Mysterium Apparates to iOS

Mysterium (iOS app version)

Designed by Oleksandr Nevskiy and Oleg Sidorenko

App Implementation by Asmodee Digital
Supports Solo Play (Story Mode) and Online Multiplayer
Social Deduction Game

I have always heard a lot about Mysterium the board game, and yet I never got a chance to ever play it...until now! So, this review is from a fresh and new perspective of the game via introduction through the app. The game reminds me a bit of Dixit or Codenames, where you are trying to get others to guess information one person has. You may or may not have good cards to work with, but it is up to the Ghost in this game to try and connect some random pictures with important clues such as who is the killer, where it happened, and with what. Classic murder mystery with a very interesting ambiance and story. I think the theme fits well into the game. The game itself is very fun. I like the artwork and challenge that the cards provide. It can be very frustrating to have a hand of cards as the Ghost and feel like nothing really fits, but there is some enjoyment in the challenge as well.

The app interface is pretty great! Everything is pretty intuitive and it makes for very quick games. The app features a magnifying glass that allows a closer look at the cards, vital for some "visions" to be understood. The games tutorial is well done, I don't see any real big issues. I haven't experienced any crashing of the app or anything, so it seems to be working well with no noticeable bugs I have encountered. The story mode provides a nice little storyline to go with some solo games. I was addicted to it and played probably 8 or 10 times one after the other. The AI is not perfect and can be frustrating, but let's be honest - there are some humans we play with that arnt much better. The goal is still the same, but not knowing all the ins and outs of the AI programming, I imagine they created a probability of one card being matched to another. It works. I am enjoying it anyway.

There are a few options for online play provided and I am so glad they included this option as the game shines with playing with other humans. I have tested out the play with my wife and it worked very well. It's nice that with this app you can get friends together and play even when you are scattered around geographically. I wish the online featured a password protected or private games. This would be a great addition. As far as I could tell, I had to create the game and then have others join quickly before someone else joined in.

I really enjoy Mysterium as experienced from my iOS phone. I suspect it will only get better with time. The other thing I noted was a small number of people online using the app. I imagine this will grow with time and popularity. They also already have an expansion available with an in-app purchase. (I haven't bought the expansion yet, but it is only a matter of time I think.) Overall, the game is well done and I like the mechanics. The app is well made and provides a great experience to the game. After many many many plays, I could see some of the game feeling old as you see the same cards over and over again (thus the expansion would be nice), but for now, I will continue to enjoy Mysterium via my iOS app! If you like games like Codenames or Dixit, definitely try out Mysterium and if you like the board game version of Mysterium, I think you will enjoy the app - just get your friends and relatives on board as well and that is How Lou Sees It!

Colt Express Steams to Digital Formats Today!

Check out the official press release about the digital version of the popular game Colt Express!

Enter the Wild West with Colt Express as the Digital Adaption of the Award-Winning Board Game Steamrolls iOS, Android, and PC Today (11/28/16).

6 Characters, 30 Single Player Chapters, and Online Multiplayer Bring Hours of Fun to the Role of a Train Robbing Bandit in this Turn-Based Strategy Game.

Paris – November 28, 2016 - Asmodee Digital, an international publisher and distributor of digital games, in collaboration with Frima Studios, a leader in the entertainment and innovation industry, announce that Colt Express is now available for iOS, Android, and PC.

Colt Express is a digital version of the Spiel des Jahres and Ace d’Or award-winning board game which has sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide, and players can now pick up the turn-based strategy game on their favorite mobile device for $6.99, or on PC via Steam for $9.99.

Colt Express takes players to the Wild West where they must practice good strategy, with the use of cards, to maneuver around a train to collect as much loot as possible. There’s an extensive single player mode that features six unique bandits, each with their own goals and challenges, and 30 graphic novel stylized chapters – 5 per character. There are also exclusive game variants to unlock in the story mode that drive the train robbing action even further.

Players can also take their train robbing tactics online to compete with other thieves through online multiplayer and worldwide leaderboards that update in real-time. To make playing against friends easier, there is a Friend’s List option that enables users to add others to their list so they can choose to challenge them at anytime, anywhere.

