RoGame Software

Abalinio

Abalinio is based on one of the old African Mancala games which have been around for hundreds of years. The name Abalinio is derived of the Spanish Abalón (Pearl). Like in chess and similar board games you and the iPhone or iPad take turns. You must push 6 of your opponent's game pieces from the board to win. Game pieces are moved by selecting one of one's own game pieces and then tapping an empty field or other owned game piece next to it in order to indicate a direction.

Abalinio features a hexagonal board which allows game pieces to move in 6 directions. A very basic move consists of two actions - tapping the game piece once to highlight it and then tapping an adjacent field or gam piece to indicate the move's direction. Basic moves may move up to 3 of one's own balls which in turn can move up to 2 of the opponents balls. In order to move one's opponent's game pieces one must have the higher line strength. There are also so-called fliche moves which can only be executed into empty fields. Watch the movie below to see everything in action.

You can use the iPad like a regular bord game if you select "Human Opponent" in Settings. Like most settings this applies to the next new game. Starting a new game will result in the player information being displayed at the top of the screen as well, but inverted. That way you can share the iPad between two players and play against each other.

First in Settings there is a choice of red/orange or black and white piece colors. These can be adjusted at any point and will automatically refresh the current game with new piece colors. Then there is a choice between two basic styles for Abalinio - the standard style and the split configuration shown above. Furthermore there are three difficulty settings. The game's AI is pretty strong, so you might want to start out with an easy settings. Also available here is a preference for which color stones you'd like to use. Remember - in this game orange gets the first move. Last but not least, you can turn off the sound for this game with the Sound switch. Most options in settings will take effect for the next game.

We added an illustrated walkthrough of the rules right on the main screen and an announce system to make things a bit smoother for those not familiar. Abalinio is deceptive in its simplicity and one is well advised to keep the goal of the game in mind. It is easy to start out with a lead and still lose in a matter of a couple of moves. Give it a try. Abalinio is a marvellous strategy game and a great way to pass time.