Review of Handmark's Monopoly

[Brad Adrian]

Like most of you, I use my Pocket PC for a lot of different things, and I especially like to play games with it. However, unlike most of you, my hand-eye coordination is so sub-standard that I usually have to bypass the typical shoot-em-up arcade games for the more “cerebral” strategy games. That is why I was so excited to see that Handmark launched a <a href="http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&platformId=2&productType=2&catalog=0&sectionId=0&productId=44820">Pocket PC version of Monopoly</a>, especially in light of the great job that they had done with their migration of Scrabble to the Pocket PC.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/monopolynewgame.jpg" /><br /><br />Still, I wasn’t sure how good a job anybody could do with squeezing the large Monopoly playboard down to fit the small Pocket PC screen. <!><br /><br /><span><b>Features</b></span><br />As soon as I launched Monopoly on my Pocket PC, I could see that Handmark had gone to great lengths to remain faithful to the old-fashioned version. There, crammed into the small screen, was the entire board layout, complete with all the familiar landmarks, like Community Chest, Free Parking, Boardwalk, and that ever-important “Go” icon. Handmark’s attention to detail didn’t stop there, either.<br /><br />Setting up the game on the Pocket PC starts with the same age-old ritual that Monopoly players have performed since the game was born in 1933: selecting the player tokens. Up to four players can choose which traditional token shapes represent them on the board: iron, race car, battleship, terrier, shoe and hat. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/monopolysetup.jpg" /><br /><br />And, just like when playing the original version, the Pocket PC version makes sure that no two players use the same token; so the other age-old ritual – arguing over who gets to use the race car – isn’t necessarily eliminated.<br /><br />Game play is very faithful to the original version, too: you simply roll the electronic dice and move your token around the electronic board. I like the fact that the rules are automatically enforced, so there’s no question about how a player gets out of jail or when properties can be purchased. However, there are a few Rules options than can be configured, depending upon what “type” of game you want to play. For instance, you can configure whether un-owned properties have to be bought/auctioned when a player lands on them or whether a monetary bonus is earned when someone lands on “Free Parking". Even so, the computer thankfully takes care of all the parts of the game I like the least: making sure tokens are moved the right number of spaces (I can be a distrustful opponent), enforcing the rules (ditto) and keeping track of all the money and transactions (ditto, again).<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/monopolyduring.jpg" /><br /><br />Even though the playing area on the Pocket PC is a LOT smaller than with the original version, the graphics used make it very easy to progress through even the longest game. When considering whether or not to buy a piece of property, all of the important information is displayed, like the future rent potential of the purchase:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/monopolybuying.jpg" /><br /><br />The screen also always shows the exact location of each player’s token, and the icons on the bottom of the screen give a great synopsis of which properties the active player owns.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/monopolyduring.jpg" /><br /><br />And, a good comparison of all the players’ holdings is only a quick screen tap away:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/monopolysummary.jpg" /><br /><br />Even things like trading or selling properties to raise cash are made straightforward by the graphics:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/monopolytrading.jpg" /><br /><br />It does take a little bit of time to learn how to complete some of the transactions, which are a bit more straightforward with the non-electronic version. But, once you learn the few simple steps needed to buy, sell and trade, the game moves very quickly.<br /><br />Some of the other features include:<br /><br />• Save and load games<br />• Beam games to other Pocket PC devices<br />• In-depth description of gameplay and strategies<br />• Complete listing of rules<br /><br /><b><span>Price</span></b><br />Like some of Handmark’s other games, Monopoly is priced a bit higher than many other Pocket PC games. At $29.99, all but the most devoted players may decide it’s just too expensive. <br /><br /><b><span>Availability</span></b><br />You can download both demo and final version of Monopoly from the <a href="http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&platformId=2&productType=2&catalog=0§ionId=0&productId=44820">Handango Web site</a>.<br /><br /><b><span>Gotchas</span></b><br />I really have very few negative things to say about this game. As I pointed out, the price may be a bit much for some people. And, the tab used to launch the menu items is pretty small and was a tad difficult for me to accurately tap. To me, though, these are very small nitpicks.<br /><br /><b><span>Conclusions</span></b><br />I have to say that this is the most faithful incarnation of Monopoly that I’ve ever used. Everything -- the rules, graphics, options, setup – comes together to make this a great game. For me, it comes down to three important points. First, this game makes it possible for me to play Monopoly even when there are no able (or willing ) human opponents available. Second, Handmark has automated and simplified all the parts of the game that I don’t like, especially the book-keeping and scoring. Third, this electronic version makes it virtually impossible to cheat (and believe me, I tried).<br /><br />So, if you really like to play Monopoly (or would like to learn), don’t be put off by the $29.99 price tag; this is one of a few games that I feel is definitely worth the price.<br /><br />But, hey, want another opinion? Ryan at pocketpcBlast has <a href="http://www.pocketpcblast.com/articles/2002/10/20021024-Monopoly-A-Winner-In.html">written a review of Monopoly</a>, too.

