Today my wife and kids were ignoring me so I hijacked my wife’s new iPhone. I’d been curious to try the game on Layar called Conquar. The idea sounded simple–take control of your city using troops. Unfortunately, the game IS that simple.
The way the game works is this: when you create an account, you’re randomly put into a team and given around fourteen armies to conquer your enemies. My favorite colors are blue or red, so therefore, I got stuck with yellow. Boooo! Then I used my fourteen armies to conquer the municipalities around St. Louis. There are only five control points in St. Louis and I now own four of them. Hazelwood, I’m coming for you next!
The game promises me more troops each day, so I can continue my smackdown of the Greater St. Louis area. However, once I’ve beat the tar out of Hazelwood tomorrow, what else will I have to do? I’m an old grognard who’s played countless strategy games, so you’re going to have to do better than one button war. I expect to have armies to train, resources to manage, supply lines to protect, a wedding to plan, Gilder to frame! Oh wait, got carried away there.
I recognize that AR gaming still has a long way to go, but if it wants to take off, it’s going to have to offer more than two minutes of fun. Add some options, give me blood dammit! The makers have posted that “Conquar Updates will soon follow!” Here’s to hoping we see some soon. Until then, if you’re in the St. Louis area and you log into Conquar, don’t forget pay homage to Emperor Carpenter.
