Review: Arcade Solitaire: TriTowers

Overview

Arcade Solitaire: TriTowers is just what the name suggests, it brings TriTower/TriPeaks solitaire mixed with arcade flair. Each round is timed, the game is combo score based, and there are unique animations. TriTowers solitaire is similar to golf solitaire where you make runs of cards. You can go 2, 3, 4 or 2, A, K, etc. The cards are set up in three "towers", and you need to clear the lower cards to reveal the higher cards.

Features

The game brings TriTowers solitaire and enhances it. Online high scores are provided using Open Feint, and live online ranking is tracked in game as you progress from level to level. Almost 50 Open Feint achievements are included from reaching a certain ranking to having a certain score or number of cards left. Also included is a leveling system that is based on your overall score. You advance from rookie to trainee to pro to card shark, and even champion with 33 levels in total to achieve. The game begins with two lives, and you can earn up to three by completing rounds with at least five cards left. The occasional wild card is also included.

The Good

Arcade Solitaire excels at bringing fast paced action to the typical slow moving solitaire game. Rather than sitting back, and analyzing your moves, you're going against the clock, and the game is score based. The gameplay is the best aspect of the app. Rather than sitting back, you have to be quick to amp up your score, and finish in time. TriTowers is always fun, and with time constraints and combo scores it amps up the fun. The live online ranking is great to see where you are with your current score. An example: I’m number 80, but I still have two lives left, so here I come high scores. The animations are nice from sparkles flying from a completed tower to "goods" and "greats" hovering above screen as you make combos. The card flow is smooth as are all of the flair effects. As you increase in rank you unlock new backgrounds, and card decks (15 of each) which are all nicely, and uniquely designed. Open Feint online high scores and achievements as well as the ranking system keeps you coming back for more. The game does get addictive, but I've felt it more in many other games. The save system picks up on the round you left off which is a must for a portable game.

The Bad

Only Tri Towers is included which is a problem in comparison to all of the deluxe solitaire apps you can get for the iPhone. Many other apps provided over a hundred types of solitaire games obviously including Tri Towers. Also this is more of a suggestion than a problem. It would be great to see more bonus cards, and just more arcade features. Also more flashing, and sound effects to really add to the arcade feel. The game gets repetitive after awhile with no variability even from round to round.

The Verdict

Arcade Solitaire: Tri Towers is the best version of Tri Towers in the App Store, but that can only achieve so much. The scoring system, time constraints, flair, and online high scores present solitaire in a whole new way. It’s too bad this is only Tri Peaks when there are a bunch of other Solitaire apps having tons of modes. Overall this game is worth it, but is only Tri Towers.

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