Online/App Board & Card Games

[YourMathTeacher]

I have noticed how much Hearthstone has taken off here on the Message Boards, so I figured we should discuss other online versions of board/card games.

I have four current favorites:

1. Ticket to Ride (Steam) - You get a free download code when you buy the board game. I then bought an extra code through Steam when they were having a 50% off deal, so I could play my mom who lives in New Hampshire. She is now hopelessly addicted to playing against the AI.  You can also download the app for smart phones.

     a. AI Strength - Low - The computer has three main strategies: complete the most tickets, complete the longest continuous route, and gather six of each color to gain the most train car points. None of these strategies alone are effective against a seasoned player. This program is great for beginners and defeating loneliness, but you will not find yourself challenged.

     b. Bonus Features - When you are viewing the Destination Tickets, the end points light up green, which makes them much easier to find on the board (for the geographically challenged). When you are placing trains, the endpoints light up blue to make sure you place them correctly. If they light up red, then you have not met the requirements for that route (oh, it was 6 trains, not 5!).

     c. Downsides/Glitches - You cannot see the Destination Ticket routes unless you click on them, which is very difficult to do if you have several in hand and you want to look at the ones in the middle.

2. Dominion (website based) - This was how I first learned how to play the game. The game is free to play, you just have to create an account. They make their money by having you buy the expansions and promos, since only the base game is free.

     a. AI Strength - High - I play in Adventure Mode a lot, and the AI can be very tough sometimes. I have learned how to play certain cards so much better in real life after getting stomped by the AI with them. I have had to resort to "Zaps" (which increase a couple of my starting coppers to silvers) just to beat several bosses. The boss fights are multiplayer, and they often team up against you. 

     b. Bonus Features - The "Zaps" are very helpful and you can earn them over time without paying real money. In online games with real people, everyone can play with the expansions owned by whoever starts the game, even if the other players did not buy that expansion.

     c. Downsides/Glitches - The AI players' turns go by quickly, so you have to play close attention or you will miss what they did. There is no downtime until it is your turn and you have a choice to make. Also, be careful which buttons you press, even though they all glow as available. I have accidentally ended my turn when I simply did not want to play an action card. 

[YourMathTeacher]

3. Small World 2 (Steam) - I actually do not own this game in real life, but I was interested in trying it. Steam is currently having a sale on it ($7.49) so I gave it a go. My son and I love this game already, so I will likely pick up the real version soon. This game is not what it seems from the cover. It is a great family game. 

     a. AI Strength - Medium? - I got the beat down as I was learning the game, but I have been winning consistently since. Part of this game is dependent on the random combination of Special Power and Race you choose from the lineup of 5. I really like the game's mechanics. However, I have noticed that the computer made what I would consider poor choices when better choices were available, so I might drop this AI to Low over time.

     b. Bonus Features - The regions light up green if you have the resources to take it over, and red if you do not. You also see exactly how many tokens are required for the takeover, which is nice.

     c. Downsides/Glitches - The Sorcerer is tricky to use online, so be careful.

4. Lords of Waterdeep (Apple Store) - My son wanted to buy this game, but we decided to try the app first for $5.99. This is another game that we will definitely buy for real. Once again, don't be fooled by the box. Although the theme is Dungeons & Dragons, the game is not an RPG. It is a typical European-style board game that is limited to 8 rounds.

     a. AI Strength - High - This game can toggle three levels for AI players (easy, medium, hard), and each AI player can be a different level if you choose. Even in easy mode, they seem to make good choices, and they always target the score leader for bad stuff (Mandatory Quests, Intrigue Cards, etc.). In hard mode, the AI players always target the human players for bad stuff, even if another AI player is in the lead. They will also block human players from resources to complete Mandatory Quests, even if they do not need those resources. A solo human player against multiple AI players in hard mode is like playing Civilization in "Sid" mode. 

     b. Bonus Features - Every move by other players and AI players is shown at the beginning and end of your turn. For Pass-n-Play, the game tries to do as much as it possibly can on your turn before any other real player needs to make a decision requiring the passing of the device.

     c. Downsides/Glitches - You cannot see the whole board at once, so you have to keep scrolling around in all directions, which is tiresome for touch screen impaired old people like me.    Also, any completed quests that had an ongoing ability are not out in the open, which makes it easier to forget those abilities are still there. 

