Playing on the iPad 3 - looks very good on 2x mode. If you like this game don't let the iPhone version make you shy away.
Seconded... Also, I play on iPad, I like all my board game apps on iPad with a design that takes advantage of that. I also have to agree with the comment a page back about some of these translations removing the board from board games... Having everything compact is nice, but I like the feel of playing a board game in digital form and not a streamlined game in graphical spreadsheet form to the point it loses that aesthetic board game feel. I guess that makes me a board game snob or purist but for me personally, I'd like to have a board to actually play on... Or at least a virtual one!
I'm playing on a retina iPad, and generally dislike playing iPhone apps at 2X. I'm admittedly a bit of a snob when it comes to the sharpness and clarity of apps. There's always that twinge of disappointment when I boot up Lost Cities on it. But I have to say, maybe due to the art style, this is the best looking 2X app I've played on my device. You can still tell it's a 2X app (it's a little blurrier than a native retina app, and of course the screen is cropped), but I am surprised at how well it holds up. On my wife's iPad 2, on the other hand, it doesn't look so great. Much of the text is very difficult to read, and of course, the assets are blurry. But if you have a retina-enabled iPad, I think you'll be sufficiently happy with how this one looks until they come out with a formal universal build. While I generally think this is a great adaption of the game, but there is one big annoyance. It could be due to me playing it 2X on my iPad, but when I drag a worker to the board, it doesn't appear directly under my finger (as I'd expect) but about an inch behind it. I have to make accommodations when dragging/dropping, and it's resulted in a few misplaced workers. Wouldn't be as big of deal if the game had an "Undo" function. Note I haven't tried playing on my iPhone yet, so not sure if that issue persists on it's "native" device. Anyone else experiencing a similar issue?
This game implementation is top-notch I totally recommend it! Seriously I still have to play online but the use of the small iPhone screen is amazing!
If you like board games at all I would absolutely say get Caylus. My opinion is a bit biased because Caylus is one of favorite games, and the app does an excllent job of recreating it. Of course it is a Euro game, worker placement, with some of the same flavour as Stone Age. Although it's complex for some and may take a little bit to learn, not too much though I don't feel the Carcassone exp. add much value for the cost. With Caylus you get a whole new game, plus you can still play Carc and get the expansion another time. Edit: Although Caylus does go on sale periodically I believe for 2.99 or something. So you may wanna Watch List it, still worth every penny at 4.99
Yeah, while some iPhone retina games can pull 2x off on a iPad retina display, I have yet to see an iPhone retina game making a smooth transition to 2x on a non-retina iPad. Sometimes they can almost pull it off until some text comes up and it all falls apart. I'm also willing to bet WoP's issue is in large part due to being played on an iPad as I believe I've seen that being an issue in other 2x games where the swipe/drag aspects don't translate quite right onto the bigger screen. I think they did a stellar job of converting the game to iOS so I think my one whine then is more with the actual game design itself. While the game has some 4 different material resources (that is, not counting food), it seems like it does little to really distinguish them. I mean, for the most part, if something costs 3 resources you can use any you have available. The only real difference between lowly wood and rare gold is their relative difficulty to obtain. It isn't like wood is key for making structures and gold for trade purposes or anything.
There are some games that pull it off being played in 2X zoom on a retina iPad, but I agree for the most part with your sentiment. That's why I have yet to buy some games I really want(Lost Cities mentioned earlier in the tread is one). I feel like I am somehow being a snob for such standards, but it really is off putting...
I fired up the game on my iPhone to see if that "finger offset" issue still exists (it does), though on the iPhone it makes more sense and see why the dev put it in that way. Playing this on such a tiny screen, your finger covers up a lot of area, so the offset helps you see where you're placing your little guy. So while it makes sense from a design standpoint for the device it was intended to play on, it works a little funny when blown up on the iPad. I'm sure it'll get rectified as part of the universal build. You eventually get used to it, so it becomes less of an issue. Still want that "Undo" button though
How does the solo AI feel? Does it seem like it'll always be a decent challenge? I'm pretty interested in this port, but I'm sadly not much of an online player.
On iPad3, 2x is still very beautiful, but I will not miss it when it goes universal. Still learning the ropes. Looks easier to pick up than San Juan and La Havre and it is fun. The AI always take the mating hut at first chance and I cannot tell if it is good or not. I think I need to look more about the boats cause it seems that it holds the key to winning.
Now that it's finally out in Germany and I got around to play it on my iPad 2, I can only recommend anybody interested to wait for the universal update! While it is absolutely no problem for me to play many iPhone apps like Lost Cities in 2x mode, Stone Age's pixelated and grainy text really hurts the eye. Ouch! I think even in iPhone mode it's not really a joy. Did they have beta testers?
I test it on wifie's Mini and at 2x it looks fine and of course, retina on iPad3 is shiny. It is easier to grasp and more fun to play than (not necessary better) than Le Havre and such. P.S. bug fix version out last night (my time) but it is yet to be universal.