I'll admit, I was very reluctant to purchase this game, as I am most card games... but my kids eventually talked me into it. Since spending the money I can firmly state I am an Uno pro and capable of holding my own against any competitor. But much to my enjoyment of the game, I must also state my criticisms as well... and for Uno, I have plenty of criticisms.
First off, let me get the good out of the way. The gameplay is quite simple, as you would expect with any card game on a computer or gaming system. The online option is a great addition and the game options leave the players with a variety of game options, such as the 7-0 option (allowing you to trade cards with other players), "jump-ins" (putting a card that matches the exact card in the pile out of turn) and challenges (for not calling "Uno" or illegally playing a Wild Card - Draw 4 card).
So the options are there, and the idea is there... but what about the game itself?
My first complaint would have to be over the online play. Without it living up to the standards every other online Playstation game I own, it gets some seriously negative points in my book. Not only do the typical online matches (also called "Unranked") sport serious connection issues at times, but the "Ranked" matches rarely turn up any results when searching for games. I find it hard to believe that nobody plays ranked games and opt instead for the unranked, when there are trophies that depend on you achieving certain accomplishments via Ranked games. One trophy, a Gold trophy nonetheless, requires you to check your stats when you break the top 50... meaning I'd have to achieve 20,000 points or something of the sort. It's impossible to do that when you can't connect to a ranked game, or host your own ranked game and invite your friends. I tried hosting ranked games multiple times, some after talking to people at the table at the middle of an unranked game with plans of them searching for me or vice versa. Not once did it work out for us. Totally failed. Instead I tried playing against computer opponents in a ranked game as opposed to real live competitors. From what I could tell, it doesn't seem to track the points you earn... a true wtf moment.
I've only had the game a week and already I've been disconnected from online hosts more times than I can count. My last one happened on one of the couple times connection to a "Ranked Game" actually worked for me, crashing as I was about to get my points. By losing it's connection, I lost everything I had earned. The actual host didn't lose the connection, because I was able to hop back into his room after getting dumped, but I lost it and with it every point I'd earned in the hand. We laughed and made fun of the shitty connection for a while... but I was still pissed that the points I earned became the points of a computer opponent and not mine. After I was able to join in for the 2nd time, I was assigned me to different player, leaving me pointless. Needless to say, I wasn't happy.
Another thing that "doesn't make me very happy" (imagine me cussing people out online via my camera/microphone) is the occasional player who walks away from the game, allowing the computer to take over and play for him, but in doing so makes everybody else involved wait an extra 15 seconds per turn before the computer eventually moves for him/her. This is very frustrating, because sometimes you wish you could just boot the players for taking so much extra time while their off eating, shitting or screwing... but you can't, because they don't offer a 'kick-player' option. In the meantime, you're stuck dealing with the idiots who don't finish their games.
Another thing that agitates me is the lack of character design options. It gives you a few choices of heads, hair, shirt, etc... but they're very limited. It isn't rare to see a twin version of yourself. It's why I just pimp my Playstation Network avatar instead. The other just seemed lame after a while. As did their music. They don't allow you to plug your own music in from your PS3. As a man who loves his music, a simple little option like this would go a long way.
I guess in the meantime I'll focus on the Tournament trophies, but I mainly bought the game to play online. Without it, the game fails me and everybody else who bought it for that same reason. It gets some of it's rating back for supplying its functionality on Family Game Night, and it keeps the kids out of my hair for a while when I'm working on the website, but overall... it's safe to say that Uno needs a serious improvement. I'll be anxiously awaiting an update on the software.
May I recommend the following changes:
- The ability to invited friends into ranked games
- The ability to go back when placing a card you didn't want placed (usually the 0 or 7 in the 0-7 option
- Connection connection connection... without it, the game is truly a bust
- More card, background and avatar options
- Making it possible to kick players, or allow for players to select an auto-play
- The ability to play your own background music (PLEASE! Your music sucks!)
When I see those fixed, I'll update my score, but in the meantime I'm left with little choice but to grade this game as follows:
| Gameplay |
9.0/10 |
| Fun Factor |
8.5/10 |
| Multiplayer/Online |
6.0/10 |
Audio and Video
|
6.5/10 |
Overall Score for Uno on Playstation 3:
|
7.5/10
|
Uno Trophy List:
| 10 times Wild Draw Four (Bronze) |
When you use the Wild Draw Four Card 10 times in tournament. |
| 2 times Wild card in a game (Bronze) |
When you use the Wild Card 2 times in a round in tournament. |
| 5,000 points! (Bronze) |
When you reach 5,000 points in Tournament play. |
| Challenge UNO (Bronze) |
When you successfully catch someone forgetting to call UNO in tournament. |
| Challenge Wild Draw Four (Bronze) |
When you successfully challenge an illegal use of a Wild Draw Four Card in tournament. |
| Finish 10 games (Bronze) |
When you complete 10 rounds (win or lose) in tournament. |
| First UNO (Bronze) |
When you first call UNO in tournament. |
| First win (Bronze) |
When you win a round for the first time in tournament. |
| Invite your friend (Bronze) |
First time you invite your friend to play with you. |
| Play 50 games online (Bronze) |
Play 50 online UNO rounds. |
| Play online (Bronze) |
First time you play a round online. |
| Top 50 in the world (Gold) |
Check the leaderboard when in the TOP 50. |
| Win 10 games online (Bronze) |
Win 10 online UNO rounds. |
| Win 10 matches (Bronze) |
When you win a total of 10 matches in tournament. |
| Win game without drawing cards (Silver) |
When you win a round without drawing any cards in tournament.
I've had a lot of people ask me which one they should get, seeing as how there are 3 options to choose from... the standard, the hardened, and the prestige edition. Now I can't see myself spending an extra $20 on a steel box and book I could care little to nothing about, considering the game probably won't leave my console that often until I own either MAG or the next Grand Turismo. Because of that, I could care less about what case it comes in, and I certainly couldn't give a rat's ass less about a tiny book I will probably be leaked all over the internet within the first couple days. Thanks, but uh... no thanks.
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