[Doug Raeburn]

Monopoly was recently reviewed on pocketnow.

http://reviews.pocketnow.com/content.cgi?db=reviews&id=278

[Paragon]

I have missed many nights sleep playing Monopoly with friends and family over the years. It is a very cool game.

I think the next version should be Bluetooth. So far I haven't really checked this PPC version out other than playing against the computer for a few minutes. I can see it being a bit awkward using IRDA, but I could live with it if to have the chance to drive a few more people into bankruptcy. :D

Dave

[Brad Adrian]

...I can see it being a bit awkward using IRDA...
Yes, Bluetooth would be nice, so each player could view and play the game on his/her own device. On the other hand, it's also very playable on one device, with the Pocket PC getting passed from player to player.

[Bob Anderson]

I have been waiting for this for some time.

I used to play a version of Monopoly, from Hasbro, on my old Philips Nino, and not surprisingly, the graphics looked nearly identical to the ones in the review... (same thing with a version of Scrabble I had for my old Windows CE 1.0 device.)

That's why I'm a bit put off by the $29.99 price... the development costs could not have been that high since they were using some code that was previously used... and I feel like it's a bit of price gouging and really is unnecessary. That's my personal opinion, of course...

(Now.. on to handango to order it!!!)

P.S. Bluetooth for games is a MUST!!! Developers... do it!!

[bucho]

One think I didn't like was that it does not show any houses/hotels on the main board... and I'm not asking for icons or anything, simple colored dots or just a number would be enough. Also, the AI for the trades sucks. Other than that, it's great game and pretty easy to play on the pocketpc... oh, and the price is too high :)

[b]

[ECOslin]

Monopoly game worthwhile, I was just playing, and winning, till both my battery and external battery pack died on my Maestro. No data loss when the screen faded out but it did show the hard reset screen when I tried to turn it off and it went off the second time I hit the button.

Took a little while to figure out what was going on in auctions and trades. Couldn't get the computer players to trade with me for no amount of money.

Edward

[Jason Dunn]

The IRDA beaming doesn't work like you'd think - it only beams saved games back and forth. It doesn't allow two Pocket PCs to play head to head. I think a Bluetooth version would be cool, but until many more Pocket PCs ship with Bluetooth it probably won't happen.

[Rob Alexander]

I think it's nice that they give you 10 full games as a demo. That way you can really experience how the game plays. If I had any compaints, it would be in a few nitpicky things about the AI and your relationship to the computer players. Here are some of the things that seem strange to me.

1. There often seems to be one player who doesn't buy (almost) any property, but auctions it all off. Now in real games, I've seen people turn down a premium property when they were short of money, but never when they had $1,000+ in their hands. Of course that's always the first player to go, but I'd much prefer that each player played to win.

2. Real people can be unpredictable too, so I just consider this one to be part of the game... but sometimes you just can't figure what logic rules the computer players are following. In one game I started playing around with trades, offering hugely unreasonable amounts for a property that didn't complete a set for me (like three premium properties and $500) and got turned down, then watched the player sell the same property to another player for about $120 a few turns later. At other times, I've watched someone sell a property for about 1/2 of what they paid for it when they aren't short of money. It's just weird sometimes... (but then again, who can figure out why my wife won't make perfefctly reasonable trades when she plays?! :? )

3. It seems unfair that the computer players always 'know' the cheapest option on income tax early in the game while I have to guess like in the real game. Computer players should get it wrong sometimes just to even things out.

All that said, I think they've done an excellent job with this game. I've just used up my 10 games and am buying it today. Like Brad, I'm not much on the shoot-em-ups, but a game like this will amuse me endlessly. If you like monopoly, you'll want to get this (even if the computer players do treat you unfairly :lol: ).

[Brad Adrian]

That's why I'm a bit put off by the $29.99 price... the development costs could not have been that high since they were using some code that was previously used...
I'm just guessing here, but I wonder if Hasbro requires significant license fees from each game. That could be part of the reason the price is high. I don't spend this kind of money on games very often at all, but this one is really well done, IMHO.

[Jason Dunn]

Monopoly game worthwhile, I was just playing, and winning, till both my battery and external battery pack died on my Maestro. No data loss when the screen faded out but it did show the hard reset screen when I tried to turn it off and it went off the second time I hit the button.

