[iOS/MOBILE] Boardgame Adaptations Catch-all

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OK... I'm tired of crossposting every boardgame announcement to the separate iPhone, iPad, and Boardgaming threads. Not sure if this thread will catch on, but I figure I might as well give it a shot.

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In the last few days, we've seen the release of:

Penny Arcade The Game: Gamers vs. Evil
(By Playdek, Inc.)

Down your Bat Milk, clean off your Cardboard Tube and charge into battle astride your Magical Unicorn Starsong; for evil is a foot with 6 toes…

Introducing Penny Arcade The Game: Gamers vs. Evil for iOS from Playdek and Cryptozoic Entertainment! This digital deck-building card game featuring classic Penny Arcade characters from the popular web comic, lets the player engage as Gabe, Tycho, or one of their dauntless allies in an epic battle against Evil! Your path is beset by foes like Dark Tycho, the infamous and infectious cauldron of disease PAX Pox and other Evils that stand in your way of becoming the Master Gamer! With 3 modes of play to choose from; play online with full asynchronous support, play locally against other would be masters, or AI opponents, the descent into madness that is Penny Arcade The Game: Gamers vs. Evil brings rabid rapture to the iOS.

HIGHLIGHTS
•Offline and Online play
•Online Rematch option – There is no grace in defeat!
•Next Game button to allow you to move between multiple Online games when it’s your turn to play
•Human and AI opponents
•Game Center achievements
•Universal App – play on all your compatible iOS devices

FEATURES
•2-4 players
•Single player vs AI
•Pass-and-play Multiplayer
•Full asynchronous support for multiplayer online games
•Invite Game Center friends to online games
•Maintain multiple Saved games
•Online game timers
•Online player stats
•Card Gallery- See Faerie Candymancer in all of her splendor!
•Introductory Tutorial-To Penny Arcade, not Shucking
•Rule Book

IMAGE(http://a487.phobos.apple.com/us/r1000/080/Purple/v4/f3/3b/92/f33b9288-3ba1-b125-3320-fd54c060942a/mzl.gzdgrynp.320x480-75.jpg)

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/penn...

Here's a video review of the original game--

A review of the app from another thread:

Aristophan wrote:
Natus wrote:
SommerMatt wrote:

Playdek just released the PENNY ARCADE deckbuilding game on iOS.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/penn...

$4.99.

oh dear.

Please post reviews!

Thumbs up.

I've never played the game before, but the tutorial did a good job explaining things. It is a deck building game with two resources (like Ascension) where you are buying one or more cards from several piles (like Dominion). There are also two "bosses" to fight, requiring 8 or more of one of the two resources to defeat. They reward powerful cards, and fully defeating one of the bosses is one of the end conditions (the other being depleting 6 of the decks). There is some interaction with "PVP" cards, and you begin with a character who has a special ability. There looks to be many cards available for the starting decks (you can view them all in game) which adds to replayability.

The program by Playdek is superb. It basically plays like Ascention, which is probably enough praise. You can play two to four players, with AI (3 levels) and/or humans. There is also ascynchronus multiplayer, which I haven't tried yet.

What may be make or break to you is the license. I enjoy Penny Arcade, so I enjoyed the theme. For example, the curse card in the game is called "PAX Pox," and many cards reference specific comics. The cards also have some unique audio cues (very short) and the music is chip tune like. If you hate Penny Arcade, you may not be able to look past the theme. However, many people were able to look past the art of Ascention, so your mileage may vary.

Overall, I'm very pleased. Consider yourselves enabled.

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Also released this week:

D-DAY DICE

Chaz wrote:

D-Day Dice just got a surprise release for ipad at $4. Might be solo only, but that's all I usually wind up playing anyway.

Sadly, it looks like this was an early release and has since been pulled from the AppStore.

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Carcassonne: Traders & Builders Available Now

The Coding Monkeys have just updated their universally acclaimed version of Carcassonne for iOS to version 3.00. What does that mean to you, our loyal reader? Well, the biggest addition is that the Traders & Builders expansion is now available as a $1.99USD IAP. They have also fixed some bugs and improved the reliability of push messages as well as making the scoring more approachable and user-friendly. Carcassonne is for iOS Universal, costs $9.99USD, and is available on the App Store.

Like I need another thread to enable me on iOS board game purchases that I haven't the time to play. Bad SommerMatt, bad!

I've picked up Gubs, Lost Cities, Plague, Caylus, Fluxx and Civ Rev on recent sales, plus the Penny Arcade game that just came out. I'm really trying to hold off on Battle of the Bulge and D-Day Dice for now, out of time constraints more than anything else. Heck, I still need to go back and learn Le Havre and Nightfall that I picked up months ago!

