Opponents
In Handmark Monopoly for the Pocket PC you are able to play against 1-3 opponents. These opponents may be any combination of computer and/or human opponents. Human opponents may either play on a single Pocket PC, or they may play a beamed game via IR. The computer opponents may be selected from a list of seven different opponents. Each of these computer opponents have their own personality and style of play. Some of these people will buy any and all properties while others will be more selective about which properties they purchase. The different personalities also come into play when setting up trades. Certain characters are much more willing to accept trades than other characters.
Game Play
The Pocket PC version of Monopoly plays very similar to the traditional board game version. If you've played the board game you'll be able to pick up the Pocket PC version and immediately begin playing. One of the nicest features of the Pocket PC version is that the computer is the banker. This is a great feature because it prevents mistakes, and it also helps to speed up game play. At the start of the game the computer will randomly assign the playing order. A dialog box will appear saying that all of the players have rolled the dice and the player with the highest roll will play first.
In designing the game Handmark took into account many of the popular variations of the game which people have added. In order to accommodate these features, while staying true to the original rules of the game Handmark allows the user to define certain rules. Included in this set of customizable options are the following:
- Short Game – A shortened version of the game in which players start with two properties which they must pay for before starting. Additionally, only three houses are required before purchasing a hotel.
- Once Around Before Buying - Users must travel around the board once before purchasing any properties
- Double Bonus Landing on Go - Players who land on go receive $400 instead of the standard $200
- Free Parking Collects - Players who land on Free Parking will collect money from debts and fines.