Item: Arrow Sudoku
Rating: 85
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

85/100

Arrow Sudoku is a brilliant evolution of the classic number puzzle, and this specific implementation is the gold standard for fans of the genre. For those who find standard Sudoku a bit repetitive, the 'Arrow' variant adds a fascinating layer of arithmetic logic: the number in a circle must equal the sum of the numbers along its attached arrow. It transforms a logic game into a math-based scavenger hunt.

The UI is clearly designed by people who actually play Sudoku. The note-taking tools are intuitive, and the app's clean, minimalist look prevents eye strain during long sessions. The difficulty levels are perfectly tiered—'Easy' serves as a great introduction to the arrow mechanic, while 'Expert' will challenge even the most seasoned Sudoku grandmasters. It is a deep, intellectual experience that is both meditative and genuinely challenging.

Reviewed on: Fri Feb 27 2026

Dinsun Review

This is what I’m talking about. It’s not a 'game' in the flashy sense, but it’s a proper mental exercise. Arrow Sudoku takes a foundational puzzle and adds a meaningful constraint that completely changes how you look at the grid. The math requirement adds a nice layer of deduction that standard Sudoku lacks.

The interface is clean and utilitarian—no flashing lights or stickmen racing. It respects the player. My only gripe is that it’s purely for the niche crowd. If you don't already like Sudoku, this isn't going to convert you. It’s dry, it’s hard, and it’s unapologetically intellectual. A solid tool for the brain, even if it won't win any awards for 'fun' in the traditional sense.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Deeply challenging logic puzzles
No-nonsense, clean interface
Great for mental stimulation

Extremely steep learning curve
Visually clinical
Narrow appeal

Technical Report

Performance: Perfectly stable; extremely low battery drain.

Accessibility:

Note-taking mode
Error highlighting

Audience Fit

Buy if: You find standard Sudoku too easy and enjoy mental arithmetic.

Skip if: You want entertainment that involves more than looking at numbers.

Similar Games:

Killer Sudoku
Logic Wiz

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun
Hardware: iPhone 15 Pro
Playtime: 5 hours
Status: Completed 50 Expert puzzles

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

1568407537

$4.99 4+★4.8 45 reviews

Author : Nick Carney

Pubish Date : Fri May 21 2021

Last Update Date : Thu May 12 2022

Support Languages : English

Genres :

Version 1.1Thu May 12 2022

60 new puzzles!
Presented by Cracking The Cryptic, YouTube’s most popular Sudoku channel, comes a new game based on our frequently requested variant: Arrow Sudoku.
In Arrow Sudoku, every puzzle contains a handful of "arrows" laid out in unique patterns. The numbers found along the shaft of the arrow must sum up to the number at the base. This simple rule leads to endless variety in the puzzles you will conquer. Fans of our previous game Miracle Sudoku will enjoy the hybrid puzzles we have included in the collection including Arrow Knight and Arrow Sandwich puzzles. These puzzles were curated by Mark and Simon and include puzzles made by them as well as from a large number of guest creators. Fans of Cracking the Cryptic's YouTube channel will recognize many of these authors as some of the most talented creators working today!
In Cracking The Cryptic’s games, players start with zero stars and earn stars by solving puzzles. The more puzzles you solve, the more stars you earn and the more puzzles you get to play. Only the most dedicated (and cleverest) sudoku players will finish all the puzzles. Of course the difficulty is carefully calibrated to ensure lots of puzzles at every level (from easy through to extreme). Anyone familiar with their YouTube channel will know that Simon and Mark take pride in teaching viewers to be better solvers and, in these games, they always craft the puzzles with the mindset of trying to help solvers improve their skills.
Mark and Simon have both represented the UK many times at the World Sudoku Championship and you can find more of their puzzles (and lots of others) on the internet’s biggest sudoku channel Cracking The Cryptic.
Features:
100 beautiful arrow puzzles by Simon, Mark and guests from their channel
Requires iOS 11.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Presented by Cracking The Cryptic, YouTube’s most popular Sudoku channel, comes a new game based on our frequently requested variant: Arrow Sudoku.
In Arrow Sudoku, every puzzle contains a handful of "arrows" laid out in unique patterns. The numbers found along the shaft of the arrow must sum up to the number at the base. This simple rule leads to endless variety in the puzzles you will conquer. Fans of our previous game Miracle Sudoku will enjoy the hybrid puzzles we have included in the collection including Arrow Knight and Arrow Sandwich puzzles. These puzzles were curated by Mark and Simon and include puzzles made by them as well as from a large number of guest creators. Fans of Cracking the Cryptic's YouTube channel will recognize many of these authors as some of the most talented creators working today!
In Cracking The Cryptic’s games, players start with zero stars and earn stars by solving puzzles. The more puzzles you solve, the more stars you earn and the more puzzles you get to play. Only the most dedicated (and cleverest) sudoku players will finish all the puzzles. Of course the difficulty is carefully calibrated to ensure lots of puzzles at every level (from easy through to extreme). Anyone familiar with their YouTube channel will know that Simon and Mark take pride in teaching viewers to be better solvers and, in these games, they always craft the puzzles with the mindset of trying to help solvers improve their skills.
Mark and Simon have both represented the UK many times at the World Sudoku Championship and you can find more of their puzzles (and lots of others) on the internet’s biggest sudoku channel Cracking The Cryptic.
Features:
100 beautiful arrow puzzles by Simon, Mark and guests from their channel

Ratings & Reviews

4.8 out of 5 with 45 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 4+

Arrow Sudoku brings a fresh and mathematical challenge to the world's most popular number puzzle. Along with traditional Sudoku rules, each puzzle features circles with arrows. The digit in the circle is the sum of the digits along the arrow's path. With thousands of levels, daily challenges, and a smart hint system, it’s a perfect blend of arithmetic and logic for puzzle enthusiasts of all levels.

Features

Thousands of unique Arrow Sudoku levels

Intuitive note-taking and auto-check tools

Daily challenges with unique trophies

Beautifully clean and dark-mode compatible UI

Tips

Small Arrow Strategy

Look for arrows with 3 or more cells. If the circle is a '6', the arrow cells can only contain 1, 2, and 3. Narrowing down these small-sum combinations early is the key to cracking the harder grids.

Gameplays

The 'Overlapping' Logic

Pay attention to where arrows cross or share a block. If two arrows share a cell, that cell must satisfy the sum requirements for both circles simultaneously, often leaving only one possible digit.