 |
| OVERALL RATING |
3.5 |
| Presentation |
 |
2.5 |
| Control |
 |
4.0 |
| Gameplay |
 |
3.0 |
| Fun factor |
|
4.0 |
| User Rating |
 |
3.0 |
 |
Posted: September 30, 2004
Extremely popular today in celebrity circles and regulated casinos, most people forget that Poker was once present in local saloons and riverboats everywhere during the days of the Wild West. I can only imagine what it felt like to be seated against the likes of “Wild Bill” Hickok. Not only were you in danger of losing your money, but your life as well. Nevertheless, in today’s electronic form of poker, that face-to-face intensity had been lost, until now with Sorrent’s 5-Card Draw. Even though you’re not in danger of losing your life, the excitement of live poker still remains.
Sorrent’s 5-Card Draw features two modes in a first-person perspective. Practice mode will let you take on computer-controlled players in a high-stakes game. Starting with two thousand dollars, you can increase your VIP status with greater earnings and busting out your opponents. Commands at your fingertips include draw, bet, raise, re-raise, check and fold. The game is very easy to control and understand. After playing for a while, you’ll also be able to recognize patterns in opposing players that will help you hone your skills for the real deal.
The main attraction in 5-Card Draw is its multiplayer online mode. As with most of Sorrent’s titles, you can create a Mobile Persona that will allow you to access online features. One of these features will let you join poker matches with up to three other real players. All rules are the same except, of course, once you lose your virtual money, you’ve got no choice but to pack up and leave. With the Mobile Persona, you can also check out world rankings and find out how you stand amongst the best players around.
The game has very little audio and the looks are about as good as you’re going to get on a mobile poker game. In the practice mode you’ll be able to see who you’re up against, though the digitized pictures look a little pixilated. As mentioned earlier, controls are very intuitive and easy to maneuver.
Poker is not a difficult game to understand but in order to win you do have to strategize and choose wisely when it comes to playing your hand. With 5-Card Draw, I found myself addicted to winning and really trying to bust out my opponents, of course, without the inherent danger of being called a no-good cheat and getting two slugs in the chest for it. It is an entertaining game that will certainly prepare you for your next trip to the card table.