“We’re thrilled to bring the wild west to mobile and PC gamers with the release of the new digital version of the award-winning Colt Express board game.” said Remi Hanesse, Product Manager at Asmodee Digital. “We can’t wait for digital outlaws to start scheming their way to lots of loot in the game’s extensive single player story mode and online multiplayer mode.”

Colt Express can be downloaded from the following links:
App Store Link: https://itunes.apple.com/fr/app/colt-express/id1140513212?mt=8
Google Play Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.asmodeedigital.coltexpress&hl=us
Steam Link: http://store.steampowered.com/app/534360

Description
Colt Express, the famous train robbery game and Spiel des Jahres winner, is coming to digital. In Colt Express, players plot step-by-step actions with cards that move them around the train, take down other players, and pick up loot. After the scheming phase, dive into the action to take the most loot from the wagons. There is not enough for everyone, and a marshal is guarding the train so soon enough, bullets do the talking. Players must rethink their strategies on the move in this fast-paced game. Playable solo or with friends worldwide in multiplayer.

Key Features
·       A wild west-themed universe, inspired by the original board game and digitally modernized
·       Tactical and action-packed gameplay, for intense and unpredictable games
·       An extensive story mode: 6 characters through 30 chapters, each with their own goals
·       Many exciting and exclusive game variants to unlock in story mode
·       Online multiplayer mode with an exclusive to digital rules variant
·       Worldwide leaderboard, updated and available in real-time
·       A friends list that allows challenges anytime, anywhere

Social Media
https://twitter.com/AsmodeeDigital/
https://www.facebook.com/asmodeeDigital/
https://www.instagram.com/asmodeedigital/
https://twitter.com/FrimaStudios
https://www.facebook.com/frimastudios/

About Asmodee Digital
Asmodee Digital, a fully owned subsidiary of the Asmodee Group, is an international publisher and distributor of digital games with operations located in Europe, North America, and China. Asmodee Digital manages the creation, design, development, publishing and marketing of board and card games on leading digital platforms for Asmodee studios (Days of Wonder, Fantasy Flight Games) as well as for third party publishers. The Asmodee Digital catalogue includes best-selling digital games such as Ticket to Ride, Splendor, Small World 2, Mysterium, Potion Explosion, Mr Jack Pocket and digital versions of many other well-known board games.

About Ludonaute
Ludonaute is a French publisher of board games, based in Istres. Founded in 2009 by a pair of school teachers that are passionate about games, the company has published 11 titles to date. At first keeping their activities confined to the French market, the distribution of Ludonaute games quickly became global. Today, Ludonaute’s products are sold in 24 countries over three continents (Europe, Asia, North America) in more than 20 languages. Ludonaute’s editorial focus could be defined as: "Games that tell stories". The themes developed by Ludonaute summon imagination and mythology to transport players into unique playful universes.
Ludonaute’s published library includes:
-  Yggdrasil (cooperative tabletop game based on Nordic myths)
-  Crimebox Investigation (investigative game taking place in a "NCIS" universe)
-  Lewis & Clark (tabletop card management game based on the Lewis & Clark expedition)
-  The Little Prince - Make me a planet (a tile management game based on the classic little Prince license) The Ludonaute games have received many game awards in France and abroad. The most prestigious of these awards (Spiel des Jahres in Germany) was awarded in 2015 to Colt Express, a turn-based trainrobbing card game published in 2014.

About Frima Studios
Frima ( www.frimastudio.com) is a leader in the entertainment and innovation industry. Since its creation in 2003, the company has developed a wide range of digital products, from video games to visual effects to animation. Frima’s know-how also includes virtual reality, augmented reality, and connected toys. In addition to working in close collaboration with such prominent partners as LEGO, Mattel, Oddworld, Zynga, Ubisoft, Hasbro, and Electronic Arts, Frima’s original property division has released several hit titles, the likes of Chariot, Nun Attack, Zombie Tycoon, and FATED. With over 400 industry professionals on-board, the studio launches high-quality products that stand out both artistically and technologically.