Price: $8.99 CAD
Rating: 9*
I was very disappointed that I missed the Kickstarter for this digital implementation of Twilight Struggle and had to wait extra time for it to arrive on Android. When it finally did, I was ecstatic and played it repeatedly, reinforcing why it was, at the time, my #1 Game of All-Time. Just because of my sheer love for the physical game I almost rated this app 10 stars, but had to dock a few points for the reasons explained a bit later on.
Overall, the interface for the game is very well done and intuitive. A tutorial is available for newcomers or even those familiar with the game so that they can become familiar with the interface. Players can then play offline against an AI or pass-and-play or play online. Players are able to adjust the influence handicap depending on the relative ability against each other or the AI. Players are also able to select from a couple variants if they wish, Chinese Civil War or Late War, or they can use the Turn Zero set-up if they purchase the expansion.
All the information needed for playing is within easy to find and open menus. There is turn confirmation and an extremely handy Defcon warning in case you are about to carelessly play a move that will cause you to lose the game. I wish real life had this. When carrying out coups, the game will clearly show the result of each die roll before proceeding so you can easily determine whether you want to continue or not. The game also will warn you when you are getting close to ending the round with a score card in your hand, which of course must be played before the end of the round. These small conveniences really add up to making the game play experience much smoother.
Onto my couple complaints for this app. First is that the game is a bit buggy. There have been many times when I zoom in on a card and then zoom back out where the card gets stuck and then blocks a large portion of the screen. I then usually have to exit the game and load it back where I left off, but in a couple cases the save file was so corrupt I could not continue. It is quite frustrating when you need to give up on a long, strategic game because of a bug. Second, I had purchased a new phone and when I loaded the game on my new phone, the in-game purchases did not transfer over and I have not been able to resolve this yet.
Is this able to stop me from recommending this app? Unfortunately, I like the game so much that it does not and I've had many more successful plays without bugs than with. With a tutorial that is a great way to learn how to play the game for the first time and the ability to play against an AI for practice along with online support, this absolutely belongs in any digital game collection. It is also a great way to spend a tiny amount to get a taste for the game if you are on the fence about buying the physical version.
Overall, the interface for the game is very well done and intuitive. A tutorial is available for newcomers or even those familiar with the game so that they can become familiar with the interface. Players can then play offline against an AI or pass-and-play or play online. Players are able to adjust the influence handicap depending on the relative ability against each other or the AI. Players are also able to select from a couple variants if they wish, Chinese Civil War or Late War, or they can use the Turn Zero set-up if they purchase the expansion.
All the information needed for playing is within easy to find and open menus. There is turn confirmation and an extremely handy Defcon warning in case you are about to carelessly play a move that will cause you to lose the game. I wish real life had this. When carrying out coups, the game will clearly show the result of each die roll before proceeding so you can easily determine whether you want to continue or not. The game also will warn you when you are getting close to ending the round with a score card in your hand, which of course must be played before the end of the round. These small conveniences really add up to making the game play experience much smoother.
Onto my couple complaints for this app. First is that the game is a bit buggy. There have been many times when I zoom in on a card and then zoom back out where the card gets stuck and then blocks a large portion of the screen. I then usually have to exit the game and load it back where I left off, but in a couple cases the save file was so corrupt I could not continue. It is quite frustrating when you need to give up on a long, strategic game because of a bug. Second, I had purchased a new phone and when I loaded the game on my new phone, the in-game purchases did not transfer over and I have not been able to resolve this yet.
Is this able to stop me from recommending this app? Unfortunately, I like the game so much that it does not and I've had many more successful plays without bugs than with. With a tutorial that is a great way to learn how to play the game for the first time and the ability to play against an AI for practice along with online support, this absolutely belongs in any digital game collection. It is also a great way to spend a tiny amount to get a taste for the game if you are on the fence about buying the physical version.
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