Durak

iTunes Link

Durak is a card game by Lost Token. $1.99

Lately I have ventured away from the 'hidden gems' of the App Store, instead reviewing bigger games so people can decide whether they are the right game for them or not. As most game purchases are these more known games I feel it is more beneficial to hear opinions on them, not just one star "The screen goes black" reviews on iTunes. Durak however, is not one of these huge games that everybody has bought. Taking a look in the card section on iTunes it was No.41, yet if it was up to me I would put it at No.6 or No.7. Durak is popular card game internationally that has a totally different concept compared to other card games. There is no gambling in this game, rather being more of a card battle with attacking and defending, trying to remove all of your cards before your opponent. This is a great concept, especially in games with more than two people playing as there are multiple winners, but only one Durak (loser). The downside of matches with 3 or 4 players is that this game gets very confusing about how to actually play it, especially if you want to play with multiple friends with ordinary cards.

There isn't much that card games can do graphically, but Durak is probably one of the best. The playing area is a pretty basic wood table I assume and the playing cards are nice and big, very easy to see. What really makes a good card game in its presentation is how smooth and easy the game is. The animations are quick and easy, with no trouble regarding lag or glitches. I have never had Durak crash on me at all. The controls are very simple, yet super effective for the touch screen controls of the iDevice. To put cards out and to put them back into your pile requires a touch and drag motion to and from your hand to the middle of the play area. To end your turn a double tap is needed. The controls are really easy to use and learn, and really effective for this type of game.

Durak features sound that I can imagine being straight out of Monopoly on the iPhone or the PC. There are the basic sound effects of the cards being placed and such, as well as a nice and easy going tune throughout the whole game. While it isn't really that spectacular, the music kind of eases the pressure off this game, as it can get quite stressful against the harder opponents. It is alright, but not the greatest sound I have ever heard in a game.

Durak takes on a basic principal that is featured in many card games, get rid of your cards before your opponent(s). The way this works is quite exciting and very addictive. It is basically a game of cat and mouse, trying to remove as many cards as possible from your hand while trying to make the opponent gain cards. The way the game works is each player gets given 6 cards, and these keep getting replenished to the 6 cards after each turn until all cards in the deck have been used. A trump card is placed at the bottom of the deck. The suit of this card makes all cards that suit able to beat all other suits. To attack you place any card out into the playing area. The defender must place a higher card of the same suit or a trump card to defend. The turn can be turned by placing a card with the same number as the first card next to it, forcing the attacker to then turn the game again or defend against the two cards. If successfully defended the attacker can then either put out another card with the same number as any card already on the table, or end the turn. If another card is placed out the defender must counter it. If the attacker ends the turn the cards are put in the graveyard and it is the opponents turn. If the defender can't defend against a certain card then all the cards in play are put into the defenders hand. It is a game of cat and mouse until crunch time, where there are no cards left in the deck. It is then a race to remove all of your cards and hope you aren't the last one left with cards. The tutorial doesn't show how the game works with 3 or 4 players, and is really complex when playing. Words come up to tell you what to do in your turn, but it is so confusing that I stick to 2 player.

This addicting card game has gone unnoticed for a long time on the App Store, and deserves much higher credit than it currently receives. For those who want to try this unheard of game with your friends, you can play them through multiplayer WiFi. For those who prefer the computer there are 3 difficulty levels. Lost Token have promised online Multiplayer to play those throughout the world. This is really quite an addicting game that has gotten rave reviews on iTunes. Durak proves that some Hidden Gems are in fact great games. This has become one of my most played non-gambling card games in real life, after UNO and Crib. Great work Lost Token, you deserve it! It would be great if you could buy this game to support Lost Token, you won't be disappointed.

Gameplay- 8.5/10

Graphics- 8/10

Sound- 7/10

Overall- 8/10

I would recommend this game if you enjoyed- Orions: Legend of Wizards

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