Review: Press Your Luck

Overview

Press Your Luck is based on the 80’s game show of the same name with Big Bucks and Whammies. The game begins with four trivia questions with each one having four multiple choice options, and correct answers are awarded with spins. If you answer in first and correctly it’s worth 3 spins, and if you get the correct answer after someone else rings in it’s worth 1 spin. After the trivia round it’s time for the big board full of prizes and whammies where the light flashes around squares, and you tap to stop it. If you land on a whammy you lose all your earnings, and with four whammies it’s game over. Then the second round repeats the format of the first round, and once all spins are complete the person with the most money wins.

Features

The game features two gameplay modes giving you single player or party mode. Single player mode is a little different than any other game show game on the iPhone by providing 16 different shows to play. The opponents become more difficult as you progress from show to show. Party Mode allows you to play with one or two friends, but only on the same device with no online connectivity. You have a customizable avatar, and you can unlock more items with earnings from the single player mode.

The Good

This is the classic Press Your Luck game show now on your iPhone. The app puts you right in the show with the same announcer doing the voice over. The games are quick and fun of guessing trivia that is easy, and spinning that classic board. The set up of the single player mode is well done giving you sixteen different games of increasing difficulty. It's nice to have a level system added to the traditional game show. Just be sure not to have to play the same level again as there will be the same questions. There’s no doubt as you’re playing the chant will rise from your lips, “C’mon Big Bucks, Big Bucks, No Whammies, and STOP!” It's great to actually earn spins, and go to the big board to press your luck. Granted most of the feeling is taken away as you're playing for nothing, but it's still has some fun. If you've ever watched the show the nostalgia feel will be instantaneous, and will be there for a while. The game is nicely designed with the authentic look of the set, the board, and whammy animations. The music is also straight from the game show immersing you in the experience.

The Bad

The biggest problem is that the game is based on luck, but playing against the computer takes all the randomness and luck out of the equation. At the end of the game almost every single game I played, I got a whammy while the computer opponent never does. On top of that the computer opponents are much too easy in the trivia round so they hardly ever get right answers, and the questions themselves are as easy as can be. Despite no skill in the trivia round they always get money on the big board, and you get whammies. Also the set up of the single player gives you the varying shows, but if you replay shows you face the same questions which is boring to say the least. When you play different shows there are always new questions, but replaying after losing is extremely painful. Party mode is another problem because if you only have one friend to play with it’s a two player game rather than filling in the third spot with a computer opponent. Also party mode is restricted to one device with no wireless connectivity. You and two friends are cramped around one iPhone/iPod Touch to see who taps in first. There are occasional freezes in the game that takes about a minute to pick back up. Another problem is that there is no save system so you lose all progress if you exit for any reason. The game just isn't very fun when you keep losing. As the best example I was leading by more than $5000 which is the biggest denomination on the board, so I passed my last spin only for my opponent to get double their money, and win.

The Verdict

Press Your Luck is a definite disappointment as there is really no redeeming quality. The three words that come to mind when playing this game are frustrating, annoying, and painful. Wether it’s playing the same game with the same questions, losing right at the end of the game every time, or having it freeze consistently on you. For $2.99 Press Your Luck is not worth it, as it's too hard to put up with the freezing, boring repetitive questions, and losing right at the end.

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