Item: Encore! Digital Edition
Rating: 85
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

85/100

As a devotee of modern tabletop gaming, Encore! (Noch mal!) has always been a staple for its 'just one more round' addictive quality. This digital port is an absolute masterclass in how to translate a roll-and-write game to the small screen. The interface is clean, eliminating the need for physical dice and felt-tip markers while maintaining the tactile satisfaction of ticking off those colored blocks. It’s a game of efficiency and calculated risks; do you complete a column early for fewer points, or hold out for the color bonus?

The AI provides a respectable challenge for solo play, but the real soul of the game remains the race against the mechanics themselves. The digital edition streamlines the bookkeeping, letting you focus entirely on the strategy of when to use your precious wildcards and how to minimize your 'unfilled' penalties. If you enjoy games like Ganz Schön Clever or Railroad Ink, this is a mandatory addition to your library. It’s elegant, punishing in the best way, and perfectly paced for a five-minute commute or a long flight.

Reviewed on: Wed Feb 25 2026

Dinsun Review

Another 'board game turned app' that doesn't really justify its existence. The fun of Encore is the social interaction and the frantic shouting in a room full of people. Putting that onto a small screen takes away 90% of the appeal. The app itself is bare-bones—the interface looks like it was designed a decade ago and hasn't been touched since.

As a 'game,' there's not much here for the software to do other than show you a word and start a timer. If you're looking for a digital party game, there are dozens of better options that actually use the phone's capabilities. This is just a lazy port of a brand name. Skip it and just buy the physical box if you really like the game.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Faithful to the original board game rules
Good for large groups in person
Saves time on manual scoring

Outdated and clunky user interface
Very little content in the base app
Online multiplayer is often empty

Technical Report

Performance: Simple graphics ensure it runs on anything, but UI transitions feel sluggish.

Accessibility:

Simple tap interface

Audience Fit

Buy if: You are a die-hard fan of the Encore board game and want a digital version for travel.

Skip if: You want a modern, polished digital board game experience.

Similar Games:

SongPop
Heads Up!
Taboo

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun, 40-year-old critical gamer
Hardware: iPad Air
Playtime: 2 hours
Status: Played several multiplayer matches

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

1374587455

$3.99 4+★4.4 22 reviews

Author : Outline Development

Pubish Date : Tue Aug 21 2018

Last Update Date : Sat Jan 25 2025

Support Languages : English, Dutch, German

Genres :

Version 1.3.4Sat Jan 25 2025

We used this update to improve stability and fix known issues. Have fun playing!
Noch mal! is the digital version of the popular dice game.
Players earn points by being the first to check off all boxes in a column, and all boxes of the same color. They must do so by only checking boxes which are connected to other boxes. Make sure to complete columns before other players do! The first to complete a column earns more points than those that complete them later. In addition to points for completed columns a player can receive a bonus if they checked all the boxes of the same color.
• Official license
• Easy start into the game
• Game mode "Solo" for single players
• Game mode "Duo" for two players on one device
• Auto-Select Dice and Auto-Complete Turn
• Using the app as a digital score pad or digital dice
• Local leaderboard for solo mode
• Supporting Game Center with leaderboard and achievements
Requires iOS 11.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Start in the middle, reach for the stars! Fill columns and colors – choose wisely, score big!
Noch mal! is the digital version of the popular dice game.
Players earn points by being the first to check off all boxes in a column, and all boxes of the same color. They must do so by only checking boxes which are connected to other boxes. Make sure to complete columns before other players do! The first to complete a column earns more points than those that complete them later. In addition to points for completed columns a player can receive a bonus if they checked all the boxes of the same color.
• Official license
• Easy start into the game
• Game mode "Solo" for single players
• Game mode "Duo" for two players on one device
• Auto-Select Dice and Auto-Complete Turn
• Using the app as a digital score pad or digital dice
• Local leaderboard for solo mode
• Supporting Game Center with leaderboard and achievements

Ratings & Reviews

4.4 out of 5 with 22 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 4+

Encore! Digital Edition brings the acclaimed 'Noch mal!' board game to your mobile device. Players roll dice to select color and number combinations to mark off boxes on their grid. The goal is to be the first to complete columns and all boxes of a specific color. With a solo mode against AI and local pass-and-play, it offers a deep strategic experience where you must balance aggressive expansion with the risk of losing points for unused dice.

Features

Official 'Noch mal!' license

Solo play against AI

Local multiplayer pass-and-play

Automated scoring and rule enforcement

Tips

Optimal Starting Strategy

Always start from the center column as it gives you the most flexibility to expand left or right. Try to save your 'Exclamation Point' wildcards for the end of the game when you need specific single blocks to finish a high-scoring column.

Promotion Videos

Encore! | Official Trailer #2 | Disney+ - YouTube

Gameplays

Dice Selection Mechanics

On your turn, you choose one color die and one number die. The combination determines which blocks you can fill. In multiplayer, the dice you choose are removed from the pool, forcing opponents to work with what's left.