Game Table – Review
By App Type: Uncategorized
Our rating: 
By: L4B3L, LLC
Version #: B1
Date Released: 2010-04-03
Developer: Label Interactive
Price: 0.00
User Rating:
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My kids are starting to get into board games, so when I noticed Game Table in the app store, I thought it’d be a great app to have.
On the positive side, Game Table renders each of its games (Poker, Reversi (aka Othello), Checkers, Chess and Go) beautifully. For example, the Go and Chess boards have nice wood grains on them; the checkers and poker pieces have a nice shiny plastic look to them.
The controls and “physics” of the game are also well done—controlling the pieces is easy to master. Using various gestures you can shuffle a deck of cards, flip a stack of checkers, and move various chess pieces easily.
Likewise, the soundeffects through out the game are nicely done—from the clacking of the chips to the shuffling of the cards, the sounds are clear and high quality.
The programer’s notes say that the game is meant for 2 people, so I didn’t expect any computer game version.
I did, however, expect that the ‘rules’ would be at least slightly enforced. Game Table, however, doesn’t enforce any rules whatsoever. If you want to just litter the ‘Go’ board with piece for no reason, go right ahead! If you want to put all the red checkers on the red squares and the black checkers on the black squares, Game Table will let you.
I’m on the fence if this is a plus or a minus. On one hand, it’s lets me interact with other playersjust like we would with a “regular” game board. (IE: Cheating can occur if you don’t pay attention.)On the other hand, one of the advantages of playing on a computer is the reinforcing of the rules. It lets me relax and enjoy the game more when I don’t have to examine if the other person’s move is legitimate or not.
I think, at least for now, I’ll keep Game Board on my iPad—it should at least prove handy when the kids want a play a game and we are out somewhere.
Quick Take
Value:If you are looking for just game boards (and pieces) this is the app for you. If you want it to at least enforce the rules, look somewhere else
Would I Buy Again:I am on the fence...it looks great and is easy to use, but I'd like at least some rules applied
Learning Curve:Hardly any--and there's an info window on every screen to show you how to use various gestures
Who Is It For:People who don't want a closet full of board games.
What I Like:What it does, it does well
What I Don't Like:I wish it would do more.
Final Statement:If you want to be able to have various game boards handy--extremely portable and handy--then this app is for you.
NOTE: Please don't expect to play Game Table by yourself (except, maybe solitaire!). There is no "logic" built into these games. Game Table simply provides beautifully designed game tables and game pieces along with an intuitive and fun way for you and your friends to interact with them.
More games coming very soon as FREE UPDATES including Backgammon, Go, and Reversi!
***APRIL 3RD UPDATE: We just got our iPads too! Now that we have the hardware, our developers are hard at work optimizing Game Table to be even better!
Game Table features:
• Special launch price of $0.99 cents
• Detailed, photo-realistic game tables, boards and pieces
• A virtual deck of cards with the ability to move, stack, flip and shuffle
• Poker chips and dealer button on Poker Table
• Checkers, Chess, and Cards (more games coming soon!)
• Auto-saves the position of all your pieces when you exit the app
• Multiple table backgrounds
• Simulated physics
