Hardwood Backgammon (Xbox 360)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.0 stars Good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Jeff Gerstmann
• Reviewed on: 01/13/2006
• Released on: 12/08/2005
• Originally published on GameSpot: Hardwood Backgammon (Xbox 360) Review

You don't see too many backgammon games for consoles, but then that's part of what makes the Xbox 360's Xbox Live Arcade service so interesting. Since there's no packaging to deal with, and no retail space to haggle over, the service allows smaller developers and publishers to get their games out on the consoles, rather than limiting them to the oft-overlooked world of PC shareware games. That world is where Silver Creek Entertainment typically finds itself, but with the rise of the Xbox Live Arcade, the company has begun to develop its brand of card and board games for Microsoft's new console, as well. Hardwood Backgammon is among the first of Silver Creek Entertainment's games on the Xbox 360, and it's a competent, yet visually drab, take on the classic board game.

Hardwood Backgammon sticks to the rules of the board game. The only real game options are to disallow use of the doubling cube, set the number of match points for your game-winning goal, and, if playing alone, select three different skill levels for the opponent living inside your Xbox 360. If you want to play against another person, you can do so over Xbox Live or locally. Annoyingly, you'll need a second profile on your 360 before playing a local multiplayer game. If you aren't familiar with the rules of backgammon, the game has two tutorials that do a good job of explaining the rules, but they don't delve too deeply into strategy. Like other Xbox Live Arcade games, there are 200 achievement points up for grabs in Hardwood Backgammon, including points earned for winning with a gammon, winning consecutive games, or using the doubling cube.

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