Item: Smart Othello
Rating: 88
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

88/100

Smart Othello is easily one of the best implementations of Reversi I've ever played. The AI is incredibly strong—it will absolutely punish you for taking a corner too early or failing to account for mobility. It feels like playing against a pro, which is exactly what you want if you're trying to get better at the game.

The analysis tools are the real standout here. Being able to go back through a finished game and see exactly where the 'win probability' shifted is an amazing learning tool. It turns a simple casual game into a deep tactical study. The graphics are minimalist and elegant, focusing entirely on the board and the stones.

Reviewed on: Wed Aug 21 2024

Dinsun Review

Dinsun here. This isn't just a game; it’s a study tool. If you just want to flip some discs, any free app will do. But if you want to understand *why* you’re losing, Smart Othello is the only way to go. The AI is brutal—it will punish your mistakes instantly, but the analysis tools then show you exactly where you went wrong.

The UI is about as minimalist as it gets. There are no fancy 3D pieces or distracting animations. It’s just the board and the math. I love the historical game database; being able to step through a match from a 1990 championship is fantastic. It’s a very conservative, intellectual product that respects the player's time. It doesn't entertain; it educates.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Powerful AI with adjustable difficulty
Professional analysis and hint systems
Clean, distraction-free design

Very dry presentation
Pricey for a classic board game app
Steep learning curve for advanced features

Technical Report

Performance: AI calculations are incredibly fast; zero bugs encountered.

Accessibility:

High Contrast Board

Audience Fit

Buy if: You want to master Othello and use professional-grade analysis tools.

Skip if: You want a flashy, social, or casual board game experience.

Similar Games:

Pure Chess
The Battle of Polytopia

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun
Hardware: iPhone 15 Pro
Playtime: 15 hours
Status: Beaten AI at Level 8

The Game

Available on: Mac, iPhone, iPad

1056367184

Free4+★4.6 504 reviews

Author : Smart Go, Inc.

Pubish Date : Mon Aug 15 2016

Last Update Date : Mon Nov 20 2023

Support Languages : English, French, German, Japanese

Genres :

Version 4.0.5Mon Nov 20 2023

Bug fixes.
Play Othello against your friends or the computer. Created by the 1992 US Othello Champion, this is the Othello app you’ve been waiting for. A powerful engine wrapped in a clean user interface.
With five levels to choose from, you’ll find the level that gives you the right challenge. The built-in tutorial and teaching aids will help you improve your game — advance to the next level and give your friends a good fight.
— A MINUTE TO LEARN … A LIFETIME TO MASTER —
Othello has simple rules: just bracket opponent discs and flip them to your color. But proper strategy is more complex than you might think. Smart Othello makes the game enjoyable while improving your play.
Features:
• Five levels of computer play, from novice to master.
• Real-time matches using Game Center.
• Achievements and leaderboards to challenge you.
• Blunder Guard to keep you from making bad mistakes.
• Random openings that give both players an equal chance.
• Hint, undo, and easy game replay.
• Collection of games by top players for replay and study.
Smart Othello was created by the 1992 US Othello Champion, who also developed the acclaimed SmartGo apps for the game of Go.
Othello® is a registered trademark of MegaHouse Corporation. Used with permission.
Requires iOS 16.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Play Othello against your friends or the computer. Created by the 1992 US Othello Champion, this is the Othello app you’ve been waiting for. A powerful engine wrapped in a clean user interface.
With five levels to choose from, you’ll find the level that gives you the right challenge. The built-in tutorial and teaching aids will help you improve your game — advance to the next level and give your friends a good fight.
— A MINUTE TO LEARN … A LIFETIME TO MASTER —
Othello has simple rules: just bracket opponent discs and flip them to your color. But proper strategy is more complex than you might think. Smart Othello makes the game enjoyable while improving your play.
Features:
• Five levels of computer play, from novice to master.
• Real-time matches using Game Center.
• Achievements and leaderboards to challenge you.
• Blunder Guard to keep you from making bad mistakes.
• Random openings that give both players an equal chance.
• Hint, undo, and easy game replay.
• Collection of games by top players for replay and study.
Smart Othello was created by the 1992 US Othello Champion, who also developed the acclaimed SmartGo apps for the game of Go.
Othello® is a registered trademark of MegaHouse Corporation. Used with permission.

Ratings & Reviews

4.6 out of 5 with 504 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 4+

Smart Othello is designed for players who take the game of Reversi seriously. It features an AI engine capable of challenging even the strongest players, while still offering lower difficulty settings for beginners. The app emphasizes learning and improvement, providing a move-by-move analysis and a searchable database of professional games. With its clean, minimalist design and responsive touch controls, Smart Othello provides a premium experience for anyone looking to master this classic 'minute to learn, a lifetime to master' board game.

Features

World-class AI with adjustable difficulty

Full game analysis and move suggestions

Database of over 100,000 professional games

Clean, high-resolution minimalist graphics

Undo/Redo functionality for tactical experimentation

Tips

The Power of the Corners

In Othello, corners are the only stable pieces that can never be flipped back. Focus on controlling the 'C-squares' and 'X-squares' (the spots right next to the corners) to force your opponent into giving you the corner advantage.

Promotion Videos

NT Live: Othello | Official trailer - YouTube

News on this game

How Google Works by Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg – review

This book by Eric Schmidt, the company's former CEO, and Jonathan Rosenberg, an adviser to the current CEO Larry Page, is a carefully designed PR exercise.

The Guardian - Mon May 11 2015

Gameplays

Mobility Strategy

Rather than trying to flip as many stones as possible early on, focus on 'mobility.' Try to make moves that limit your opponent's options while keeping your own options open. This often involves keeping your stone count low until the late game.