iOS, Android •
I first heard of Tim Fowers back when Wok Star was released way back in 2010. It was a cooperative game that didn’t follow the standard Pandemic formula of “take your turn then pull a card and see what terrible stuff happens”. Instead, the game used a timer and players played simultaneously, trying to keep the restaurant running smoothly. Since then, he’s become a powerhouse designer, running his own publishing digs and putting out games that don’t fit into the standard mold set by previous titles. For example, Paperback took the well-worn mechanisms of Dominion, but put them into a word game which, somehow, made deck-building fun!
What really separates him, however, is that he learned a long time ago that digital board games are pretty cool and, as of now, has released both Paperback and Burgle Bros. onto mobile. Soon we’ll get their third title on our phones and tablets, a sequel of sorts to Paperback appropriately titled, Hardback.
Hardback is a prequel to Paperback in terms of theme. Where paperback focused on writing mid-20th century pulp, Hardback adds some sophistication and feels more like a Jane Austen romp. Of course, in both you’re just trying to make the biggest words you can, but the difference in presentation gives each game a different feel.
It’s not just the graphics, however. When it comes to mechanisms, Hardback is clearly a sequel to its pulpy sister. There’s a lot more going on here, with cards having multiple benefits including some that are based on a theme. For example, there’s a “Z” that gives you extra points and coins if used with other Horror letters. Those would be letters marked with a skull, so not only are you looking to pick up letters to make better words, you’re also looking to collect cards of similar types so you can combo them together. There’s also the fact that points are located on letter cards themselves now, instead of the Dominion-style scoring of Paperback where you purchase “books” for their point values and wildcard status. Here, any card can be a wildcard, but it loses its special abilities when you flip it over.
There’s also ink, which can be purchased and spent on later turns to allow you to draw more cards. Be warned, however, that the cards drawn using ink have to be part of the word you spell. You can’t hide them in your hand if they don’t fit in with other letters.
On top of all that, there are also letters you play which stay in play for the rest of the game, giving you benefits each and every turn. You can remove your opponent’s permanent letters by using them in your words, however. You get no benefit from the letter, but at least you’ve removed its benefits to your neighbor.
Hardback is a more complicated game than Paperback, and I haven’t played enough to know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing. Starting out, the differences were a bit shocking and trying to piece together an early word and picking the right card to add to my deck was daunting. Considering my preference for complex games, however, I’m guessing I’ll be a bigger fan of Hardback once I wrap my head around it.
I had heard about the Android beta last week, but the iOS beta invites were only sent out today. What that means for a release date, I’m not sure. I will say that the beta is very polished already, with multiple levels of AI, variants, and online multiplayer already in the game. If I can pry a release date out of Mr. Fowers, I’ll be sure to pass it along.
I like Paperback and am a bit skeptical about a more complex version. I’ll stay open-minded, though. I just wish the Paperback multiplayer ran a little smoother. I don’t remember what, exactly, I didn’t like about it, but it had something strange to it, like it logged you out after your turn or something. Certainly not Playdek-smooth.
No, but I think Fowers does their own ports and it’s a small 1-2 person setup, so I’m willing to cut them some slack.
Oh, me, too, which is why my wife and I still play it frequently, but a guy can wish.