Andy Whiteford
09-12-2003, 06:00 PM
Yahtzee. If you know this game, there isn’t really much to say. If you have never played it, think of a game of poker played with five dice instead of playing cards. If you have never played Poker, think of….. Oh nevermind. Just think of a very simple dice game where you have target values to achieve through a total of 13 sets of three rolls. With Handmark releasing the official version, surely we can expect the ultimate game of Yahtzee on our Pocket PCs.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/andyw-aug03-yahtzee-1.gif" /><br /><!><br /><i>As with any game Handmark releases, I look forward to the quality and polish they bring to the Pocket PC. All titles are well presented and a perfect representation of the game at hand. Yahtzee is no exception, with a very professional feel. That said, I was surprised by how little there is to this game. In a way it is almost too simple a game to warrant the kind of expertise we expect from Handmark to the point where I was wondering why they had not given more than was on offer. Perhaps I have just been spoiled by previous titles; after all this incarnation is indeed a perfect replication of the game.</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/andyw-aug03-yahtzee-2.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 1: Up to six players can participate.</i><br /><br /><span><b>So What's it All About?</b></span><br />For those of you who are not familiar with this game, the premise is fairly simple. You have 13 categories of scores to achieve such as all sixes, four of a kind etc. You get three rolls to score as high as possible in each category and these can be played in any order. If you go for one category but find you have scored highly in another category that has not already been scored, you can place your score in this category instead. A well illustrated Help section is included with many examples of the different scoring types required in the game and will have you up and playing in no time. For such a simple game though, be warned just how addictive it can be. This title definitely has that <i>'one more game'</i> quality.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/andyw-aug03-yahtzee-3.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 2: The main game screen with score board.</i><br /><br />Graphics are clear and well laid out with a simple to understand scoreboard and rolling dice. No need for anything too flashy here although everything is well represented and with a purpose. Audio compliments this with the sound of the dice rolling and applause if you throw five of a kind or Yahtzee! Everything is stylus driven and the game is very easy to play although caution should be noted when selecting where on the scoreboard you wish to place your total. With the relatively small areas to place your score, it’s fairly easy to select the wrong box by accident. An undo function that allows you to rollback this selection as found in the likes of Solitaire would be a useful addition. A high score table records the top 10 results and just for embarrassment, the lowest score is also captured! <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/andyw-aug03-yahtzee-4.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 3: Ahh, so that's how it got its name.</i><br /><br /><span><b>Who all gets to play then...</b></span><br />One thing of note, the single player game is exactly that. You play on your own with no computer opponents to tackle. While this isn’t detrimental to the game, you have your highest scores to try and improve on; it would perhaps be a fun option of having your Pocket PC trying to beat you to a high score. Multiplayer brings a lot more options to the table with the ability to share a device or use IR, Bluetooth or the Internet to establish a connection to your gaming partner. This makes discreet games across the office possible and a nice way of getting you through another soul-destroying teleconference!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/andyw-aug03-yahtzee-5.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 4: Can you tell this game is addictive?</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/andyw-aug03-yahtzee-6.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 5: Help isn't far away.</i><br /><br /><span><b>Gotchas</b></span><li>No computer opponents<br /><li>Lack of undo option<span><b>Where to buy</b></span><br />Yahtzee can be purchased from <A HREF = "http://www.handango.com/brainstore/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productId=83503" target = "blank">Handango</A> for $19.99 (Affiliate link).<br /><br /><span><b>Specifications</b></span><li>Any Pocket PC<br /><li>910kb of storage required<span><b>Conclusion</b></span><br />Well if you have been looking for the definitive version of Yahtzee for your Pocket PC, it comes as no surprise that Handmark has delivered it. The game comes with all the presentation you could hope for in as faithful a version as you will find. The lack of a computer opponent may be a disappointment to some but it doesn’t really affect the game in my opinion. Some people may also find the price point as still a bit high for what is essentially a simple game but that is the cost of an officially licensed title. Otherwise, this is the best Yahtzee title available. If this is your game, look no further.