This is a great idea SommerMatt. I'll definitely be spending a lot of time here as I love me some IOS board games.

My two go-to places for news on IOS boardgaming are:
http://ipadboardgames.org/

and the Board game geek iOS news blog
http://boardgamegeek.com/blogcategor...

As for this week's releases: I'll be picking up the PA game, since I pretty much buy everything Playdek makes, but I just can't do Carcassone in VG style - the human interaction is the only thing that makes that game tolerable to me.

Well, if it makes you feel any better that D-DAY DICE app was released early and has since been pulled from the App Store

Any impressions on FLUXX?

Another good site, though not strictly 100% board games is Pocket Tactics

This thread might be good information: Top 30 Strategy Boardgame Ports To iOS Per BGG

SommerMatt wrote:

Well, if it makes you feel any better that D-DAY DICE app was released early and has since been pulled from the App Store

Any impressions on FLUXX?

That does make me feel a bit better

No impressions on Fluxx yet, other than it's pretty. I only got a little bit into the tutorial before my wife sent me an invite to an Ascension match. Once sidetracked, I've not had a chance to get back into it. Hope to do so this weekend, and I'll report back.

Teneman wrote:
SommerMatt wrote:

Well, if it makes you feel any better that D-DAY DICE app was released early and has since been pulled from the App Store

Any impressions on FLUXX?

That does make me feel a bit better

No impressions on Fluxx yet, other than it's pretty. I only got a little bit into the tutorial before my wife sent me an invite to an Ascension match. Once sidetracked, I've not had a chance to get back into it. Hope to do so this weekend, and I'll report back.

Well I just invited you and Shoptroll to a game. I need to get more people on my friend's list for more async goodness!!

Perhaps a silly question, but how are you drawing your category lines between "board game", "card game" and "computer game"?

Because some of the games mentioned above just don't fit into my mental library of board games. (Fluxx == card game, Civ Rev == computer game, for instance. And the Penny Arcade game is called a card game in its title!) On the other hand, perhaps drawing a distinction between board game/card game is kind of silly when it's all virtual.

I'd also love to see a GWJ favorites list in the original post.

Katy wrote:

Perhaps a silly question, but how are you drawing your category lines between "board game", "card game" and "computer game"?

Because some of the games mentioned above just don't fit into my mental library of board games. (Fluxx == card game, Civ Rev == computer game, for instance. And the Penny Arcade game is called a card game in its title!) On the other hand, perhaps drawing a distinction between board game/card game is kind of silly when it's all virtual.

I'd also love to see a GWJ favorites list in the original post.

In my mind anything that can be played table top - though then there are those games that are created in a style similar to table top games that aren't available in any physical form, so I'm no help I guess

Civ Rev doesn't really fit in the context of this thread.

I'm using the BOARDGAMEGEEK definition-- if BGG covers it, it counts as a "board game."

Deckbuilding games like Dominion, Ascension, Thunderstone, etc., although comprised mostly of cards, are generally considered a part of the "boardgaming" section.

A game like CIV4, though, not so much. Still, I don't want to get too specific. My point with this thread is simply to have a single place to post board/card game adaptation info.

Yeah, Civ Rev really doesn't fit. I threw it in as it is one of the games recently added to my virtual iOS pile, not because it's a board/card game.

Great idea for a thread!

Teneman wrote:

No impressions on Fluxx yet, other than it's pretty. I only got a little bit into the tutorial before my wife sent me an invite to an Ascension match. Once sidetracked, I've not had a chance to get back into it. Hope to do so this weekend, and I'll report back.

It's a really good adaptation. I'm not used to the cards in the most recent printing, but I managed to play someone random online and it was pretty smooth. The only thing that's weird is they use a horizontal orientation (vs. landscape which is used by almost... every game) and the notification sound is the same ding/gong noise as Ascension.

I think they adapted some of the cards to work better in an async environment. I thought in the physical if you had 4 keepers on the table and an opponent puts down a 3 Keeper Limit rule you had to immediately discard one of your keeper cards. That doesn't seem to be the case here where you only resolve Limits at the end of your turn.

It's also lacking Creeper cards which I thought were added to the base game in the most recent printing, but I'm not 100% sure of that.

Tagged, and +1 on this being a great idea! Would it make sense to expand the thread to cover Android as well?

I've started playing the Android port of Elder Sign as a pass and play co-op game with Alexis when we're on long train rides.

Tanglebones wrote:

Android port

Maybe it'd be appropriate to re-title the thread to "Mobile Boardgame Adaptations"?

