What Is Sokoban?
Sokoban was created by Hiroyuki Imabayashi in 1981 and commercially released by Thinking Rabbit in 1982. The Japanese name means warehouse keeper, which describes the whole game: push boxes onto storage targets. You can push a box, but you cannot pull it. That single restriction creates deadlocks, corridors, and planning puzzles that can stump even experienced players. The challenge is spatial foresight. Start by identifying storage goals, then move each box without trapping it.
How to Play Sokoban
- Move the worker around the warehouse grid.
- Push boxes one square at a time.
- Place every box onto a target square.
- Avoid pushing boxes into corners unless the corner is a target.
- Use open space to reposition before pushing.
- Win when all boxes sit on targets.
Basic Rules
- The worker can move through empty floor spaces.
- The worker can push one box at a time.
- Boxes cannot be pulled.
- Boxes cannot move through walls or other boxes.
- Targets mark where boxes must finish.
- A puzzle becomes unsolvable if a box is trapped away from a target.
Strategy Tips for Beginners
- Check for dead corners before pushing. A box in a non-target corner usually ends the puzzle.
- Work backward from targets. Ask where each box must stand before its final push.
- Keep pathways open for the worker. A correct box position can still block access.
- Move boxes in the order that frees space, not the order they appear near targets.
- Avoid pushing boxes against walls unless that wall leads directly to a target lane.
Real Examples of Gameplay
Corner Deadlock
A box pushed into the upper-left wall corner cannot be pulled out. If that square is not a target, restart or undo.
Target Lane
A target sits at the end of a narrow hallway. Push the box into the hallway only when it is aligned for the final push.
Access First
Two boxes sit side by side. Move the outer box first so the worker can still reach the inner box's pushing side.
Variations of Sokoban
- Sliding Puzzle: Another movement puzzle, but tiles slide into order rather than boxes onto targets.
- 15 Puzzle: Uses an empty space to reorder numbered tiles.
- Microban: A well-known Sokoban level collection with compact training puzzles.
Why People Love Sokoban
- The rules are tiny but the planning is deep.
- Every push feels permanent enough to matter.
- Levels teach spatial thinking and deadlock awareness.
- Solving a tight warehouse gives a strong payoff.
Play Sokoban Online for Free
Play Sokoban online for free. Push boxes, avoid deadlocks, and plan from the targets backward. Use restarts as part of learning: each failed push teaches a safer route.
Comparison
| Version | Difficulty | Players | Typical Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Sokoban | Easy | 1 | 5 to 10 min |
| Standard Sokoban | Medium | 1 | 10 to 25 min |
| Hard Sokoban | Hard | 1 | 20 to 45 min |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you pull boxes in Sokoban?
No. You can only push boxes, which is why deadlocks matter.
What is a deadlock?
A deadlock is a position where a box can no longer reach any target.
Who created Sokoban?
Hiroyuki Imabayashi created the first version in 1981, and Thinking Rabbit released it commercially in 1982.
Start Playing Now
Sokoban is a warehouse puzzle about restraint. Push less, plan more, and keep every box away from dead corners unless that square is a target.