3 in 1 Classic Games

When it comes to multi-game packages, you have to wonder whether the publisher in question simply happens to be in a generous mood, or whether it actually believes each game on its own wouldn't be strong enough to make the sale.

3 in 1 Classic Games probably falls somewhere between the two. The three games on offer here – Backgammon, Ludo and Yam – certainly lend themselves to the match up. Their dice-based play essentially acts as the glue, but it'd also be fair to say that none of the three would be especially compelling as a solo act.

This is very much a package for those who like their traditional boardgames and like them en masse.

As a result, it's fair to say none of the games is especially user friendly. Each one – available to play solo or in a group of up to four – is viewed from an isometric perspective. This means the action takes place at a distance, with the rules and regulations similarly minimal.

Leaping to the help files for aid is fairly fruitless, the instructions contained doing a better job of confusing the issue than setting the aims of play out straight.

Regardless, for those who know what they're doing 3 in 1 Classic Games does a fairly proficient job of giving them an appropriate environment in which to play out one or more of the games on offer.

In each, the '5' key tends to be the weapon of choice, throwing the die when prompted. Navigation then becomes the key, with '2', '4', '6' and '8' moving the cursor around the screen when you need to, for instance, choose which horse to take charge of in Ludo, or which die to stick and twist with in Yam.

It's Yam that's probably the weakest fit, with the controls feeling a touch fiddly when it comes to picking and choosing.

Nonetheless, on the whole 3 in 1 Classic Games plays out in functional, if unspectacular, fashion. There's certainly little fanfare to proceedings, even if the game randomly resembles some sort of giant's playground.

Regardless of this, if Backgammon, Ludo or Yam is your bag, 3 in 1 Classic Games is an adequate playground, but it does depressingly little to sell any of the games on offer to newcomers.