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Sokoban

What Is Sokoban?

Sokoban is a puzzle video game where players take on the role of a warehouse worker tasked with moving boxes to specific storage locations. Designed by Hiroyuki Imabayashi in 1981 and first published by Thinking Rabbit in 1982, Sokoban introduced a gameplay mechanic that’s since inspired countless clones and variations.

How to Play Sokoban: Rules and Basics

The rules of Sokoban are straightforward, making it easy to pick up yet hard to master. Here’s what you need to know:

The Setup: Each level features a grid with walls, a player character (the warehouse keeper), boxes, and marked storage spots. The number of boxes matches the number of goals.
Movement: The player can move up, down, left, or right into empty squares but can’t pass through walls or boxes.
Pushing Boxes: To move a box, the player must push it by walking into it. The box slides one square in the direction you’re facing—if the next square is empty.
Restrictions: You can only push one box at a time, and you can’t pull boxes. If a box gets stuck in a corner or against a wall with no way out, you may need to restart.
Goal: The puzzle is solved when every box is pushed onto a storage spot.

Sounds simple, right? The real challenge comes from planning your moves to avoid deadlocks—situations where a box can’t be moved to its target anymore. This strategic depth is what keeps players hooked.

Final Thoughts

Sokoban is more than a game—it’s a mental adventure that rewards patience, creativity, and persistence. Whether you’re solving the original 1982 levels or exploring modern remakes, its charm lies in turning a simple warehouse into a playground for your mind.