I knew that this was going to be a great game when I first learnt from Sammy that Astraware were going to produce a great set of Casino games and boy, I wasn't wrong, Astraware Casino is a real winner (well hopefully you will bethe winner). The new game from Astraware is based on the Las Vegas casinos, and offers the player 8 different games to choose from based on a gamblers dream. Each game is played with virtual money so there’s no reason to get scared and put your life savings on the roulette.
Each game is described to you before you play them so that you have a clear understanding of what the games objective is and how best to beat your opponents whether it be the dealer or the other virtual players around you.
Out of the games I have to say that the slot machine was my most visited. Being an ex-gambler, I do understand these games quite well; however I find that now I am more into games which are based on luck, such as the gambling based games.
With games such as “Texas Hold ‘em” it can be quite easy to get worked up over as you are wondering whether the other players have better cards than you and why the person opposite you at the table are betting higher stakes. It can all get a bit overwhelming; however I found that with virtual money it was not so much of a worry whether you lost out at a hand. This was my view in the beginning anyway. The game seems to take on a whole new turn as you see you bank balance increase with each win, and a computer generated character sat at the poker table becomes your worst enemy. Each loss to them is a victory to you and you can’t help feeling a little bit of triumph even though your bank balance did not overcome all!
Roulette was also enjoyable to play, however the board was small and I found that I struggled to place the chip onto the individual square and ended giving up and placing the piece in between and betting at a lower stake.
The graphics on this game however are extremely detailed and playing them is a pleasure to do so. I found myself engrossed within the “Texas Hold ‘em” games and the slot machine. The slots are so enjoyable, even though I don’t really understand it to be more than 4 or 3 symbols in a line, but then you can bet 9 lines, and the symbols seem to just appear in a line and you can win £120 as I did, and didn’t really understand! All the better for me though as my bank balance increased, ever more confusing me on the slot machine concept!
The more you play the games, the more prizes you receive and a section called the Souvenir Suitcase is where all your goodies are kept to remind you of your wins and triumphs within certain games. Win black jack with the jack and an ace and receive a pair of black jack cufflinks, virtual obviously! Then for each high win you receive you are allowed access to silver and gold chips, to make the other virtual players that little bit more vulnerable when they see the challenges and wins you bring to the table.
Astraware Casino will include 8 games, Texas Hold ‘Em Limit Poker, Baccarat, Video Poker, Craps, Video Keno, Slots, Roulette, and Blackjack. It will be available from this week and retails for $19.95. The game is available for Palm OS® 5 devices. At present it will only display in 320x320 resolution, but can also be played on 320x480 and 480x320 devices with borders. The game is also available for Windows Mobile® 2003, 2003SE, 5 and 6 devices with and without touchscreens. It supports 240x240, 240x320, 320x240, 480x640 and 640x480 resolutions. Full instructions are included should you not have played the games before.
In conclusion this is a superb and enjoyable game to play and definitely one to keep on your mobile device to keep you entertained. I will warn you that the game is addictive and will bring out the gambling in you. Even though the money is not real you cannot help but get excited. As always Astraware introduce their magic to the superb games they introduce and Astraware Casino is no exception and thats why this game deserves a full 10 out of 10 bringing out those addictive gamblers we all have in us! http://www.astraware.com/