1st & Goal Review (iOS)
Submitted on: Sep 23, 2014 by Caley Roark
While Blood Bowl is based on a table-top game from the 80s, 1st & Goal is based on a much more recent card game. Using hand management, shrewd card play, and lucky dice rolls, 1st & Goal nicely recreates football in a captivatingly simple way.
Gameplay
How it works: The offense chooses a play, represented by a card. The defense chooses a card. Both are simultaneously revealed and cross checked to see what dice are rolled. The ball moves based on the outcome of those dice. That's it.
However, within those cards and dice are a nearly infinite number of outcomes. You'll see penalties, turnovers, and busted play -- all indicated by reading the shown faces of the dice. The breakaway is especially fun, as it lets the offense roll multiple times. The clock is also nicely represented by the deck itself.
Gameplay
How it works: The offense chooses a play, represented by a card. The defense chooses a card. Both are simultaneously revealed and cross checked to see what dice are rolled. The ball moves based on the outcome of those dice. That's it.
However, within those cards and dice are a nearly infinite number of outcomes. You'll see penalties, turnovers, and busted play -- all indicated by reading the shown faces of the dice. The breakaway is especially fun, as it lets the offense roll multiple times. The clock is also nicely represented by the deck itself.
iOS Version
Modes are limited, but enough for what the game is. You have exhibition, bracket (playoff), and season mode. You can create custom teams (essentially just picking a color and logo). There is pass and play multiplayer, but unfortunately no online.
The producers have also made this game's expansions available for in-app purchase. Each expansion offers new teams, with new card sets and dice combinations. If you are interested in this game, I'd suggest getting at least one expansion, as it opens up the team creation a bit more. With the expansion, you can sub out the standard dice for those geared toward a certain offense type, defensive, etc.
The interface is functional, but hardly slick. While a little rough looking, I had no problems navigating or finding where everything is. The rulebook is included, and is an easy read if you want to learn the specifics of the dice and card management.
Final Thoughts
1st & Goal is a really good mobile football game. It's simple, quick, and accurately recreates the sport, albeit in an abstract way. Buying just one expansion at $.99 makes things a little more interesting, but is hardly a necessity.
Score: 7.5 (Good)
Modes are limited, but enough for what the game is. You have exhibition, bracket (playoff), and season mode. You can create custom teams (essentially just picking a color and logo). There is pass and play multiplayer, but unfortunately no online.
The producers have also made this game's expansions available for in-app purchase. Each expansion offers new teams, with new card sets and dice combinations. If you are interested in this game, I'd suggest getting at least one expansion, as it opens up the team creation a bit more. With the expansion, you can sub out the standard dice for those geared toward a certain offense type, defensive, etc.
The interface is functional, but hardly slick. While a little rough looking, I had no problems navigating or finding where everything is. The rulebook is included, and is an easy read if you want to learn the specifics of the dice and card management.
Final Thoughts
1st & Goal is a really good mobile football game. It's simple, quick, and accurately recreates the sport, albeit in an abstract way. Buying just one expansion at $.99 makes things a little more interesting, but is hardly a necessity.
Score: 7.5 (Good)
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