Collectible card games are more popular than ever and we'll soon be dedicating our own top 5+1 list to them , but before that we wanted to share another selection of card games , without that "collectible" element, which are actually more like the board games we talked about last week, perfect for playing in a group or alone.
UNO & Friends
We'll start with the great classic of card games of this type, UNO , which arrived on mobile devices a few years ago with the ever-popular "& Friends" formula , placing special emphasis on the social aspect of the game. This is perfectly reflected in the different competitive modes we can participate in, playing against other users, for example, in quick matches or tournaments, or solo or in pairs. And in case any of you aren't familiar with it yet, suffice it to say that the goal is to get rid of your cards as quickly as possible, although that, of course, isn't going to be as easy as it sounds.
Exploding Kittens
Much more recent than UNO but almost as popular already, the second game in our top 5 is a game that became famous for breaking Kickstarter records, and fortunately, as expected, we didn't have to wait long to enjoy it on our mobile devices. The objective of the game is "simply" to survive the cards that arrive loaded with exploding kittens , but you can imagine that we'll also have many wild cards that make things much more complicated from this simple premise. We can play against up to 5 other users.
take 6
Similar in its approach to UNO, although the original with physical cards can also be considered a classic, the digital version of Take 6 isn't as popular as the others, but not for lack of merit; it's just as fun to play with a group. Unlike the others, however, in this case the multiplayer is local instead of online, which might be a drawback depending on your habits, but it certainly adds an extra appeal if you want to play with friends or family on a trip, for example, without using up your data. And if you're playing alone, to compensate, you can play against the computer, choosing from several difficulty levels.
Stroke
Coup is a slightly different game from the previous ones, with fewer cards and much more strategy, but above all, because it introduces a factor that completely determines the gameplay: we can (or must) lie about the cards we hold. Logically, we won't be the only ones hiding our true cards; all our opponents will be doing the same, and discovering theirs is just as important a part of the game as deceiving them about our own. Multiplayer is online, with the option of playing private matches with me or open matches with users worldwide.
San Juan
San Juan is a version of the original Puerto Rico , and as its name clearly indicates, it focuses on the country's capital. While the rules have been simplified compared to the original, it likely still has a more challenging starting point than the others on this list. But don't worry, it includes a tutorial to help you understand the mechanics. Interestingly, it's somewhat similar to simulation games , at least in that you accumulate points by building and profiting from trade, trying to become the most prosperous merchant in the city and making it grow. You can play against up to three opponents, either other players or computer-controlled players.
Reigns
The bonus entry in our top 5 is a card game that can be played not only with AI taking the place of other players, but is also designed to be played solo . It feels more like a story-driven game than a classic strategy game. The gameplay is extremely simple, yet very charming (as is its art style), as you'll simply be presented with problems that force you to make decisions in your role as a medieval king . Naturally, your choices will have consequences for your kingdom and will influence your chances of future success.
