Channel Mahjong and Poker in a New Way with Jan Card

Jan Card: Written & Video Android App Review

The new Jan Card Android app from J’s Avenue is the new mover and shaker in the card games category. This new app combines classic game elements from mahjong and poker, which may not seem like the most logical bed fellows, but the results are pretty extraordinary.

Gameplay

In Jan Card you will be represented by a cute animal cartoon, and so will your competitors. Using that avatar, you will navigate through rounds of game play, featuring two, three or four players. For each game set up there will be different rules for winning the hand, and certain moves you can make along the way to up the ante as it were by challenging your neighbors and arranging your cards just so. You can even win (Jan) by playing off the cards your opponents discard, which is quite satisfying.

The card arrangements and some of the winning hands come straight from the poker rule book, but the subtle maneuvering of mahjong is definitely present as you discard and pull from a deck at the center of the game.

One thing’s for sure, the rules to this game are pretty complicated, and it’s going to take you a while to learn them all. Thankfully the app has a detailed tutorial mode, which although it has great intentions isn’t always the clearest thanks to a rough translation and muddled sentences. As a result, the game is interesting, but a bit hard to get the hang of.

Layout & Design

We definitely like the use of bright colors and cool cartoon avatars for Jan Card. It gives the app a playful air that serves it well. However some scenes, particularly in the tutorial mode, are not set up very clearly. The writing is small and could definitely use some reorganization. While playing, the set up is easy enough, even though the rules are many and varied. Navigating between different boards and levels as you progress is also easily done.

Overall Value

Jan Card is going to set you back $2.99. In a market saturated with poker and mahjong style games, that’s a little more than we’d like to see for an app price. Bringing it down a bit, or having a free, advertisement supported version of the game out there so folks can get used to the gameplay style, would be advantageous.

However, the game is still very smart and challenging, and the kind of game that’s easy to get wrapped up in, once you’ve figured out all the rules. If you like poker or mahjong and feel up to the challenge, Jan Card is definitely an app you need to check out.

 

 

Android Apps Review Details: Jan Card app costs $2.99. This app requires Android 1.6 and up. You may download Jan Card from the Android Market. A small expedite fee was paid by the developer to speed up the publication of this review.

Android App Review, Android Game App Review

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