Here's what's in my "Board Games" folder on iPad:

Ascension (just got it on sale, haven't tried it)
Blokus (good implementation)
New World Colony (seems good but couldn't get into it)
Ghost Stories (good implementation)
Hive Online (haven't tried it)
Le Havre (not perfect but worthwhile)
Lost Cities (good implementation)
Neuroshima Hex (haven't tried it)
Panda Tetsuki aka Go (good implementation)
Ra (seems okay)
Ticket to Ride (good)
Ticket to Ride Pocket (ironically better?)
Tigris & Euphrates (haven't tried it)
UNO (not perfect but worthwhile)

My wishlist:
Field Command
Lords of Waterdeep
Risk Legacy (would love to play but no regulars)
Lyssan
Dungeon Lords

I'm sure I'm forgetting some of my favorites that could be well ported.

shoptroll wrote:
Tanglebones wrote:

Android port

Maybe it'd be appropriate to re-title the thread to "Mobile Boardgame Adaptations"?

I'm not sure what I think about this.

On the one hand, I recognize that there are various boardgame apps on various other platforms... but 95% of them are coming out on iOS. I don't own an Android or Windows 8 device, so I'm not really concerned about those platforms and don't really need to see information about them. I'm also thinking most Android users don't want to see new posts in this thread where 95% of the content is aimed at other platforms. Wouldn't it be better to have separate threads for each platform?

I'll leave it up to you guys to weigh-in on how right or wrong I am in my thinking.

SommerMatt wrote:
shoptroll wrote:
Tanglebones wrote:

Android port

Maybe it'd be appropriate to re-title the thread to "Mobile Boardgame Adaptations"?

I'm not sure what I think about this.

On the one hand, I recognize that there are various boardgame apps on various other platforms... but 95% of them are coming out on iOS. I don't own an Android or Windows 8 device, so I'm not really concerned about those platforms and don't really need to see information about them. I'm also thinking most Android users don't want to see new posts in this thread where 95% of the content is aimed at other platforms. Wouldn't it be better to have separate threads for each platform?

I'll leave it up to you guys to weigh-in on how right or wrong I am in my thinking.

I'm very curious to see what goes on with iOS, since the state of the art right now is that it gets first shot at most board games, followed up with an occasional Android port. I really like the idea of a thread that's focused on mobile boardgaming, rather than segregating by platform, though.

Another one that came out this week:

Battle of the Bulge
By Shenandoah Studio

IMAGE(http://a68.phobos.apple.com/us/r1000/082/Purple/v4/76/83/37/76833703-7f66-7d9c-0c1f-183483da156e/mzl.cxggnohf.480x480-75.jpg)

Battle of the Bulge is a historical wargame, designed specifically for iPad. Award-winning designers, developers, and artists created this turn-based simulation in the spirit of traditional board wargames. Pieces represent actual military units fighting on the terrain of the famous WWII battle.
• Play three ways: online through Game Center; vs a computer opponent; or Pass & Play
• Fast turns, deep strategy
• Two scenarios: a quick, tense, fight in the opening days; and a campaign covering the entire battle
• Tutorial, quick start guide, and online strategy forums help players learn to play and to explore the game’s subtleties
• Extensive historical photos, film, and commentary
• Retina support
• First of a series of WWII titles by legendary designers: El Alamein, covering the decisive battle in North Africa, is in development for release in 2013.

“Battle of the Bulge is the most important iOS game yet. … This is the future of gaming that we were promised: sleek, elegant, and intelligent.” — Pocket Tactics

“a game of considerable majesty” — Gamezebo

Review from BGG:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/batt...

Tanglebones wrote:
SommerMatt wrote:
shoptroll wrote:
Tanglebones wrote:

Android port

Maybe it'd be appropriate to re-title the thread to "Mobile Boardgame Adaptations"?

I'm not sure what I think about this.

On the one hand, I recognize that there are various boardgame apps on various other platforms... but 95% of them are coming out on iOS. I don't own an Android or Windows 8 device, so I'm not really concerned about those platforms and don't really need to see information about them. I'm also thinking most Android users don't want to see new posts in this thread where 95% of the content is aimed at other platforms. Wouldn't it be better to have separate threads for each platform?

I'll leave it up to you guys to weigh-in on how right or wrong I am in my thinking.

I'm very curious to see what goes on with iOS, since the state of the art right now is that it gets first shot at most board games, followed up with an occasional Android port. I really like the idea of a thread that's focused on mobile boardgaming, rather than segregating by platform, though.

Likewise. Android is generally a subset of iOS in this domain, so we'll still be talking about the same games.

Yet another app released this past week... sadly iPhone only:

For The Win
By Tasty Minstrel Games

Get it now for the special launch price of $0.99 (until 1/3/13)!!!