I've lost count of how many times you've complained about your battery :lol: - I'm starting to think you have a bad battery, because I have an e570 and it doesn't suck THAT much. :wink:

[sundown]

SWEET!!! Wow, now this is something I can really use! That's one of the thinks I like about Pocket PC Thoughts - you cover everything, including the fun stuff. Once I find my sync cord again (moved recently) I'll be checking this game out. We've spent many hours playing the board game and the computer game with friends acrossed the Internet and now I can play while waiting in line at DMV!

[Rob Alexander]

Okay, not to beat a dead horse, but this AI thing... (You have to start a new game to enter your reg#, so I had no choice but to start playing! :D )
Anyway, they need to work on some of the wonky stuff. Malcom just landed on Kentucky Ave, put it up for auction, got in a bidding war with Dana and paid more than the asking price for a property he could have had without bidding. There's gotta be something wrong with this picture. :? (And yet, I keep going back to it... it's just fun, warts and all)

[mookie123]

yeah but does it have "the cat runs over the board" feature when I am loosing?

[Dave Conger]

This is a good download...though I think $30 is steep for PPC software. I like how they give you ten games on the demo. I totally just wasted 2 hours playing it....the computer finally quit when it couldn't pay me the $1000 it owed. :D

[24va]

Hope you get a few copies to give away! I really like the game but not $30 worth of liking.

I had to delete it so I wouldn't play more than the 10 games!

Don't know who's bug it is, but I had to turn off Gigabar in order to use the menu

[Peter Foot]

Seems like a really cool game, bit pricey though. Will it support localised versions of the game (shouldn't be too difficult as the "engine" is the same) I'd rather play the British version!!!
There are also many novelty versions of the game so perhaps it should be possible to change the names and currencies via a kind of "theme" system.

Peter

[dochall]

I think it's nice that they give you 10 full games as a demo. That way you can really experience how the game plays. If I had any compaints, it would be in a few nitpicky things about the AI and your relationship to the computer players. Here are some of the things that seem strange to me.


I also think that that is a really great idea as far as limitation for the demo. A very good move :wot, no clapping smilie:

[cessquill]

Think ah'm gonna get me a download later today. Reginal versions would be cool as, although the game is initially US-based, I have only ever played the London version, and hence have a warm feeling towards other place names.

I'm looking forward to coming second prize in a beauty contest...

[ECOslin]

Seems like a really cool game, bit pricey though. Will it support localised versions of the game (shouldn't be too difficult as the "engine" is the same) I'd rather play the British version!!!
There are also many novelty versions of the game so perhaps it should be possible to change the names and currencies via a kind of "theme" system.

That would be a great idea, like some of the theme based 'physical' versions of the game.

It would be great to be able to skin your own as well.

Edward

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Countries where Monopoly is Printed:

U.S. State Editions:

U.S. City Editions:

Special Licensed Editions of Monopoly:
Top of Page

.Com Edition
Astronomy
Batman & Robin
Coca-Cola

Corvette
Disney x2
Harley-Davidson
Harley 95th Anniversary

Harley - Historical
Harley - Live to Ride
I Love Lucy
Justice League of America

Lionel Trains
Looney Toons
Marvel Comics
Millinnium

Mountaineering
Mustang
Napa Vally
National Parks

Pokemon
Powerpuff Girls
Q.V.C Edition
Scooby Doo

Simpsons
Skiing
Snap On x2
Star Trek - TOS

Star Trek - TNG
StarWars Episode 1
StarWars Limited
StarWars Trilogy

U.S. Navy
U.S. Space
Wizard Of Oz
X-Men


http://www.monopolycollector.com/country.html

[Talldog]

$30 is just too much for a PDA game, IMO. I'll buy Monoploy AND Scrabble, if they ever come down to about $15.

[Will T Smith]

For the ultimate cerebral handheld game, try GNU Go.

It's free, and as far as complexity goes it blows chess out of the water.

Basically, there are machines that can play the best humans at chess and win.

The best computer Go players can't even beat 1st Dan amateurs. Myself, I have to give GNU Go (for PocketPC) 5 liberties for a competitive game. For reference, the hardcores on the gaming zone stomp on me every time I play :-)

Check it out.

[dochall]

Think ah'm gonna get me a download later today. Reginal versions would be cool as, although the game is initially US-based, I have only ever played the London version, and hence have a warm feeling towards other place names.

I'm looking forward to coming second prize in a beauty contest...

Yes it would be cool. I have played it but the years of just knowing the London version are lost.

[Brad Adrian]

Just as an aside for any Monopoly freaks out there, here's a great site (http://www.monopoly.com/pl/page.history/dn/default.cfm) with all kinds of information about the game, including some little-known historical facts.

[BugDude10]

I'm not a serious PDA gamer, and I haven't played the board game in 15 years (and probably not for another 5 years before that), but I did download this demo, and it is pretty cool. I think the game play is true to the original and easy enough to adjust to, and 10 free games is an excellent way to allow people to really get a feel for the game. And I've already used up most of those trial games after only a couple days.

