Mahjong World Contest (麻将) is a Mahjong game that is set in a Chinese game hall during a Mahjong World Contest. Even though, this game can be bought on steam and other gaming websites/platforms. This game is actually a port of a ‘free to play’ ipad game. Despite this fact, certain versions do differ from one another. The steam version in particular, has achievements and steam trading cards as an addition. To add to this it removes the option to purchase power ups with actual money. However from what I have gathered it is the same game other than the aforementioned additions and changes. Unsurprisingly this is the version I am basing my review upon.
The concept of the game itself is simple and very easy to get into playing. Since this game in blunt terms is essentially matching 2 of the same picture style in a Mahjong format. This game does also use the same first level and in game tutorial as Mahjong Magic Journey. However, the tutorial can be skipped if you choose to do so.
Whilst this game looks easy, it isn’t as easy as the concept on paper seems. To many people they would think that the objective of this game is to clear the board. But instead your objective is to match all of the golden tiles on the board in as little moves possible. This game does increase its difficulty the further you go in the game. Particularly on the multilayered levels as it is possible to get the pieces you don’t need.
To add to this the game expects you to earn 3 stars in each level. Stars are earned by meeting quotas on each level. You earn one star meeting each quota in 3 different objectives. These being making a limited number of moves, obtaining all of the golden tiles and by earning enough gold coins in each level. Each level has a different requirement.
But this game is a luck based game in a sense. This is because you are dependent on the game providing you with suitable tiles so you can make moves. If you have a set that provides you with no moves you must use the reshuffle button. I found saving this ability for the said instance as it particularly useful in getting you out of the scenario of having unsuitable tiles. I find it frustrating that the game makes you use it so much in order to achieve level requirements. On some levels it may possibly take multiple attempts to complete. This is because of the randomised tiles and if it is in your favour or not. I also think that it makes the idea of trying achieving 3 stars on every level become particularly challenging.
The game itself I think is quite decent for the content provided. On a technical level the game works well (shoving the randomised tile issues) as well as visual/audio content of the game. The graphics and the art style of the game are of a good standard.
I don’t like the fact that the game (on steam’s description) offers a story about a Mahjong contest. I am taking this directly from the steam store description (as seen above.). In the game the only mention of a contest is at the start with a comic strip explaining that a postman had provided you with an invitation for the World Tournament of Modern Mahjong. So if you are expecting a puzzle game with a story. Please look elsewhere as this is just a selection of Mahjong levels nothing more nothing less.
Also this game does borrow a lot of assets from previous games by the developer. Such as the menu’s using the same graphics and colour schemes. The default tile’s in this game are from Mahjong Magic Journey. As the default tiles from both games are the same.
Whilst I will admit that it isn’t a bad game to play on if you’re after a puzzle game. But I would only recommend picking up Mahjong World Contest (麻将) if you need the trading cards or if you haven’t bought any other Mahjong game, as it is too similar to other games avaliable. I also suggest only getting it when it is on sale. Primarily because I don’t think that the game isn’t worth the original asking price of £4.29. Which I think is way too much for a port of a free to play ipad game.
