With the emergence of QR codes, the link between something physical and something digital has got ever greater. Many areas have taken advantage of this, especially advertising, but for the first time ever the technology has made the switch to card games. Bicycle’s Jacked Up Cards use the QR codes on the pack and on a card as well as dedicated iPhone and iPad apps to add another dimension to the rules, delivering a whole new gameplay experience.
Layout
The first thing you see when you open the app on both iPhone and iPad is the friendly Bicycle Joker, who guides you through the game and also tells you what the rule changes when you scan the appropriate QR code. Going through the menus is a nice experience, as the layout is modelled on a deck of cards, and it really embodies the category of the app.
It is also a relatively intuitive experience – relative only because it is sometimes not immediately obvious which button you have to press, something which can at times be problematic. I for one ended up getting lost at times and had to restart the app. However once you know what you’re doing it’s fine.
Functionality
There are no serious issues with the functionality of the app. The most important thing, that QR codes read properly, could not be better and once you have it lined up correctly, it reads it in a second.
The app allows you to set up multiple players, and the great thing you can play without using the QR code if you feel like it. Ultimately it is just a normal deck of cards, and it’s only right that you get to play how you want.
The other nice feature is that even if you don’t know how to play the game, you can learn. It lists the rules, however after I read through them they weren’t perhaps as clear as they could have been. I’m a great one for video tutorials, and if they had included one, it would have been even better.
The final unique feature worth mentioning is the ability to take a photo of yourself as you play, or after you’ve finished. I would have to class this as a slightly pointless feature- if you want to take a photo, you might as well just use the dedicated Camera app, especially as the function does not add any cool effects. The time could have been spent on something more relevant to the game itself if you ask me.
Verdict
If you like card games and want to try out something different, then Jacked Up is definitely for you. It gives the game a different dimension, and the sudden rule changes make the game more exciting.
I would like to point out several things though: firstly the iPad and iPhone versions are exactly the same (from what I can tell), but clearly the former has simply been adjusted to fit the bigger screen. Secondly, you can get three different versions – Solitaire, Hearts and War. Which once you choose is down to personal preference (I used Solitaire for this review). Thirdly, don’t bother with this app if you haven’t got the cards. The app is free, but you have to order the cards from Bicycle to enjoy the experience.
On that topic though, I discovered a serious flaw with their system. It’s nothing to do with the functionality of the app, but if you take a photo with normal camera of the QR codes, the scanner in the Jacked Up will pick them up, even off the photo. As a result, you only really have to buy one deck, then send photos around to your friends and they can use any old deck to play. Potentially, that’s one seriously rubbish business plan.
Rating: 4/5[rating:4]
Price: Free (iPad link, iPhone link, Cards must be purchased separately)
Pros
- Puts a new, interactive edge on card games.
- Friendly Bicycle Joker guides you through the process.
- Allows you to play without a Jacked Up deck.
Cons
- Rules could be explained better with a video tutorial.
- App navigation can sometimes be tricky, especially when you first start using it.
