A little buggy so far
Fri Jan 07 2022 Holdemstar17I’m very familiar with the board game. Most of this digital version plays very smoothly (I’m using an iPad mini 6). However, on the last round of my first game, I could not complete my turn. It would not let me draw up to my hand size, and therefore wouldn’t advance to Jean’s turn. I saved and restarted my turn numerous times, but still the same problem… My guess is my rating will go up if I can continue the game I started. I will say I’m ok without an AI (as others have indicated they desire). Jean is a fun simulation of an opposing player. And this app does make it easier to manage Jean. A digital game against others would be nice however.
EDIT: OK, after I shut the app, it did let me complete the game. There were a few times during the game when Jean couldn’t complete his turn, and I had to save a reload the game.
Bottom line: A little buggy, but a nice implementation. Information is pretty easy to find. So, if the bugs were eliminated for me, this would be five stars. Well done overall.
A ton of potential that needs more development investment
Mon Jul 24 2023 spkaneThis feels like a very solid implementation of the Maracaibo board game. It has a ton of potential, but it is also hurt from various things that simply need polishing.
* All actions should be undoable within a single turn. In essence you should be able to restart your turn if desired (or at least make this an option in settings). At the moment the undo seems limited, even within a single turn.
* The tutorial would greatly benefit from a back button, so that you can easily step back a screen or two and re-read something.
* The game doesn't handle mobile devices properly that have the default system font set to a larger size.
* On Apple silicon devices (macOS versus iOS) the game starts is the wrong orientation and can not be rotated, so it is basically unplayable, even though it appears to be running fine.
On the featureside, it would be great if there was support for multiple online players, both realtime via local bluetooth or internet, and a delayed email-style turn taking feature, where oneplayer takes their turn the other player recives a notifcation that it is their turn and then whever they start the app and take their turn, the next player is notified, etc, so that a game can be played as time allows over a few days, or whatever.
It would also be great to see content from the new expansion and any additional promos, etc.
Great with a big bug
Mon May 15 2023 Cheery LittlebottomAnother person mentioned the board being stuck to where you cannot view the bottom section. this happens to me about 50 percent of the time if I have an unfinished game- if I exit out and log back in , it fixes it SOMETIMES. The way you can tell is if there is a small snippet of the scroll that appears saying to move your ship 1 to 7 spaces. If I log in and see that little Snippet at the top, I immediately shut out of the game and restart it until it goes away - pretty frustrating but it is not game breaking like another mentioned _. Hopefully this gives insight to fix it- also , if they added multiplayer this would be one of the best board game apps on iOS. Thanks!
Great Implementation and Wonderful Feedback
Thu Dec 23 2021 onelittlefischThis is a faithful representation of the board game. I think Maracaibo is one of Alexander Pfister's best games. Though I am not keen on the theme, the mechanics are solid and its a lot of fun. The game functions as an engine building rondel race where you always want just one more turn at the end, which feels like a well balanced design. There are so many different paths to victory and finding how the cards can work together is a treat. I am terrible at beating the automa and would love to see an AI.
The campaign is fine. It tells a reasonable enough story and you can replay the game or play without it. All in it feels like icing on an already delicious cake.
I did run into a bug early on and the developer reached out and was very helpful. I think this is a great experience that is improving all the time!
Good adaptation, multiplayer issues IMO
Sat Jan 22 2022 QuidopherI like this digital edition of Maracaibo. The imagery and icons are the same as the physical board game. It feels the same as physical. They also simplified combat so that it’s clear what options you have and the penalties you might pay or benefits gained, etc.
I play board game apps so that I can play solo against AI. Unfortunately, the only AI in this game is Jean the Solo Mode opponent. Instead of playing against an AI player you’re playing a solo mode against Jean who plays by different rules. I find Jean to be pretty difficult to beat. It might just be me but it seems like if you play against Jean the best way to beat them is to quickly navigate to the last space while making some good plays along the way. Each turn Jean gets heaps of rewards usually.
I would much rather play against AI that is following the same rules as me to feel more like a normal multiplayer match.
Otherwise the app is good and is fun to play? It’s also a great way to learn the game through the tutorial.
So Here’s the Thing….
Wed Jan 05 2022 thenmrkidIt would be tempting to give this 4 stars because of the lack of online multiplayer and AI… but, reading the devs responses to other comments that they wanted to build a “solid foundation” first- I have to give them props that they definitely accomplished that goal. This game is built very well! Also, major bonus points for probably the best digital board game tutorial I have ever seen- it was so thorough and easy to follow.
The only thing I will say is that it’s a bit disappointing this isn’t full screen on the iPhones… I get it with the notch and everything… but that’s pretty much expected at this point.
Needs AI opponents, otherwise solid
Wed Dec 22 2021 pjr862Maracaibo is a challenging game to fit onto a tablet screen, but the developers did an admirable job.
It is worth noting that there are no AI opponents, other than an the “Automa” rules from the board game. A digital board game without AI opponents is incomplete in my opinion, hence the missing star on my review.
The app description is accurate in terms of it only including an Automa opponent and pass & play (no online multiplayer either)… but frankly, I don’t check for those things because I assume they will be present in all board game apps at this point.
Love this game, needs a little more
Wed Apr 13 2022 icelusxLoving this implementation of one of my favorite board games. In this game you are a hired gun on the high seas hire your crew (card tableau) and specializing in a few actions while racing your opponents to the end of the round. Thinky fun! I’m currently just playing the solo mode within the campaign so I can’t comment on multiplayer.
With a few tweaks the game will be perfect but even as is it’s great to pick up my phone/iPad wherever I am and play a game of Maracaibo. If you have a smaller phone I wouldn’t recommend it but it works fine on my old 8 plus.
Excellent despite its limitations.
Fri Dec 24 2021 thekidsaresosoI was initially very frustrated as others were by the lack of online multiplayer and a true AI. But I have nevertheless found myself coming back again and again to play against the automa,Both in standard mode and through the Campaign. While I still desperately hope that they add an AI opponent, the implementation of a great game is still well worth the cost of admission. The main problem with the automa is that its movement rules make for a fast game without the interestingVariation in tempo that is such a core part of these Alexander Pfister games.
Awesome app!
Wed Dec 22 2021 dale's snailReally high quality adaptation of a great game. Even the soundtrack is good. Good tutorial. Jean!
One question, is there any way to make it take up the whole screen on an iPhone 12 mini? Would give significantly more real estate but I’m guessing it’s a fair amount of work to add this?
Update: Thanks for your reply! Avoiding the notch issue, there may be a way to just hide the white bar at the bottom of the screen which is making everything smaller. Thanks again for the amazing app!
