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San Juan lets you colonise Puerto Rico from the comfort of your iPhone or iPad

It’s in the cards

San Juan lets you colonise Puerto Rico from the comfort of your iPhone or iPad
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iOS
| San Juan

Historically, colonisation has been a complicated business in which one must balance the needs of the local economy against the hazards of colonial sea travel.

Fortunately, San Juan – released earlier this month on the App Store as a conversion of the famous boardgame – simplifies the process of colonisation and presents it as a strategy card game similar in feel to a fast-paced Settlers of Catan.

Players assume the role of governor, builder, producer, trader, or councilor as they compete against their rivals to bring San Juan wealth and prestige.

These rivals can be found locally (up to four players can play on the same iOS device) or from all over the world thanks to its Game Center support.

Can we build it?

The key to winning in San Juan is strategy. Knowing what to build or produce is only half as important as knowing what advantages it will bring to the economy.

Players who wisely produce in-demand materials or meet the ends of the economy through their buildings (ranging from palaces to poorhouses) will earn more victory points and will stand a better chance of winning at the conclusion of the game.

San Juan is based upon the 2004 strategy card game of the same name which is itself based upon the 2002 release of Puerto Rico, a strategy board game designed by Andreas Seyfarth.

It is available as a universal app - priced $7.99, €5.99 or $4.99 - and provides full retina support for iPhones and the new iPad.

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Matthew Diener
Matthew Diener
Representing the former colonies, Matt keeps the Pocket Gamer news feed updated when sleepy Europeans are sleeping. As a frustrated journalist, diehard gamer and recovering MMO addict, this is pretty much his dream job.