Carrom MP (iPad)
Price: $0.99
Size: 2.1 MB
Developer: Geodesic Technology Solutions
Requirements: iPad, iOS 4.2
Pros: Slick controls; Decent graphics; Nice physics; Good value for money.
Cons: Mediocre sound effects; Slight performance issues.
Rating: 3.5/5
I still fondly remember my summer vacations in Nagpur as a kid. Back then, I had truckloads of fun playing all sorts of indoor games with my cousins, due to the heat outside being practically unbearable. Of course, one of those games was carrom, an indoor sport very popular in India.
I grew up, technology advanced, and nostalgia finally hits back. Carrom has now been miniaturised to be played on a tablet - more specifically, the iPad. The game is called Carrom MP, made by Geodesic. Let's see whether it has the same charm and appeal of the original.
On With The Game!
Carrom MP offers three different game modes - Solo, One-on-One, and Doubles. The best one is undoubtedly Doubles mode, in which you can play as a team with two players on each side.
Before the game starts, each player is given an option to enter their name and select a striker style. There is also a help page for people to learn how to play the game.
The controls are relatively simple and easy to pick up. To take a shot, the player needs to place their finger on the striker, pull it backwards, and release. The intensity of the shot is dependent on how far you pull back. A particularly nice touch is that the game draws a grey band that represents the trajectory of the shot.
The app plays by the standard carrom rules, and runs very smoothly. However, playing for a prolonged period introduces slight framing \ lag issues.
Queen And Cover
Carrom MP makes for a good pastime with its tight controls and easy learning curve. Visuals are good and the physics is well-designed. The sound is strictly okay though, and could have done with an option for playing background music from your song collection.
The game is a lot of fun when you are with friends, and to some extent it does have the same charm and appeal as the original. In short, an excellent way to spend a lazy afternoon bringing back some old, fun memories.
Gameplay And Design: 4/5
Graphics: 3/5
Sound: 3/5
Mojo: 4/5
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
