Hippotamus
Software
£39.95
|
 |
Backgammon is one of those simple
games that either seems very boring or hooks you completely. If
you already know the rules and fancy sharpening up your play then
Hippo Backgammon can be highly recommended. If you are a complete
novice you will find a full explanation of the rules on the disk
but it may first be worth buying a cheap backgammon board game to
see if you like it.
Although a fairly simple game I
find it fascinating and I have had many hours of enjoyment with
this version. The game is essentially a solitaire game where you
play against one of two computer 'robots'. The strengths of the
program are that you can alter the 'intelligence' of the robots
by amending or creating files called 'Neurons' and 'Cortex'. If
you want to study the strategic importance of various moves and
to see how the robots 'think' you can call up these details. Several
parameters in the games can be altered. The program works in mono
or colour and the colour version gives a choice of two colour layouts
which is good as the default colours are awful! You can change sides
in a game, input your own dice rolls to test play, 'undo' moves
or just sit back and watch as the two robots play each other. The
graphics are excellent and animation of the pieces good. Control
of the dice and pieces is entirely with the mouse making play very
easy.
Overall the game is excellent but
there are one or two design problems. It is difficult to know at
first exactly how to get started. You do not throw the dice but
simply accept the value of the dice at the start of the game as
your first move. Placement of the pieces has to be quite precise
and if apiece won't 'go' when it should you begin to wonder why.
To make the robot play you click on the dice, (your throw is done
automatically at the end of the robot's turn), but this can be confusing
as occasionally you tend to click the dice thinking it is your turn
only to lose your throw. Another weakness is that the rules of backgammon
state that you must move if possible but it is quite easy to cheat
(even accidentally) by forcing the robot to play again if it is
to your advantage not to move. Provided that you play to the rules,
these problems will not cause too much bother but they should have
been dealt with at the testing stage.
To sum up, if you like solitaire
games or are hooked on backgammon, Hippo Backgammon can be highly
recommended. You will certainly learn to play better and with the
ability to change the way the robots play you can go a lot deeper,
if you wish, than with a straightforward board game.
top