But...

$30 is just ridiculous for a PDA game, no matter how good, enjoyable, or true-to-the-original. I wouldn't hesitate to buy for $15, or maybe $20 (after scouring for a discount code), but $30 is more than I've paid for any more justifiable software purchase for my PDA (i.e., actual productivity software).

Handmark, Handango, somebody: have a sale, get the price down to $20 or less, and you'll have my money for a product this enjoyable and nicely done. Otherwise, I can wait another 15 years.

Just my $0.02.

[lspinellijr]

i love scrabble for my ipaq and bought it.......im not gonna go spend $30 for another ppc game. i did it once and thats it.

how about these guys giving me some discount for monopoly since i bought another one of their overpriced software! jeez

this is why software companies deserve to get attacked by pirates! if they made it $10 everyone would buy it, but they make it $30 now 20% will buy it, 50% will forgo it and the rest will get it pirated.

microsoft claims the high cost covers advertising too and until i see billboards for monopoly on ppc i wont buy that argument. royalties from the original creators cant be THAT high.

[Brad Adrian]

this is why software companies deserve to get attacked by pirates!
That is the single most-ridiculous comment about software prices I've read. We're not talking about a piece of software that you require in order to breathe, eat or earn a living. If you don't like the price, don't pay it. Are you equally comfortable saying that, because big-screen TVs are so expensive you should be allowed to steal one?

microsoft claims the high cost covers advertising too and until i see billboards for monopoly on ppc i wont buy that argument.
Ummm...Microsoft had nothing to do with the creation and distribution of Monopoly, so I have NO idea where that comment came from.

[lspinellijr]

let me claify......


software is ALL intellectual property. once it is produced there is NO...ZERO cost in producing more. UNLIKE televisions which COST something PER unit after the intellectual property and design is consumated. the screen, box, etc all cost money. simple economics.

secondly, the microsoft comment was an analogy of how software companies justify high costs of software.

thirdly, i dont recall any software that assists in respiration that runs atop the pocket pc platform. so where does THAT comment come from.

im sorry my comments went over your head.

[ECOslin]

Well, I never realized all the rules in Monopoly until my PDA started tracking them in this game.

Edward

Whiny kid's voice:
'Mommy, Dana and Guybrush won't trade with me!'

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

software is ALL intellectual property. once it is produced there is NO...ZERO cost in producing more. UNLIKE televisions which COST something PER unit after the intellectual property and design is consumated. the screen, box, etc all cost money. simple economics.
True. The software industry can be hugely lucrative if the software sells. Though there is an "equilibrium" point that all companies try to reach to maximize their profits. In this case, I do agree that a $10-15 price tag would be more profitable than a $30 one (not considering whether Hasbro has enforced some high licensing fee).

secondly, the microsoft comment was an analogy of how software companies justify high costs of software.

thirdly, i dont recall any software that assists in respiration that runs atop the pocket pc platform. so where does THAT comment come from.

im sorry my comments went over your head.
At the risk of being dense, I do believe Brad's comment was also an analogy stating that Monopoly is not provide critical functionality to the PPC; thus, this greatly lessens any morale reason anyone would have to "pirate" the software.

[Samuel]

Just to put my 2c in, yes, I agree $30 is too much for a PPC software, especially without Bluetooth... I'd definitely buy it if the price is lower. I don't think I'll pay more than $20 for it though...

I hope the developers of this game are reading this forum...

I wonder whether there'll be any Christmas specials... Buy one get Scrabble free (or vice versa)...? :wink: How about $40 for both games? Maybe keep the $30 price tag, but offer free upgrade for life? :wink:

Just trying to find a win-win situation here...

[Brad Adrian]

...im sorry my comments went over your head.
Slim to none on that one, dude.
Look, my only point was that there is never any legitimate excuse for pirating software. Just because you think the price of a game is too high doesn't make it okay to steal it.

[cbf]

Well, apparently there is some recognition that $30 is too high a price.

CompUSA is offering a $20 mail-in rebate on the Palm version of Handmark Monopoly (http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=298541) and Scrabble, if purchased from now until Dec 14.

The printed circular actually doesn't make it clear that the rebate is only for the Palm version, since the ad is on a page full of PocketPC stuff, but it's clear from the website that CompUSA isn't even carrying the PPC version yet. If someone goes to a store & finds out otherwise, please let us know.

Update! I visited a CompUSA, and the rebate applies to a new combined package that contains both the PocketPC and the Palm version of the product. Also, the info on the box seems to say that you can play between two beamed devices. Be interesting to see if it works t play between a Palm & a PocketPC (might work since the PPC version clearly looks like a port of the Palm code). I may post more after I install and play with mine a bit.