Customer Reviews

Reel Deal Card Games

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Two stars is perhaps too harsh, however I tend to share a similar view as other initial reviewers. I set very high expectations for Reel Deal Card Games because of the online multiplayer option, which in my book anyway, is a highly desireable feature. Most other games do not (as yet) offer this particular feature. Nevetheless, this all too familiar card games suite (and there are many other competing titles like it, most noteably under "Hoyles" banner) has turned out to be a bit of a disappointment for me also.

First, and foremost, the BIGGEST hit against this product is the needless and antiquated requirement to have the "installer" PC-ROM disc loaded in your DVD/CD-ROM drive to play games. That anti-piracy tactic has been outdated for years, yet this game just got released in 2007!

My favorite game is CRIBBAGE, and the only game that really interested me when I purchased this product. That, and I was really intrigued by the online multiplayer feature, which turns out to be a "catch as catch can" alternative to playing a game (solo) against the computer. Nevertheless, this feature could have justified the purchase, appears to work as advertised, but still leaves a bit more to be desired. The only caveat is that there actually must be other people who want to play the same card game(s) as you, AT THE SAME TIME, and Phantom EFX's online server must be dependable 24/7 - via the Internet - to actually use such a "social" computing feature.

This game has a kind of "cutzie" devilish side. While playing games, there are A.I. computer generated, somewhat animated players that "talk" to you, (more like throw taunts at you), to liven things up a bit. Some of their comments can be kind of humorous, but if they become too obnoxious or distracting, the sound can be adjust lower in volume in the game's menu mode, to shut them up. Their commentary is not essential to play the game. All that you need to know is visually presented in each game, but the "3D" graphics (for a latest generation game) is far from spectacular.

For people who want to "learn" how to play card games, the difficulty level seems well suited for beginners, and there is online instructions to explain the rules of each game.

Maybe this game will grow on me with time, but my first impression was it lacks the rather elusive WOW factor for a "new" game. That, and Reel Deal Card Games probably should be less costly to purchase considering it smacks of a nearly decade old jewel case rendition for a much earlier version of Windows. Three or more stars could well be too generous, but Phantom still deserves an "E" for Effort having developed a card game suite that somewhat "teaches" as well as entertains (including all the standard, plus several common variations), with "extra" features still unavailable in most other games. All of which translates to something more stimulating than merely playing a strickly business, run of the mill, computer card game.

Bought two copies of this game specifically because it had free online play. Well, they have been updating their servers and your account will say expired as soon as you create it. Emailed the company, they gave me ONE day of online play and then wanted $9.99/month to renew when my account expired again the next day. I also found during the one day they gave me that there can be no computer players for empty seats... so for me, playing 4 handed Pinochle (the only option for online play) with my friend entailed waiting for two strangers to join us (and that can take awhile).

If you don't want online play and you can get this for like $5, go for it, otherwise, it is a waste of money. The company also told me they are focusing on their subscription based casino games and don't care to support this product further. Stay away from this game, and this company's products.

I enjoy playing spades most of all, but thats only because Blackjack stopped working after two games and I haven't been able to get it to work again. Also this product comes with no support so there's no one to call and figure out why it doesn't work. Playing new games is confusing because the directions leave out the information that I need to understand the scoring. However, if you only want to play spades its an excellent game and the reason why I gave it three stars. By the way the solitaire is totally confusing.

It's like playing with a two-year-old. The programed players constantly cheat or it adds wrong or just ignores the rules. You can't cheat, but it does. After a very short time it's just no fun. Unless, of course, you like playing with two-year-olds.

Save your money and buy a decent program.

This product is great if you like playing table card games.It has over 75 games. Gives me a challenge with the games I know how to play.Comes with a manual explaining the card games I don't know how to play. I haven't tried the free online(multiplayer)

This is very inferior to the3 Hoyle Card GAmes I also have.

Face it. Unless you can't deal, there isn't a game out there that simulates cards good enough. It is always the same old same old. Are they cheating against me? Why isn't there all kinds of hi score and records files? Why are the ever-changing rules so concretely decided with no options in games like Hearts? And what is the deal with attempting to throw in graphics that just end up ruining the game? Duh: deal real.