5. Star Realms (Android, Apple, PC) - Shout out to CaptainKirk for introducing the game to me recently. All versions of the app are free, but with limited accessibility. You can only play against the "Easy AI" for solo games, until you pay the $5 "total package." Realize, though, that the $5 will unlock all versions for all devices you own (according to the website), which is actually a very good deal.

     a. AI Strength - High - Even on "Easy AI" the decisions are good and the game is hard to beat. The higher AI levels utilize more strategic deck-building techniques to show you the power of using one or two factions. You are not likely to win many consecutive games against "Hard AI."

     b. Bonus Features - The cards light up around the border when they  1.) are able to be played;  2.) are able to be purchased;  3.) have an optional ability that is able to be triggered. As long as you pay attention to the glowing borders, you will not likely forget that the optional abilities are there (i.e. scrapping a card for additional effect).

     c. Downsides/Glitches - The phone version is very small (as you can imagine), so keeping track of what you have and what your opponent has is no small task. I find it very difficult to see what my opponent purchases on his turn. I also had a very tough time attacking the correct base when he had several bases in play. Finally, activating optional abilities is a little tricky with the single-tap versus double-tap, especially when there is a delay on the first tap.
             The PC version is much easier to read and follow opponent moves, but you still have to be watching very closely when it makes purchases.

[TheJaylor]

I liked the online version of Dominion quite a bit but the adventure mode and playing against bots got sorta repetitive with just the base set and I don't really have the will to by the expansions. Occasionally I'd play other people who had other expansions but my computer is sorta slow sometimes and would sometimes make playing with others difficult. If my computer was faster I'm sure I would like it much more but as per usual, is always rather play with people with physical cards.

[YourMathTeacher]

... but as per usual, is always rather play with people with physical cards.

Indeed this is true, but the beauty of the apps and online versions is that you can still play when no one else is available. Also, my son prefers to play games with more than just his dad, and the AI players give him that chance even when he has the flu. 

[LukeChips]

In my opi;ion, I like opening physical boosterpacks, rather than clicking a button...

[YourMathTeacher]

Well, I honestly did not expect so much aversion to app gaming, especially on a Message Board. 

[browarod]

Thanks for putting this together YMT! I'm gonna give you a sticky for visibility.

Specifically for Dominion (since that one's free) it's nice to know there are options for playing these games online. I don't get to play games with people in-person nearly as much anymore so I'm glad there are options for crossing the distance and being able to play with others via other methods.

[Prof Underwood]

I also really enjoyed playing Dominion online.

There also used to be a great Settlers of Catan game online, but I think it shut down a while back.

There is a great Arimaa website that I've played a lot and is free.

And there also used to be a great Blokus website that was free, but I don't know if it's still around anymore.

And there was also a great Stratego website that I used to play a REALLY long time ago ("The Forge" maybe?).

Lots of good times

[LukeChips]

Redemption should make Lackey more user friendly, to be up there with these online games...

[EmJayBee83]

Redemption should make Lackey more user friendly, to be up there with these online games...

Lackey is a general purpose game application engine. As such, there are structural limits as to how far you can move in this direction.

Well, I honestly did not expect so much aversion to app gaming, especially on a Message Board. 

Redemption folk are all about fun *and* fellowship, not just fun.

[TheJaylor]

Another game that Tim and Britta Maly enjoy playing is Agricola and there's an online version of that as well. While I'm not much of a fan of the game myself, one you get into it and figure out what it is you're trying to do it can be pretty fun.

[YourMathTeacher]

Another game that Tim and Britta Maly enjoy playing is Agricola and there's an online version of that as well. While I'm not much of a fan of the game myself, one you get into it and figure out what it is you're trying to do it can be pretty fun.

I have heard about Agricola, and considered giving it a try as a board game. I noticed the app and was debating if I wanted to try that first. Unfortunately I have not heard great things about it, but any game that sells well must be worth considering.

[Captain Kirk]

I agree that the Star Realms app has some limitations with triggering and targeting. I was frustrated early on but learned how to work it better. One note on targeting bases - you must always attack and target the Outpost bases first. Until they are destroyed you cannot touch regular bases. That may have had some bearing on your targeting.

Concerning Agricola - that is one of my favorite games currently. Each action is extremely important and the tension that comes with it is unparalleled in comparison to most other games. Some people greatly dislike it because you can lose due to one misplay. There is a reason it is so highly ranked.

Kirk

[YourMathTeacher]

One note on targeting bases - you must always attack and target the Outpost bases first. Until they are destroyed you cannot touch regular bases. That may have had some bearing on your targeting.

