Blackbird! App Reviews

If you like playing Rook then get this app. I first downloaded it thinking it would be a cheap low graphic version without any upgrades ever but it has actually exceeded my low expectations. There have been a few "bug" fixes and minor improvements that have allowed me to continually play the game and enjoy it! I play single player mode and enjoy the fact I can edit the gameplay to suit my "rules" preference and really enjoy this game!

I grew up playing Rook and I am super happy that Blackbird was developed! The game is really very good and I am happy with it overall. But there are 2 things that drive me crazy when you play against the computer! And I would be so appreciative if someday they received some attention. First, I understand that a computer player will never be perfect. You have to live with some annoying things when playing this mode. But this first peeve drives me crazy because it is not consistent between how it is played between me and my computer partner and the other team. Times when my partner should throw me points and can do so, he does not. He will hold a 10 or 5 until the end rather than give it to me. So many times we could have set the computer team or made our bid if the partner would do this. Now what drives me completely bonkers is, the computer team ALWAYS will play this correctly. They will always throw their points when they should. I dont understand why the inconsistency. Because if the AI players are programmed the same, they should always play the same regardless of which team they are on, right? Now my second peeve is bidding. It is just rude (lol) for my partner to keep over bidding me. I had a hand with bird and 6 trumps from the deal and had to bid to 105 to get it. And it was my partner that wouldnt drop it! So annoying! Causing us to lose bid. This happens over and over. And rarely when he continues to outbid me, if I back out, he never has the cards to back that bid and we go set. So I feel forced to keep overbidding him at times. Okay, Im done. Other than that I really do love, love, love this game and am very greatful for it!

Good game. Well replicated the actual game of rook. AI could take a few more chances throwing points on the top card left in the deck. Would like to be able to adjust difficulty that would vary how the pc plays

*UPDATED for 1.7.3* Looks really bad now on the iPad Pro. Quite honestly, the point value on the cards looks bad too as it seems the cards are smaller and you’re now putting more information on them. At least make that an option. Im another one who has been waiting for this game to come out. Rook was a standard Friday night thing in college and our games were always quite intense, but fun. I have a few issues, some of which have already been raised. I would love to see multiplayer, maybe something like Bold Poker. Tailoring the rules to your own game is awesome, but one thing we used to do was that the top card on the Nest would be showing while players bid on it. That would be a nice option. My computer partner is always outbidding me. maybe Im just used to being able to shoot my partner a look, but too often I get outbid by my partner when the other two players have already passed. Everything else is wonderful. Thanks so much

Love this game but wish it had Bluetooth capability. Would love to be able to play offline with others.

The app closes as soon as I start a new game, even after uninstall and reinstall multiple times.

I do not like the point value being on the cards!! Would like to be able to remove them.

I play on iPad pro. With this new update, the cards are way too small. Points on cards need to be an option for beginners. Please fix.

So sick of really ignorant plays. Especially by my partner. Im done with this app

It has some kinks to work out. You should not be forced to play a trump if you cant follow suit as one can plainly see that you cant capture the trick anyway. My computer partner forces me play trumps even though I won the nest. Also, computer partner wont bid aggressively and almost never wins the nest. The opposing computer partners are much more aggressive. Would love to be able to choose an opponent as a partner.

Dont waste your money. It doesnt work. Played ONE round. Didnt work anymore after that.

The game works and looks great except for the computer intelligence. Your partner should not hold the 14 of trumps if you lead with the R and they only have two trumps. Your partner should lead back trumps when theyre not played out. When trying to set someone, you dont play the R on the first trick. Etc., etc. Improve the A.I. and I would give it 5 stars.

This is a great game. Yes the AI can make some stupid moves but no biggie when you play online with friends. It would be hard to program the AI to think like each individual player. Dont hate because of that. Great job Mr. Wilson!

Fun game with lots of replayability. Notes to the makers: (1) I wish my AI partner, Zeus, was more aggressive with his bidding (although I have discovered if you stop bidding around 100 then Zeus is more aggressive). (2) I just won a game 565 to -450, and I wish I got an achievement for winning a game by more than 1,000 points! :-) (3) (Update) AI partner Zeus bid 125, and the other team took 140 points :-/ Thanks! Great game!

I love this game! However the partner playing needs some help. Like when you are trying to draw the bird or the high card 1 out and your partner wont play it. Or the other team called what color trump is and they lead out with a lower trump and your partner plays next and throws out a 1 or 14 of another color and you lose the hand along with the points your partner just threw away.

Update: And it keeps getting better. The developer keeps on adding great updates. I love it! Finally a Rook game in the App Store! And its good! The AI is fun and the number of variations on the rule set is stellar! Practically every house rule Ive run up against is in there. Excellent job! I have had it on my iDevice since it came out and it is still there; I play it at least weekly.

I probably use this app almost as much as any other on my phone. It is a great diversion when there is a little down time. This game is very well done. The computer players could be a little smarter but if they played perfectly and had complete memory of all cards played itd be a lot tougher to win! Only $1.99?!

Your partner is so dumb half the time and the rook is in the middle way too much. Mostly for beginners to learn.