I mean it. Curse you, Konami!
These are the same folks who gave us Yu-Gi-Oh!, Metal Gear Solid, Castlevania, Dance Dance Revolution, Beatmania, Lethal Enforcers, and the list goes on. They have been MASTERS at creating fun and addictive, very addictive, games for the past three decades.
In the vein of Yu-Gi-Oh!, those devious minds at Konami have created a mobile game app that has me extremely addicted – Swords & Poker.
First, I must mention that Konami’s version is a really a reboot that combines a monster fighting adventure with a good ol’ fashioned game of poker. Gaia released the original Sword & Poker back in 2010 as well as a sequel. But, Gaia is apparently no more. So, Konami picked up the mantle and ran with it.
Deal Some Death
Unlike many other card adventure games, you are not collecting cards with monsters and magic on them, but rather you are fighting monsters using magic and a classic poker deck.
This makes game play pretty simple and straight-forward. There’s little to learn except the basic game mechanics. If you know how to play poker with wild cards, then you are half-way home.
Your valiant warrior plunges into the richly graphic world to face monsters at nearly every turn. And each seems to know how to play poker. You meet on the field of battle (left), where the strength of your poker playing determines how well you swing your weapon and defend yourself.
The 5 x 5 playing field is where you lay your attacks in 5-Card poker hand style, using existing cards on the field. It’s kinda’ like Texas Hold’em in that you use only 2 of your hole cards to make a hand (horizontally, vertical and diagonally).
In this instance, the option would be to play the 3 and another card down the center to form a pair of 3’s. The strength of the hand then does damage to the monster you’re fighting. You must drive their health to 0 to win the battle.
Adventure is in the Cards
Traveling the various areas and encountering all kinds of baddies, you pick up treasure and loot. This can then be used to buy increased health, special magic or better weapons.
You work your way across an area to the Exit on the far end. There are various options you can go, if you’re willing to take a risk for some extra reward.
Treasure chests contain random goodies, usually precious metal that’s cashed in for coins if you survive and escape the whole area. Failure means you have to start the area all over again, so taking a risk can bite you.
Cashing Out
As the monsters get tougher, the paths get longer and travel gets more difficult, you can always go shopping.
Stop in and pick up the latest weapons, shields, magic spells, or increase your total health (which I recommend maxing as soon as you can).
It would have been nice if you could sell off old gear, BUT in the case of weapons you may want to hold onto older ones as you go. Some weapons have weapon effects that could be more effective against certain enemies, so feel free to swap out as you need.
That brings us back to Konami’s deviousness. A bright and colorful game, free to play, easy to learn and addictive. Downside?
Battle Energy.
You see you only have a limited supply when you play for free. And it runs out kinda’ quick.
Want to keep feeding your addiction?
Sure, go ahead. It’s only $4.99.
Yes, I could add and harass Facebook friends for some, but you know how welcoming that is.
Curse you, Konami. I say again, as I bring out my sack of coins to pay this ransom – Curse you.
Published: Jul 24, 2014 09:09 am