresponding row and column to see if that choice eliminates any more positions.

X marks are also very useful. You can use them to mark cells that definitely cannot hold a cat, avoiding having to double-check the same information multiple times.

Increasing Board Complexity

The larger the board, the more complicated the reasoning.

Smaller Catdoku boards are suitable for getting familiar with how rows, columns, colored areas, and the Aloof Rule work. As the board size increases, the colored areas become more complex in shape, and a decision at a corner of the board can affect many positions on the opposite side.

The game also features daily challenges, adding new levels for those who like to maintain a daily puzzle-solving routine.

Simple Controls

Simple controls, no thinking required:

• Click: Place an X in the square.
• Double-click: Place the cat.
• Click again: Clear the current selection.

The minimalist controls allow you to focus almost entirely on logic. Catdoku thus creates a pleasant contrast: adorable images and soft colors, but beneath the surface lies an elimination problem requiring precision.