Igowin Pro
| Category | Price | Seller | Device |
|---|---|---|---|
| Games | $4.99 | Smart Games | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
Igowin Pro uses the same Go engine as The Many Faces of Go, the three time world computer Go champion. It draws on more than two and a half decades of experience, a massive knowledge base and the newest research, as well as modern Monte Carlo techniques to help you learn and grow as a player. This is, hands down, the strongest Go engine available for the iPhone or iPod Touch.
Igowin Pro supports play on 9x9, 13x13, or 19x19 boards. This flexible program lets you set your rank as you like. Game parameters can be set up automatically based on your playing level, or you can choose whatever opponent strength or handicap you want.
A built in “magnifying glass” helps you put your move exactly where you want it. Smart move technology snaps your stone into the correct position. The convenient "instant-undo" feature lets you reset a mis-tap without waiting for the computer to finish thinking.
Games can be saved, commented, and emailed as attachments for later study to help improve your play.
Igowin Pro has the most comprehensive tutorial of any app of its kind. You can learn the game basics quickly and begin playing immediately. You can ask for a hint or an estimate of the current score anytime during a game. With no complex menus and just a few basic controls, the game is easy to navigate.
All AI levels are calibrated by actual play, on an online server. That means that the ranking Igowin gives you is very close to what your real-world ranking would be, rather than an arbitrary number that only applies within the app.
Igowin Pro uses the traditional Kyu ranking system to measure your performance. The engine automatically adjusts its level of play to match yours. By using the calibrated rankings within the Go engine, it can play a 9x9 even game, with no handicaps, against any player, from beginner all the way up to 3 Dan level. 19x19 even games automatically adjust from beginner to 3 Kyu.
Whether you're a rookie looking for a fun way to learn and play the game of Go, or a crafty veteran looking for a challenge, Igowin is the app you've been searching for. Take Igowin Pro wherever you go, and play it whenever you have a few minutes to burn. It's always ready for a quick game, or a long session.
With Igowin Pro on your iPhone or iPod Touch, you're ready to start playing the 4000 year old game that takes a few minutes to learn, and a lifetime to master.
Reviews
Clumsy input
Kanhee
I bought this purely based on the name of Many Faces. The game engine may still be good. But I have no luck of checking it out due to it's clumsy input mechanism. Any moves I tried are just like throwing darts toward a target 20 feet away. The landed everywhere except your intended place. The magnifier is a joke. You lose your sense of the area around your target. Until they change the input method, this game is useless.
Great way to pass the time in line at Chipotle or in a plane
Tangent City
I've been playing the 9X9 version of this for the past month or so. It's definitely the first good enough go software I've ever played (I'm about 13 kyu) -- good enough for me at any rate. It rarely makes stupid moves. This Pro version allows you to play 13X13 or the full 19X19. I was surprised to find how rarely I miss my mark on the 19X19 grid. I hold my iPod Touch in one hand and use my thumb of the same hand to tap an intersection. For some reason I almost never miss -- maybe one out of fifty moves or so I have to "undo" because of a bad aim, whereas with the 9X9 version I found myself having to undo every 25 moves or so, at least once a game. If there's a better Go app out there, I'd like to know! This is a hoot.
Poor interface
Ryan R Bates
The AI is some of the best on the iPhone. Unfortunately it is hard to enjoy due to the poor user interface. Too often I misplace a stone and the magnifier is no help. I highly recommend Smart Go Pro over this.
Best Go app out there
theodolite
Fantastic AI that fine tunes itself to your ability, making every game just about even. It's especially great if you want to play full 19 x 19 games but rarely have the time for one on IGS. I've gotten 4 stones better just by playing Igowin.
Great learning tool
rmgustaf
I'm a beginner and the AI is a good challenge. I own both this and SmartGo Pro. Smartgo is great for the tsumego, but Igowin's 19x19 board is great practice.
Fantastic but.....
Joe Langeway
The way it adjusts it's playing level is fantastic. I don't think I will ever get bored of endless 9x9 games. They could even vary more, make me play a much harder or weaker computer with handicap stones maybe. One big gripe: don't let the computer resign. I don't care if I makes stupid moves. I don't know that I'm winning until the computer resigns and then the game is over and I don't know if my expectations were correct or if the computer was just giving me too much credit. One less serious gripe: the computer doesn't seem to vary it's play very much. This may be because more attention is given to it's performance on a 19x19 board and I like to play it on a 9x9, but the result is that it's predictable and I learn to win against the moves I know it will make without understanding anything more about go. Again, this could just be my preference for lots of quick 9x9 games resulting in an edge case just for me. I still get a great experience with this app an lots of useful practice. Thank you.
Great!
Mordini
Love the auto kyu adjust. The interface *is* difficult, never use magnifier (terrible) I can't complain though because I prefer to play most misclicks as a "challenge" game, and it turns out usually those were better moves ;p helps me improve! misclicks are uncommon. Wish you could save anywhere to test variances, but maybe it's best this way. ***update*** does CPU black ALWAYS have to begin on tengen?! 9x9. it's annoying and crass :p (challenging, but unrealistic )
Just one thing missing
frandad729
The interface seems ok to me, at 19x19 on my phone the stones generally land where I want them and the magnifier works fine as well. The undo button is right there for the occasional miss so I'm not seeing much to complain about there. I really like the style of play - feels like real Go instead of the semi random feel of other programs here. My only real gripe is it *really* needs an option to not allow the computer to resign. Overall happy with the purchase though.
Near Perfection
EricM83080
It is just perfect... Except doesn't allow for in-person two-player. Seems like it would be simple to add.
Great!!!
L14M33
It's a great game, easy to have a quick game! But it only has 18 and under Kyu, so it isn't to good for beginners, try Igowin Tutor if you are a beginner, they're both great apps!!
