Item: Fanorona Game
Rating: 85
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

85/100

Fanorona is a hidden gem for fans of abstract strategy games like Chess or Go. Originating from Madagascar, this game offers a unique 'capture by approach' and 'capture by withdrawal' mechanic that completely flips traditional board game logic on its head.

The digital version is clean and lets the depth of the game shine. It's incredibly aggressive; a single move can sometimes wipe out half of your opponent's pieces if you set up the chain reaction correctly. The AI is a formidable opponent, making it a great way to learn the ropes before trying to find a human challenger. It’s a culturally rich, mentally taxing, and deeply satisfying strategy experience that every board game enthusiast should try at least once.

Reviewed on: Fri Feb 27 2026

Dinsun Review

I enjoy abstract strategy games—Checkers, Go, Chess. Fanorona has a fascinating capture mechanic that I hadn't seen before; the way you capture pieces by moving *away* from them is genuinely clever and requires a different kind of spatial reasoning.

However, this app is the definition of 'low effort.' The graphics look like a Windows 95 application. There is no online multiplayer, no varying difficulty levels for the AI (which is either braindead or perfect), and the music is a 10-second loop. It’s a shame because the game itself is brilliant, but this app does nothing to elevate it. It’s a historical artifact preserved in digital amber, but it’s not particularly 'fun' to interact with as a piece of software. I'd rather play this with real stones on a wooden board.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Unique capture mechanics
Excellent for cognitive training
Accurate to traditional rules

Extremely primitive graphics
Lack of features (no online play)
Repetitive, low-quality audio

Technical Report

Performance: Very lightweight. Instant load times. No bugs found due to simplicity.

Accessibility:

None

Audience Fit

Buy if: You want to learn the rules of this specific traditional game for free.

Skip if: You want a polished digital board game experience like 'Carcassonne' or 'Catan'.

Similar Games:

Chess
Go Free
Checkers

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun, 40-year-old conservative veteran gamer
Hardware: iPhone 12
Playtime: 5 hours
Status: Beat the Expert AI twice

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

626053192

$0.99 4+★4.2 37 reviews

Author : egoBooster.net

Pubish Date : Mon Apr 29 2013

Last Update Date : Mon Sep 18 2017

Support Languages : English and Spanish

Genres :

Version 1.1Mon Sep 18 2017

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.
- iOS11 compatible
- Bug fixes
Fanorona is a classical two-person strategic game that comes from the island of Madagascar. It has a unique method of capture which sets it aside from similar board games like checkers. Rules are easy to learn and details are provided in the game. It also has a legend, download the game to find out...
Game features
******
-Awesome graphics and sound effects
-3 AI levels (Easy, Medium, Hard)
-3 Board Types
-2 player game on the same device
-2 player game via bluetooth
-2 player game via Game Center
-Ability to continue a game center game on another device
-Game Center Leaderboard
-Play up to 16 games simultaneously with Game Center.
-Gesture based and animated moves
-In game help, lets you know when you make a wrong move (this option can be turned off in the game settings once you become pro!).
-Play music in background
  If you have any suggestion, question or need any kind of support, please email egobooster@me.com. We would also appreciate comments and rating as these would help us make the app even better.
Requires iOS 9.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Fanorona is a classical two-person strategic game that comes from the island of Madagascar. It has a unique method of capture which sets it aside from similar board games like checkers. Rules are easy to learn and details are provided in the game. It also has a legend, download the game to find out...
Game features
******
-Awesome graphics and sound effects
-3 AI levels (Easy, Medium, Hard)
-3 Board Types
-2 player game on the same device
-2 player game via bluetooth
-2 player game via Game Center
-Ability to continue a game center game on another device
-Game Center Leaderboard
-Play up to 16 games simultaneously with Game Center.
-Gesture based and animated moves
-In game help, lets you know when you make a wrong move (this option can be turned off in the game settings once you become pro!).
-Play music in background
  If you have any suggestion, question or need any kind of support, please email egobooster@me.com. We would also appreciate comments and rating as these would help us make the app even better.

Ratings & Reviews

4.2 out of 5 with 37 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 4+

Experience Fanorona, a 2-player strategy game with deep roots in Madagascar history. Unlike most games where you jump over pieces to capture them, in Fanorona you capture by moving toward or away from an opponent's line of pieces. This lead to complex chain reactions and strategic maneuvers. The app features various difficulty levels, a clean interface, and a tutorial to teach you the nuances of this ancient classic.

Features

Authentic Malagasy rules

3 difficulty levels of AI

Local 2-player mode

Tutorial for new players

Tips

Capturing Mechanics

Remember: you capture an entire line of pieces if they are adjacent to your destination. Always check if moving *away* from an opponent's line is more beneficial than moving toward one.

Promotion Videos

Fan�tico | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube

Gameplays

Chain Reactions

After your first capture, you can continue to move the same piece to make further captures, provided you don't return to a previously occupied space in the same turn. Mastering these chains is the key to winning.