Pros & Cons
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- Excellent card game.
- Realistically emulates the actual game.
- Streamlines tricky game elements.
- Single player, local multiplayer, and online multiplayer.
- Works offline.
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- Not streamlined for mobile play.
- Minor bugs.
- Graphics a bit fuzzy.
Though economics generally bores me, I love board games about economies. Games where contenders merely seek to destroy each other don't move me in the same way (notable exception: WizWar). As a board game, San Juan is all about timing and shrewd speculation to construct the best trading town from a deck of cards. The San Juan iPhone game is exactly the same as its paper counterpart, but some minor issues and a stodgy presentation hold it back from being a great mobile board game. For that, look to Editors' Choice Carcassonne.
The Game, in Brief
At the start of each round in San Juan, one person is designated as the Governor. She picks a role from the five that are available: Builder, Producer, Trader, Councillor, and Prospector. Everyone does the same, and then they perform the selected phases in order, using the actions to construct buildings, produce goods for sale, and so on.
View All Final Thoughts
San Juan (for iPhone)
San Juan is a faithful but not perfect iPhone adaptation of an excellent card game. Despite its flaws, it will definitely appeal to board game fans.