iPad Review: UNO HD

The classic game of UNO has now come to a mobile version that can be played on your iPad. Can’t really find anyone to play against with the actual cards? No sweat - Gameloft Entertainment has put UNO HD onto the iPad so you can play at your convenience.

The game mirrors the actual card game - you’re given a few cards and your main objective is to get rid of the cards in your hand. Of course, there are a few rules to abide by:
- must be either the same color card or the same number
- if you don’t have either in your hand, you’ll need to draw a card
- press ‘Uno’ when you have one card left
- press ‘challenge’ uno when someone has 1 card left

Rules are fairly simple. But if you’re like me and haven’t played Uno in forever, perhaps you should take a look at the rules, which be found under settings (settings –> profile –> ?). There are quite a bit of things to consider, such “7-0″, “Jump-In”, and “Penalties”. I don’t even remember these rules! And I suppose that it was a bad idea to jump into the “tournament” mode without knowing the rules. Serves me right.

But all-in-all, you can learn as you go along. In the tournament mode, there are 15 rounds where you must beat your opponents in 1 match out of 5. Sounds fairly simple enough, no? I thought it was simple. It starts off with you and another player for the first five rounds, then a player is added for every five rounds. Each round is different - you could be playing normal (no added rules to keep in mind) or with a variety of rules (penalties, 7-0/jump-in, etc.) Of course, trying to remember which rules are being enacted can be a hassle. Luckily for you, they can be found under “menu ==> objectives”.

I really had fun playing this game. As with any card/puzzle game, you must try to anticipate what your opponents’ next moves will be. It’s never an easy task and you certainly can’t plan the way you want. I’d always have the perfect plan and I would get to Uno…only to have to keep drawing more cards. And of course, that’d leave me frustrated, but what’s a puzzle game without a bit of frustration? Oh and luck, I suppose. It’d be no fun at all! But whenever I was able to win, I’d have a look of satisfaction on my face because I was somehow able to use the cards in my hand to win.

Playing with the extra rules, however, provides a twist to the game. For example, “7-0″ means that whenever a 7 is played, you or someone else can exchange hands, which can be both good and bad (if you switch with someone who has fewer cards than you or someone gives you more cards than you actually have). Whenever a 0 is played, your hand goes to the next person in turn and the person in front of you gives you their hand. Again, it’s the same good and bad scenario above. “Jump-In” allows you to go out of turn if you have the same color and number card. Say a red 7 has been played - if you have that in your hand, you have a few seconds to tap the “jump-in” button that appears on the screen. For me, the jump-in button didn’t stay very long - 3 seconds at best. That means, you need to be focused on the game intently and you can’t stray from the game.

You can also play Uno with other people on the same device, though I have yet to try that (I must drag my younger brother to try and play that). And for what it’s worth, Uno is a game that will never ever get old. It’s a game for all ages (well, probably above 5+) and it’s definitely that can be played with family and friends. Try it out - you won’t be disappointed. I should also mention that although you can unlock backgrounds, I have yet to figure out to apply said backgrounds. Hmm.

Interested in knowing more or wanting to purchase the game? Check it out here.