Gary Games has released an app of their popular deck-building board game. Players familiar with its physical counterpart will feel right at home while playing this handy, hand-held version. Those not familiar with the game will still get immense amounts of enjoyment out of playing this fun, easy-to-pick-up game.
The game has the same rules as those in the board game itself, so if you have played the game before, you are free to skip over the tutorial offered when you first start up the app. If you do not know the rules, however, the tutorial does a thorough job of explaining the objectives of the game, the purpose of the cards, and how to win the game through a practice round against a CPU opponent. The tutorial even offers some helpful hints on how to develop an effective strategy based on the cards your opponent picks up.
One advantage the app has over the actual game is that all the set-up, rules, and card details are managed by the game itself. You no longer need to worry about misplaying a card, or misinterpretation of the rules. A border around a card during game play means that it can be used, purchased, or banished, no border means it can’t.
The app can be played offline against a computer or online against a real opponent. If you choose to play offline, you can choose between two difficulties for the computer opponent. There is a huge disparity between the difficulties of these two settings, and is the one real downfall of this game. The lower of the two settings makes winning against the CPU almost a guarantee, while the higher difficulty makes it near impossible to win and this lack of middle ground can be frustrating at times. Playing against real opponents in the online mode offers more variety as actual people offer more varied strategies for you to play against than what a computer opponent can provide.
Depending on the skill of your opponent and your own familiarity with the game, the matches usually last between 15-20 minutes. This app provides a short diversion while on transit to work or school, or just a fun waste of time activity if you are bored and looking for something to do. Definitely well worth the price it is offered for.
