Connect Four Cities is PlayFirst’s first online multiplayer game. Based on the classic Connect Four game, which, for those of you who aren’t old like me, was a plastic yellow vertical board with slots for checkers, and making a “Connect Four” (connecting four in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) will win the game. Also for those of you who ARE old like me, you’ll remember the classic commercial associated with the game (“pretty sneaky, sis!”)
CFC takes the game to an entirely new level, and if you play the “Cities” mode you’ll find yourself trying to win the “key to the city” by beating the computer opponent at the game. However, the game isn’t entirely the same – each level in a city is depicted as a building, which has your familiar checker slots, but not in the familiar straightforward rectangular formation. Boards can have different rows and even some unmovable wood and stone checkers that are already placed on the board to obstruct you. Rather than just having to create a Connect Four to win the game, the Connect Four will add mega points to your score, as well as clear those checkers from the board (which really helps the opponent, in a way). Your goal to winning the level is to get to the score goal before your opponent. You’ll get some points on the board if the checker you drop creates 2 or 3 checkers in a row, but not nearly as many points as a Connect Four will rake in.
Another twist to the game is the introduction of different types of checkers that have their own abilities, such as the “drill checker” which will drill through the checker below it, or the “cha-cha checker” that will shift all checkers in that row to the right or left. There’s even an exploding checker that will take out those pesky wooden checkers and enemy checkers (as well as your own, if you’re not careful)! You can click the “Help” button to see all the different types of checkers in the game, which appear slowly as your game progresses. The interesting thing is that your opponent is always a bit behind on the special checkers, so you always have a little advantage there.
As far as any planning or strategy goes in the classic Connect Four, you can throw that out the window, because of all the special checkers that make the game entirely unpredictable. I found that the computer opponent isn’t always the brightest – often times leaving you open to make a Connect Four – but remember that because this clears your four checkers from the board, it can actually help the opponent. So maybe the computer is savvier than we think! I do actually find the game quite challenging at times, it’s not always easy to win a level in a snap.
Of course if you want to play the classic version, it’s there for you, but it becomes far less interesting after playing Cities mode, and more for nostalgic value.
One of the neat little interface features I liked was the little checker “queue” of four checkers, which feels like you’re dialing up your checkers as you choose them. I don’t know what it is, but I think I just like the sound it makes!
You can also play with friends (or strangers!) online in the Multiplayer mode. If you have a PlayFirst account, you can log in, or just log in with a screen name that’s at least 8 characters long. You’ll be connected to an interface that allows you to be matched randomly with another player online, use a game code to play a private game with a friend, or join “rooms” with other players where you can chat with them first.
Definitely pick up this new game when you get the chance!
Special thanks to Kirem Weers and PlayFirst for providing the full version of this game.