Blue Moon is a traditional card game where you choose from one of several decks and then play against the AI. There are 8 decks that you can use and play against. The AI is very sophisticated and uses neural networks. (Download links are at the bottom of the page.)
Another traditional card game (from the same programmer) is Race for the Galaxy. Instead of having individual decks, both player draw from the same deck. (Download links are at the bottom of the page.)
While this next program isn't a card game, it has many related elements. Carcassonne is a board game where you draw a game piece and build town and roads. The rules are very simple while mastering those rules is challenging.
After you draw a random board piece you have to add it to the current map while keeping all roads and cities connected, which restricts you from adding a piece anywhere that you want to. After you place your map piece, you may put a settler on that piece. The program has a good AI and lets you play against one or more AI opponents. The programmer also lets you play against other people on the Internet and writing network code is never easy.
All three of these games are quite good and will consume many hours. Please tell me if you happen to beat the AI in any of these three games.
Blue Moon
Windows Executable
GTK Library (required)
Rules
Programmer Homepage
Race for the Galaxy
Windows Executable
Rules
Programmer Homepage - Also has a Mac OS X version that you can download.
Carcassonne
JCloisterZone - requires Java
Programmer Homepage
Keep on forging (my new catch phrase),
mtgrares
I'd like to point out that Blue Moon is actually quite simple (players must essentially bid higher and higher cards). Race for the Galaxy is indeed a more complex card game, but its rules are nowhere as detailed and complex as those of Magic, whose ~200 page of Comprehensive Rules are hard to beat!
ReplyDeleteI have the cardboard version of carcasonne very entertaining to play with family. The trick that usually works is making alot of farmers (I spose that's what they're called) though they give you no points when you place them they can give a massive points boost at the end of the game.
ReplyDeleteHey forge,
ReplyDeleteI really like the way how you support other tcgs as well. It's not like you claim your program as the one and only. Don't know if other programmers would do this as well. And therefore kudos to you !!!
Thanks for pointing out jcloisterzone. Me and my wife absolutely love Carcassonne, and I would never would have known a java app existed without this little post.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I've been following MTG forge for as long as this site has been up. Love the work you guys have been doing.
Other people's programs are always impressive (well if I like the program, it is impressive). Programming is always hard, so I can see the time and effort that they have spent.
ReplyDeleteI found all three programs on boardgamegeek.com forums. I'm sure that they mention other good computer programs, you just have to sort through the posts.
stcrowe - "Also, I've been following MTG forge for as long as this site has been up. Love the work you guys have been doing."
ReplyDeleteThanks, Forge has turned out to be a great project that people enjoy using. It has really been a great experience all around and I would suggest that people should start their own projects (which people have).
Magic is also a great game and good "source material" :)
@Forge: There is a whole list devoted to computer versions of card or board games, on BoardGameGeek: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/8323/item/580181#item580181
ReplyDelete@EOL: Yeah, that is where I found the three programs. These three programs were the best of the bunch that I've found so far but I'm sure that there are other good programs hidden in there.
ReplyDeleteRight on! I've been a rftg and Carcasonne player for years now, good recommendations and keep up the good work!
ReplyDelete