Itâs pretty good - oozing with Dire Wolfâs usual high production standards. It has a similar feel, look and colour pallet to Root. Somehow I have known absolutely nothing about Munchkin and was hesitant to take the plunge after reading how polarising the game is. So I assume itâs true to the base vanilla card set of the original game.
So far only played through the 2 step tutorial which I did after reading the rules so everything mainly made sense and played a couple of games against easy AI.
As I cannot comment on how well the app has implemented the original game, Iâll focus on my thoughts of the AI and UI instead.
The AI seems decent (FWIW considering Iâm an absolute NOOB). It jumps in at appropriate moments to offer assistance in fights, offers trades of equipment and generally dumps crap on you with curses.
The UI is pretty good as well. Played / equiped cards / items are shown as small icons which a long press on will display the full card. Likewise a long press on your avatar brings up a panel showing all equipped items / carried items / race / class etc. The app allows you to jump in at combat on another players turn and either aid them or screw them over. The time frame to do this has 3 different options (quick / regular / unlimited) which can be configured in game set up.
During combat the icons will vibrate if a stored item can be appropriately used. If youâre about to get smashed in combat a ringing phone will appear allowing you to call for help from the AI with the usual bribe options allowed by the rules.
All up - enjoying so far. If you hate Munchkin I assume nothing in this is going to change your opinion. If youâre a Munchkin tragic or like me know absolutely nothing about the game, then definitely worth a look. Gaia Project it certainly isnât but it is a really solid Dire Wolf production and a fun filler game. Hopefully Dire Wolf will continue, like Root to support with some of the expansion?
Hope this helps?
Legacy of the Moonspell DLC for Vampire Survivors just surprise dropped into iOS, a steal at 99 cents
Iâm going to second @Jokermanâs experience. Munchkin is a rather great app. Dire Wolf really knows how to present polished games without pointless UI nonsense like in games like Castles of Burgundy. They also do a great job giving you not just solo games against the AI, but challenges to complete, along with achievements to chase, if you care. The only game ahead of them in this department is TTA, which is still a masterclass in app design. Online games in Munchkin are real time only, which is understandable given the game, though I still maintain that if someone can make Galaxy Trucker asynchronous, any game can be asynchronous and if constant interrupts slow things down, thatâs up for the players to decide if they want to stick with the mode or not. But I digress; Munchkin is a quality app and I certainly enjoy it more digitally than at the table.
Iâm not sure what triggered it but it seems a vast majority of board game apps are on sale on iOS.
Possibly to sync up with the Steam Spring Sale which just kicked off today?
Underworld Expansion coming Mar 30th to Root digital. (from the newsletter)
The fourth expansion to the award-winning digital adaptation of the beloved wargame from Leder Games, Root: The Underworld Expansion introduces two new factions and two new maps to conquer. Advanced Setup rules let you customize the battle ahead. Prove your right to rule with new challenges and achievements that test your tactical mettle!
And, as always, you can play where and when you want: purchasing The Underworld Expansion on any device unlocks it across all platforms via your Dire Wolf account!
New Factions!
- Underground Duchy â Sway your ministers to lead a righteous expedition to the Woodland, bringing order to the unending war and chaos above.
- Corvid Conspiracy â Use cunning and trickery to hold the Woodland hostage, instigating plots to seize control through terror.
New Maps!
- Mountain Map â Trek across outcroppings, clear blocked routes, and hold the mountain pass to show you are an effective leader.
- Lake Map â Whisk yourself across the map by travelling on the ferry, meeting new friends and allies along the way.
Advanced Setup!
Advanced Setup is an optional way to draft and set up factions. Bring balance to the woodlands with new setup buffs and give your playgroup more control over their starting locations and hands!
- Advanced Setup games can be created by players who own 6 or more factions.
- All players can join an online Advanced Setup game, even if they have not yet purchased expansion content.
New Challenges & Achievements!
- Record your heroics with ten new Challenges and Achievements!
Awesome! That is all I have to say.
Only thing that still bugs me about the digital version is the hard cap at 4 on players, where you can do up to 6 (maybe more?) if you add any of the expansions to the mix with the tabletop version.
True, though I think there is a significant difference between âcanâ and âshould.â 6 kind of sounds like a miserable experience to me, though I suppose it wouldnât be as bad asynch.
the âwe love boardgamesâ feature in appstore?
The Steam Spring Sale is happening, I think.
I complimented Munchkin last week and while I still think it is a top-tier app and up there with the best of Dire Wolfâs quality, I still donât like Munchkin. Iâve played more digitally in a week than I have at the table in two decades and it is still a too-lucky, too-random, too-swingy game that overstays its welcome every single game.
I agree with you 100%. It lasts too long!
Early game is fun, how do you bottle that feel, for longer?
Square Enix has released three Voice of Cards games on iOS. Does anyone know anything about them? An SE card-based RPG sounds mighty appealing but Iâd love to know a little more about them.
Also, for any of you with kids (or anyone who likes the IP, I suppose) there is a new rougelike card game on iOS called Last Kids on Earth. It looks a little like Slay the Spire. I canât speak at all to its quality and I am going to wait on some reviews, but my kids like the books and show, so a way to get them into a card game that possibly requires a little thinking is always welcome.
I wouldnât call Voice of Cards, a card game. Itâs a JRPG with a card aesthetic. No deckbuilding or shuffling or any card based mechanics, itâs just that all characters, enemies, and the entire environment are styled like cards on a grid.
The story and gameplay werenât particularly gripping to me after an hour or so on Steam so I refunded it there.
My kids (10/9/9) love slay the spire and all those rogue likes, so I downloaded last kids on earth.
They told me when they got back to school they have watched on Netflix (I try to pay as little attention as possible to the crap they watch on Netflix - anyone seen gudetama? How does that exist?) and weâre excited to play.
Might be a good family holiday game for our trip to the Smokey Mountains!
The Root Underworld expansion is out.
Underworld is my favourite expansion for Root in cardboard. Adds a lot to the game with 2 new maps and 2 interesting factions. Close second for me is the Marauders expansion which has the most excellent Lord of the Hundreds and the somewhat challenging Keepers in Iron.
Sid Meierâs Railroads! (unnecessary exclamation point imho) is out on iOS, ported by Feral. Loaded it quickly on my phone last night. Loads quickly, great graphics, appears to be faithful to the original inasmuch as I remember it.
Hard to see on the iPhone 14 Pro, but that could be me getting used to my new progressive lenses (insert old age joke here). Probably much better quality of life on the iPad but havenât had a chance to load it up there yet.
eta: itâs obviously universal, $9.99 iirc