Game Reviews

vConqr

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vConqr
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Invading well-defended territory is a bad idea. Rushing into a line of armed infantry, machine gun nests, and tanks aiming at your line isn't the best tactic. You're going to get shot and it's going to hurt. Not only does vConqr run directly into enemy sights, but it ties its own hands behind its back.

vConqr shameless rips Risk from reality into the virtual space. Up to six players - any desired mix of friends or computer-controlled players - can compete for world domination.

It all happens on one handset, each commander taking turns to deploy military units on a cordoned map and assaulting adjacent territories. Winning is a simple matter of eliminating the competition and seizing every territory on the map.

Too many corners have been cut. vConqr not only fails to appropriately mimic its source, but also falters as an effective strategy game. Missing gameplay elements and a lack of features cripple it.

vConqr doesn't even bother to follow the same rules as said boardgame, let alone execute its touchscreen play with any panache.

Take the start of a game. Territories are automatically doled out: you're not given any control over what territories you possess and how many armies are deployed at the outset. Arbitrarily assigning possession instead of allowing you to take turns with your buddies (or the computer) to select territories is a poor move.

Battles, which depend on the role of invisible dice, are even stripped of that. Attacking a neighbouring state takes a tap of the desired offensive nation and its adjacent target. No frills here: there's no animation to show the fake dice rolling, no animation of the battle, and amazingly enough no exciting icon for the units in play.

Instead, you get to witness two circled numbers tick down in the centre of each territory. Oh, the thrill of battle!

Even the din of combat is absent. vConqr offers no music or sound effects to highlight your struggle for world domination. It's an inexcusable oversight that exemplifies the shoddy effort to replicate the classic board game.

At the very least, some clicks to let you know you've selected a territory or highlighted a menu options are needed.

Other omissions include network play, alternative rules, and extra maps. vConqr provides none of these, limiting play to one world map with a single set of rules on your handset. wi-fi would be great, but supporting local multiplayer would amplify the game's value. Throwing in a few different maps couldn't hurt and wouldn't take much time either.

Going for the bloody frontal assault instead of a wiser flanking manoeuvre, vConqr sets its sights on Risk and ends up shooting itself in the face.

Introducing variations on the classic game with unique features and creative additions could have made it a worthwhile purchase. Unfortunately, vConqr is anything but.

vConqr

Don't risk wasting your money on this poorly-conceived clone that lacks features and lasting value
Score
Tracy Erickson
Tracy Erickson
Manning our editorial outpost in America, Tracy comes with years of expertise at mashing a keyboard. When he's not out painting the town red, he jets across the home of the brave, covering press events under the Pocket Gamer banner.