Cool and Classic

The Casual Gamer by Jennifer Sandberg

Mahjong Cool and Classic (June 11, 2005)

Most computer gamers have tried their hand at mahjong at least once. It originated as a four player card game, but the solitaire version made it popular. I’m not sure when mahjong first showed up in its familiar computerized form, but technology has made it available to everyone and has made possible numberless themes and variations. Most developers who take a shot at mahjong have added a uniquely themed tile set, but a few adventures souls have pushed the creative limits even more. Take a look at some of the cool variations that indie developers have created to add a little kick to the standard game of mahjong:

Mah Jong Quest

Looking for a little adventure? Mah Jong Quest is full of it, at least in a serene Mah Jong sort of way. It’s a great game and, for me at least, the most enticing of the versions that I sampled. You get to be the hero, a role which I love to play, and you’re on a quest to rescue destroyed cities by winning at Mah Jong. Your character is summoned by cool little creatures who I believe come from the Chinese zodiac. I really looked forward to seeing who I would meet next and what the city would look like. The landscapes in the ruined cities improve with each game that you win and they are scenic and peaceful feeling. The graphics are nicely designed and pleasant to look at, and the music has a mellow oriental sound that fits the mood of the game. The play is a fairly standard version of Mah Jong, but it seems to be expertly crafted (at least in the beginning) to allow even a beginner (me) to feel successful. In addition to the story and tidbits of “ancient Chinese wisdom,” Mah Jong Quest lets you follow your progress on a map, which is something I really enjoy. I suppose that I just like knowing where I am, I don’t like the feeling of being adrift somewhere between board 1 and board 100. Anyway, the map combined with the story has an almost mystical power to lead you through the game. I didn’t want to put it down!

WordJong ™ To Go

WordJong is a fun mahjong/Scrabble Hybrid and they pull off the genetic tweaking quite well. Instead of matching tiles, you have to make words out of the free tiles. As with scrabble, you get more points for larger words, and the Jong genes gives you an arrangement of tiles that forces you to think a few words ahead to make the most effective use of the available letters. It’s a little tricky to use all the letters, but the ‘wild’ tiles make it possible to succeed. At the beginning of the game they provide an excellent explanation of exactly how the game works, and once I got the hang of it, I loved it! WordJong offers a two player mode which makes the game even more challenging because you never know what letters will be gone before your next turn. You also have the option of playing against a computer player which gives you the two-player challenge even if you don’t have a friend handy. WordJong is beginner friendly, but provides a fun challenge on any level, and the educational aspect makes the time you spend playing guilt-free!

Mahjong Towers II

Mahjong Towers II has something for everyone, from the classic to the revolutionary. They have a concentration mode which is a fun challenge, though its not as hard as you might think. I thought it was pretty fun, though I wasn’t really concerned with winning—I just enjoyed trying to find matches. The board editor is a nice addition—editors are always fun to play around with and they seem to do a lot to increase game loyalty and help form communities around the game. Mahjong Towers II has several different tile sets—the most novel being the animated cartoons. They are constantly in motion which I found somewhat distracting at first, though my eye started to pick out matching movements. It’s a fun change of perspective once you get used to it.
My favorite offering of Mahjong Towers II, is the Scramble mode where two unmatched pieces switch places every few seconds. Its fun trying to keep up with everything as the pieces are constantly being moved around. You have to be quick when you spot a match because it could be gone by the time you click on it! Combined with the animated toons, this mode is non-stop action! Well, it’s at least the most action that I’ve ever seen in Mahjong. As a bonus, it seems rather hard to lose in this mode because if you are patient enough, the piece you need will eventually turn up.

Mah Jong Medley

Mah Jong Medley offers four variations on Mah Jong. I spent the most time with ‘Addiction’, a mode where you make runs of nine matched tiles. It’s harder than it sounds. There are rules governing where tiles can be placed and it can be difficult to move the tiles around the way you need to to win. Still, it feels just within reach and I think if I played long enough I might get good at it. Medley also offers a ‘classic’ and ‘free cell’ version and one called ‘Ten Mode’ which requires a little basic math-- instead of matching identical tiles, you can match up any two tiles that add up to ten. It’s a fun little variation and a great skill builder for anyone who needs to brush up on their basic math skills!

Twilight Mahjongg

Do you ever get help when you’re playing a game like mahjong? Well, I do and as much as I enjoy having someone point out matches over my shoulder, I must say that I would rather invite my “helper” to be an official part of the game. This is where Twilight Mahjongg comes to the rescue! You can challenge your back seat driver to play along with you. There are two basic two-player modes: the ‘matchoff’ which sends you racing to collect a required number of tiles in less time than your opponent collects his, and the ‘time challenge’ where you have a set time in which to collect more tiles than your opponent. Within these modes, there are various play styles to choose from, including the memory challenge. Twilight Mahjongg is a great choice for those who like to play with friends, though you can play alone too. And if you want graphics that are a little less traditional, Twilight takes mahjongg from the oriental to the extra-terrestrial. The tiles and the sound effects are space-themed, but it offers more than just a themed variation on mahjongg, there are some pretty cool special features as well. The bonus tiles offer a type of power-up which adds an extra dimension to the standard game play. The ‘teleporter’, for example, lets you switch the location of any two tiles you choose, and the ‘happy alien’ can help get you out of some difficult situations. Though I am more of a pastel-colored, cute and cuddly kind of personality, I enjoyed the time I spent in space with Twilight Mahjongg.

Conclusion

Indie developers have added so much variety to the game of mahjong that you’re sure to find what you’re looking for. You can enjoy some save-the-world adventure or the thrill of setting up your own boards. You can play alone or with friends, or you can enjoy the competition of a computer AI. Whether you’re looking for fast-paced action, quiet solitude, or intellectual stimulation, chances are there is a mahjong out there for you!