Million Dollar Poker featuring Gus Hansen Review

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Short Review
Discover the most realistic mobile poker game thanks to a new-generation artificial intelligence developed with poker legend Gus Hansen. Whatever your skill level, compete against a multitude of players with different profiles, from the most predictable to the most experienced, who will test your nerves by using the most advanced poker techniques (slow play, check-raise…). Improve your game with Gus Hansen’s advice and jumpstart your professional career, winning increasingly important tournaments and maybe even conquering the most prestigious events…

Description :
Discover the official Gus Hansen poker game; compete against ultra-realistic opponents.

Features (may vary by handset):

• The official game by Gus Hansen, International Poker Champion with an unprecedented track record.
• Play poker against opponents with near-human artificial intelligence, developed with Gus Hansen.
• Compete against a multitude of players of all levels, from a beginner to a professional player.
• Whatever your skill level, benefit from Gus Hansen’s advice to improve your poker game.
• Ultra-realistic poker experience: Subjective first-person view of the cards, TV production…

Review by Costas Stephanides
Is this the nuts?

We don’t need to tell you how keen developers are to shove poker games down your throat. Almost all of the main developers have got a poker superstar on their books to promote their titles. Gameloft have enlisted Gus Hansen for their latest gambling game. Gameloft aren’t shy at shoving poker chips in our face with Midnight Poker and Midnight Casino but this is the first to have a poker circuit star.

The Gameloft approach always seems a little different to the competition. Yes, they have a big name publicising their game but they don’t let this get in the way of the gameplay and it makes for a refreshing change in this world of poker advising titles. To be honest we don’t quite see enough hints and tips from one of the most successful poker players of the age. But then there was also no soccer skills tips from Peter Crouch and co in the Real Football series. Gus Hansen is here to reel in the fans and there’s a treat for those who take a bite.

[ad#mobile]There are two totally different game modes, Career and Heads Up. Career mode is the fairly standard tournament mode. Battle in poker events around the world and win lots of money. The games are played against 8 other players and the view covers the whole table and there is no panning camera movement trying to follow the action. The gameplay can be very fast. All the betting controls are centred around the D-pad and the shoulder key lets you skip the other players actions. The processing time is very fast and there is no lag to the game. They have included a pseudo delay while players think but this just for effect, press skip and they will soon make up their minds. The graphics follow Gameloft’s trademark comic feel and the lack of fancy avatars contribute to the overall speed.

The marketing sheet boasts over 1000 different AI possibilities and means that you won’t play the same person twice. We can’t confirm that but I do know that winning the first New York tournament is hard. Your first tournament is free to enter and has a decent cash prize. After many attempts we finally bluffed our way to top spot to find that a new venue
is unlocked. In Atlantic City you have the option to partake in another tournament (more prizes but it costs to enter) or play a cash game. The cash game is similar to the online poker games out there. Take a wad of cash to the table and gamble until you’ve had enough or your money runs out. It’s a good way to bolster your account without risking too much money. I would love to tell you all about the other levels but a cheeky 5 of diamonds was my undoing.

The only complaint I have with the game is the initial difficulty of the first tournament. Winning this is crucial to getting a taste of the rest of the huge game and it’s a little difficult at times.

Million Dollar Poker is all about speedy gameplay. If playing on a 9 seater tournament sounds too slow, try the Heads Up mode. This is a straight one on one duel; once again played all over the world. As it’s just a duel, the layout has totally changed and this mode is played in first person view. Your opponent now fills the screen and has more animation during the game. This makes for a much quicker and more intense match and you have a choice of difficulty levels. This mode is also a valuable aid to practising the final tactics for a long tournament. While Career mode tracks your stats and tactics, Heads Up seems to be a onetime affair and you cannot have a save point if returning to Career mode.

If you like your poker fast and frantic, Million Dollar Poker is definitely for you. Highly recommend for the experienced poker player who can work out the odds in his head and takes advice from no-one.