As featured on IGN and Wired.com

"For the Win is a well polished package with an interesting and unusual game at its core." – Gamezebo
“It's a lovely implementation of a game I am absolutely terrible at.” – Rich Sommer
“If you like strategy board games, this is definitely worth the dollar download.” – AppAdvice
“Bottom line? For the Win is a lot of fun, and has much more depth than meets the eye.” – Purple Pawn

For the Win is a challenging puzzle/strategy game, the first from publisher Tasty Minstrel Games. You must use your wits to connect your wacky team of Monkeys, Pirates, Zombies, Ninjas, and Aliens before your opponents. This quick-playing game features simple rules but in-depth strategy. You can play with up to four friends or puzzle it out against challenging A.I. opponents. For the Win will provide hours of mind-bending gameplay. Are you ready to go For the Win?

Key Features:
- A quick tutorial to teach you how to play
- Challenging A.I. of different levels and play styles, for hours of single player brain-burning
- Built-in fullscreen support for iPhone 5
- Pass and play with up to 4 players on one device
- Game Center leaderboards to track your records and compete with friends
- Plenty of color and background customization options as well as avatars to unlock
- Quickplay shortcuts for advanced players make games quick and focused

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/for-...

IMAGE(http://a1776.phobos.apple.com/us/r1000/098/Purple/v4/4b/bc/f8/4bbcf803-708b-bb64-9821-ab9f2c385271/mzl.jughrgow.320x480-75.jpg)

Video review of the physical game:

I saw that one. I considered it, but decided to pass as it wasn't universal. I'm not sure that's fair, since I'm running a number of iPhone apps on 2x and they look fine. But since I've got such a backlog already, it makes an easy bright line test to weed something out.

While FTW is "iPhone" only, it still looks awesome at 2x stretch on my iPad 3.

Just snagged Penny Arcade: Gamers vs Evil today, and have had Ascension for a long while.

The rest of my Board Game folder includes:

Carcassonne
Ticket To Ride (with 1910 expansions)
Catan
BANG! HD
Summoner Wars

Teneman wrote:

I saw that one. I considered it, but decided to pass as it wasn't universal. I'm not sure that's fair, since I'm running a number of iPhone apps on 2x and they look fine. But since I've got such a backlog already, it makes an easy bright line test to weed something out.

When playing 2-player, FTW is a 10 minute game.

I've got the physical copy with the 4-player expansion, and have played with 3 people - that took about half an hour.

Ok, my board game and related folders:

-Ascension - love it
-Hive Online - haven't tried it
-Carcassone - barely played
-Catan HD - barely played
-Caylus - haven't tried it
-Chess
-Fluxx - haven't tried
-Gubs - love it
-Le Havre - haven't tried
-Lost Cities - current obsession
-Monopoly (it's for the wife, I swear!)
-Nightfall - haven't tried
-Plague Inc. (I think this is a board game adaptation, no?)
-Small World - barely played
-Summoner Wars - like it, but I stink
-Ticket to Ride (iPad) - love it
-Ticket to Ride:Europe (iPhone) - haven't tried
-Tigris & Euphrates - barely played
-Zombie Dice - quick time waster, MonoCheli mocks me mercilessly for playing it on the iPad

Plague Inc is an original mobile game. Kind of the opposite of Pandemic.

SixteenBlue wrote:

Plague Inc is an original mobile game. Kind of the opposite of Pandemic.

Hmm, I admit I may have thought it was Pandemic when I bought it. Is there a consensus on which is better on iOS?

Teneman wrote:

Hmm, I admit I may have thought it was Pandemic when I bought it.

You're thinking Pandemic 2 which was a Flash game.

http://www.quartertothree.com/fp/201...

Teneman wrote:
SixteenBlue wrote:

Plague Inc is an original mobile game. Kind of the opposite of Pandemic.

Hmm, I admit I may have thought it was Pandemic when I bought it. Is there a consensus on which is better on iOS?

As shoptroll said, there's an iOS game called Pandemic that is similar to Plague Inc.

Pretty sure there is no iOS version of the board game Pandemic.The closest you can get to that is Forbidden Island.

Cool idea.

My boardgame folder(s):

-7 Wonders companion
-Ascension
-Bang!
-Dominion
-Army of Frogs *
-Battle of Gundabad (Dominion clone)
-Blokus HD
-Can't Stop
-Carcassonne
-Catan HD
-Caylus *
-Fealty *
-Forbidden Isle
-Hacienda HD *
-Hive
-Le Havre *
-Lost Cities
-Nightfall
-Nueroshima Hex *
-Puerto Rico HD *
-Racer Feud (Formula Dé)
-Roll Through the Ages
-Small World
-Stone Age
-Summoner Wars
-Tichu
-Ticket to Ride (iPad)
-Ticket to Ride (iPhone)
-Ticket to Ride: Europe (iPhone)
-Tigris & Euphrates *
-Tikal *
-Zombie Dice

Sadly, the ones marked with a "*" haven't been played much (if at all).

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