Absolute Backgammon Editor's Review

Absolute Backgammon is a backgammon simulation game for Mac OS X but it works with Mac OS 8 and 9 too.

The idea that's behind this game is also found in David's Backgammon.However, this game isn't as customizable as David's Backgammon is.

This game has the advantage of running under multiple versions of Mac OS. Absolute Backgammon supports any Mac OS above 8.6 and but with a dependency: CarbonLib under older OSes.

It doesn't have multiple built in boards styles, but it supports the addition of these elements. You can find alternative styles on the producer's Website.

The game is quite fair with you with the dice rolling. The producer says that statistically the game is fair with both of the players. Anyway, I tried to test this fact and the game was quite fair. Sometimes the computer was very lucky and sometimes I was very lucky.

The movement type can be modified from the 'Preferences'. You can use either the drag pieces mode or select one only, select multiple pieces, and easy moves.

Absolute Backgammon features several skill levels from 'Novice' to 'Club Champ'. It also gives you the possibility to pick the personality of your computer opponent. You can use personality styles like: aggressive, conservative, normal, or you can let the application pick one for you by using the random mode.

Another good thing about this application is the fact that it shows you where it can move the piece on the board. Absolute Backgammon also features a nice 'Suggestions' button that shows you all the possible movements. If you don't like how you moved a piece, you can use take back moves.

Pluses: highly customizable, good gameplay, it is a quite fair game, it features multiple skill levels.

Drawbacks / flaws: the default behavior of the piece movement is a little weird. Luckily this behavior can be modified from the 'Preferences'.

In conclusion: nothing replaces a real backgammon board, but this game can get close to the feeling that a real backgammon game gives you. The simulation of the game is very good, and as a backgammon player all I can say is that the only thing that I miss is the dice rolling.

version reviewed: 5.0.6