| Log in   Subscribe


20
Apr
09

Review: Poker Superstars III


Rating: ★★★☆☆

Poker titles work well on a handheld platform (a fact evidenced by the wealth of poker games available), as they don’t require high definition graphics or multi-core processors—just a decent AI engine and an intuitive user interface.

In regards to AI sophistication and depth of gameplay, Poker Superstars III is one of the strongest and most challenging titles I’ve seen yet. Unfortunately, a poorly ported control scheme keeps it from rising to the upper tier of poker titles.

Poker Superstars III centers on an elimination-style Texas hold’em tournament system. While many poker titles simply focus on the bank-like accumulation of cash, the Poker Superstars tournament instead brings a different sort of goal system to handheld poker. Players will have to work through early elimination rounds, slowly advancing to the more challenging later-game tournament tables.

And the key word here is challenging.

Read the rest of this entry »


30
Jul
08

MotionX Poker


Watch gameplay video
Rating: ★★★★★

I don’t like poker. I don’t like dice games. Yeah, I thought the same thing, but fortunately this game got so much attention and praise, I finally gave it a try. I suggest you do the same, even if you do not like poker or dice. MotionX Poker isn’t poker in the normal sense, but a simplified version, called dice poker. My first experience with the game is in a mini-game for the critically acclaimed RPG, The Witcher. Anyone can play it instantly, because it’s easy to get. Just to be sure, MotionX Poker even comes with detailed instructions, even giving you statistics on each hand you can win with.

You start out only being able to play on one table, but you unlock the rest by earning coins. Once you’ve earned enough coins, you can unlock another table.

This is the most polished, fun, and complete game I’ve played so far on the iPhone. fullpower uses their own physics and motion engine to simulate the rolling of the dice, and does it to superb effect. Not only does it look great, and realistic, but it sounds great and realistic. As the dice roll around on screen, the iPhone vibrates in tune with the rolling and rattling around of the dice. Each table, there are 5, each have their own particular surface, therefore sound different, depending on the material of the dice. Plastic dice on a wooden table, titanium dice on a felt table, wood dice on a metal table, and any combination thereof. They all have their own unique, realistic sounds.

As mentioned above, the graphics are perfect. Even the menu is pleasing, and easy to use. Selecting dice, checking out gems (achievements), checking out your overall stats, and the settings menu are all there. As you progress in the game, and win against your opponent, you earn new dice. The variety of dice aren’t gimmicks, some are even luckier than others. Some are easy to see and make out, while others are entirely unique and creative. Like I mentioned above, each dice sounds different depending on the material it is made of.

Not only do you win new dice, but you can win achievements, called gems. This is a bit gimmicky, but it still is a nice touch, and gives you a sense of achievement (hence achievements!) Another real nice touch is the stats page, which lists all kinds of information; length of time played, hands played, win ratio, overall amount of coins you’ve won, amount of times you’ve won with each hand (five of a kind, four of a kind, straight, full house, etc.), longest win streak, best sessions, longest session, and many more.

There’s no pause, but even better than that is the game saves the state of the game for you when you quit, so you never really lose your session data, and statistics. You can turn off and on the sound effects and music. Both are really great and don’t warrant turning off, but if you need to (quiet library, restaurant, etc.) then it’s nice to have that option. You cannot play your own music’s library by default, however a trick to do so is to press the Home button twice while the loading screen is loading the game.

MotionX Poker is quite easily my favorite game up to this point of writing this review. I’ve played it just about everywhere, and have thoroughly enjoyed the game each time. This game is worthy of being on everyone’s iPhone/iPod Touch.