Casino Mogul

Ever wondered what it would be like to own one of those big casinos you see in Las Vegas, Atlantic City or even Monte Cristo?  Well stop wondering and grab a copy of Casino Mogul.  This new offering from Monte Cristo Multimedia claims it will be the next evolution in tycoon games and unless I miss my guess, I have to agree!

In Casino Mogul, you start out with a large empty building that has a rather modest entrance and from here you must create and run a casino with enough splash and flash appeal  to compete with world-class casinos around the globe!  The road to becoming the next ultimate Casino Mogul is not an easy one to travel.

You'll have to maximize your profits if you want your casino to grow and that will take very careful planning and management.  Buying and placing hundreds of unique gambling games and decor will keep you scrambling as you search for the perfect combination that will draw clients inside to play.  Once they are inside, you'll have to keep them happy if you want them to stay.  This means carefully assessing their needs and supplying the proper combination of personnel and facilities to satisfy those needs.  Remember, a satisfied client will stay and gamble but an unhappy client will head for the door.

Your initial floor space won't be enough to accommodate expansion but you will need money to expand and that means carefully monitoring cost factors of pricey equipment...watching the payout levels on games...and placing your best money makers where they will attract the most usage.

Staffing your casino will take proper finesse as well.  You'll want the best personnel your money can hire.  The best dealers need to be charming enough to get the clients to tip well, observant enough to spot thieves, skilled or experienced enough to win more often and to be less likely to make mistakes, and fast enough to keep the game moving quickly.  The same is true with all the different types of personnel you must hire and fire and this includes cocktail waitresses to keep your clients from becoming thirsty...security guards to handle thieves and rowdy clients...medics to make sure the clients are healthy and cared for quickly if they become ill...mechanics to keep those important gaming devices in top working order...janitors to keep your casino clean and tidy...and entertainers to keep your guests happy when they are looking for entertainment other than gambling.

Casino Mogul offers a variety of ways in which to play the game as well as a game tutorial that will give you the general do's and don'ts of game play.  Playing the Sandbox mode allows you to play freeform without the worry of meeting the deadlines or achieving specific goals in a timely fashion.  This is an excellent mode to begin with so you can learn how to use all those pointers that the tutorial mentioned.

The Challenges Mode is broken down into two main challenge types.  It's you against the computer in Competition Mode as you vie against four computer players in a race to become named Ultimate Casino Mogul.  Your competitors will vary in degree of expertise and your goal is to knock them all out of the running as you battle to the finish.  There are three base scenarios from which to compete.  You are given a progress report each week to show where you stand in the ranks.

The second Challenges Mode is call 5 Star Challenges.  Here you will be expected to take one of 6 different casinos in varying degrees of disaster and turn each into a money making enterprise before your cash is tapped out and you go bankrupt.  These six casino challenges range from broken down casinos...to casinos that have been poorly managed...to casinos that need a complete overhaul.

Game options allow you to choose a skill setting of hard, medium or easy which directly dictates the amount of starting cash you will have when you begin each game.  This important option allows you to adjust the challenge of your game play and to make it as easy...or as hard as you would like it to be.

You can also choose between two unique themes that will directly affect your game play as you progress.  You may choose between the intrigues of the mysterious East or the luxurious European Monte Carlo style.  Each of these themes provide their own unique wall and flooring settings as well as unique structures and staff.  As you upgrade your casino during game play, more theme items will become accessible.

Monte Cristo Multimedia's Casino Mogul has been rated E for Everyone.

Minimum System Requirements include:  Windows 95/98/ME/2000, DirectX 8.0 or higher (included on game CD), Pentium II Processor or equivalent with 350 MHz, 64 MB RAM, 4X CD ROM, Compatible DirectX 8.0 Graphics board with at least 8 MB RAM, Compatible DirectX8 Sound Card, 350 MB free hard disk space, keyboard and mouse.

Install:  Easy Install with Installation Wizard.

Gameplay:  7.5. 
The game interface is smooth and easy to use for the most part.  I did encounter a few minor glitches when using the camera view perspective of certain items but perhaps I was looking for a further view than was being offered.  The skill level options make for good replayability.  Casino Mogul is quite easy to control with point and click menu selections.  This is not a game that can be learned and mastered quickly.  As with all tycoon type games, the player can expect to spend a lot of time in this game.

Graphics:  7.5. 
The graphics are above average and are quite colorful.  I would have rated this area higher had the people not looked like blockheads some of the time...but then some people in real life are blockheads!

Sound:  7.0. 
The music and sound effects are above average but not what I would call spectacular.  You can adjust the sound and music which is always a welcome feature.

Difficulty:  8.0. 
This game will definitely offer a challenge to even the most astute tycoon/sim player.  You can expect to spend some time developing game skills with this software...which makes it more valuable, in my humble opinion.

Concept:  8:0.  I am giving Casino Mogul a higher rating here because it presents an extensive look into the behind-the-scenes aspects of gambling establishments and how to manage those aspects.  Monte Cristo Multimedia certainly did their homework when preparing this software.

Multiplayer:  N/A. 
Please note:  There are options to visit the websites set up for both the game itself and the developers.  You can even compare screenshots of your completed casino with those of other players.

Overall:  7.5. 
Tycoon/Sim games should be challenging and fun.  Casino Mogul is easily both!  There is an addictive quality that can be both good and bad...depending, of course, on whether you are the one playing...or you are the one trying to get your turn at the computer!