I’ve always been a big player of games. Ever since I can remember the holidays would involve me playing a lot of Monopoly, Cluedo or some other board game. Then later, I discovered arcade games. I put loads of money into games such as Green Beret, Elevator Action and Mr. Do!.

Sometime after that, I saved up lots of money and bought myself a home computer. I played so many games on that, I broke the keyboard.

However, even in the modern day with vast, twisting plots, beautifully realised 3D environments and truly terrifying action I still yearn to play board games.

The downside is that most people I am friends with are not based in my part of the world. This means I very rarely get to play board games. So, sometimes I play them in computer form.

Friday afternoon, I ran across a link to a game called iConquer. I grabbed a copy and played it that evening. The evaluation copy allows you to play it ten times before you have to pay for it. I stumped up my cash within the hour, I couldn’t stop playing it.

The maps and plugins are all very clever, and not having to roll dice over and over and over and over is just a blessed relief. The computer AI is okay, if not wonderful. It can make for a challenging game at times, but mostly it’s just a matter of time. Either that, or I am a great Risk gamer. Hmm. Anyway, it’s also possible to play over a network or the internet if you’d like to play against some other humans.

In summary, I would recommend this game to anyone who is a fan of the board game Risk, and fancies plaing a quick game on their computer or with people who aren’t anywhere nearby.

• ★★★★★
• July 9th, 2006

Other, older reviews

• Review on the Mac Mind
• Review on About This Particular Macintosh