I was aware of the "outpost" rule. The issue is when your opponent has more than four bases, so the scrolling feature is enabled. Unless you know the pictures by heart, you have to first enlarge the view until you find the base you want to target, then find that base in the smaller view so you can "tap target" it. Unfortunately, the game does not default to putting the last base you viewed (which is likely the one you want to target) at the beginning of the small view lineup so you can immediately target it.

[Captain Kirk]

Got it. I typically don't see 4 based at once.

Kirk

[YourMathTeacher]

Got it. I typically don't see 4 based at once.

Now I know better...   

[soul seeker]

Coming into Star Realms blind, is it an easy game to learn/self-teach on a tablet?

Also, is there multiplayer (think "hot seat") in the full ($5) version?

Finally, is there an obvious way to tell that if you have a full version on the tablet then it can be also played/downloaded on PC?

[Red Dragon Thorn]

Jon,

I'd say it's fairly easy to learn on a tablet - The cards highlight various borders when you can do things with them, Yes, there is hot seat MP in the $5.00 version.

Yes, a $5.00 purchase gets you all the platforms, your username and password will unlock everything on each one.

[YourMathTeacher]

Coming into Star Realms blind, is it an easy game to learn/self-teach on a tablet?

If you have played any other deck-building game (i.e Dominion or DC Deck-Building), then this will be easy to learn.

Finally, is there an obvious way to tell that if you have a full version on the tablet then it can be also played/downloaded on PC?

If you do not have the full version, then you cannot play against any AI other than "Easy." Just click on "Vs. AI" on the main screen to see if the others are unlocked. You need to activate each device after logging in. When you are in any of the platforms, you go to "Play Online," then click "Restore Purchases" to activate that device.

[YourMathTeacher]

Concerning Agricola - that is one of my favorite games currently. Each action is extremely important and the tension that comes with it is unparalleled in comparison to most other games. Some people greatly dislike it because you can lose due to one misplay. There is a reason it is so highly ranked.

I just purchased the Agricola app ($7 for iPad), and I am in the process of learning how to play. FYI, the game mechanic is identical to Lords of Waterdeep (no coincidence then that Playdek made both apps). You place meeples on action spaces to gain resources or make buildings. There are a limited number of turns (8 in LoW), but you get to use all your workers/agents each turn. Certain actions/quests earn you victory points, and whoever has the most at the end of the game wins.

Agricola is much more family-friendly since you are farmers growing crops and raising animals, rather than adventurers battling evil forces to complete quests. If anyone is interested in learning this type of game, I would recommend Agricola, unless you are an RPG or D&D fan.

[Ironica]

A game that I have been introduced to for a month (that is great fun) is Race For The Galaxy.  It's a card game that has you racing for the goal of getting the most points.  It's unique compared to other games that I've played as you almost never influence your opponent.  There are multiple strategies to win and there are four expansions so far.  The cards that been tested both by mathematically and by rigorous play testing.  HERE'S is a link to download the game for computers and you can find the cards on Amazon if you search for them.  The download is a table simulator but it also has it's own AI with it (you can have multiple AIs going if you so desire).  You can play online with others as well.  The only caution that I warn you is that the AI is extremely difficult.  However, you can have learn a lot from watching how the AI defeats you for the first twenty to fifty times .

One last thing, If yu get the origonal game and the first expansion (The Gathering Storm), they have a "robot" that has it's own rules so you can actually play by yourself without trying to play two people at once (e.g. Redemption).

[YourMathTeacher]

Thank you for the addition Ironica! 

Just a quick note to update the Dominion game entry. There is a current beta that you can download as they move Dominion to an app instead of a website. You can download the computer app already, but the phone apps are not ready yet. If you had an existing Dominion Online account, note that the "Store" option is gone, so collecting coins and shields will not have a benefit.

[YourMathTeacher]

I added several new apps to my phone over Christmas Break that I have not posted a rating for in my original post. There was a massive sale for New Year's on Google Play. I downloaded the following :

1. Splendor - my current favorite game. I bought the board game after trying the app. Even my wife and 9-year-old love this game. A simpler and faster version of Ticket to Ride type European resource gathering games.

2. Carcassonne - I also bought the board game after trying this app. A fun tile-placement game that is easy to learn.

3. Settlers of Catan - the AI is annoying, but the digital adaptation is quite good.

4. Pandemic - I already had the board game. A nice digital version. AI is irrelevant due to the design of the game. It is basically a solo multiplayer game. You have to scroll the screen to see the whole board, which is tedious.