Microsoft Mahjong

As far as default games go, Microsoft Mahjong is a surprisingly feature-rich version of a modern staple of casual puzzle games. Featuring a healthy selection of different tables, and even some achievements for the die-hard Live enthusiasts, this version of virtual mahjong provides players with precisely the kind of content they would expect.

Sometimes, games just have to do what it's advertised on the tin; in Microsoft Mahjong's case, the game's objective is pretty self-explanatory. That said, just how well does Microsoft's version of the game compare to other titles in the same vein? And what does it do to differentiate itself from its competitors?

Tiles and Tables

There's really not much I can do to introduce the concept of mahjong to non-players. Much like Microsoft Solitaire, Microsoft Mahjong aims to be a virtual interpretation of a well-known board game. However, mahjong is not as simple as just looking for pairs and seeing the tiles disappear – well, it is mostly just that, but there's a certain complexity to the whole process.

Players can't just get rid of any tile that gets in their way: to remove a tile, it must have "open" sides – that is, it should not be surrounded by other tiles. This turns your usual round of mahjong into a strategic affair rather than just a purely cathartic one.

Play It Your Way

Not everyone has the patience to become a mahjong master. Even if you spend hundreds of hours playing games like Mahjong Titans, there will always be that one table that gives you the worst time of your life as you struggle to look for valid pairs.

That's why so great to see that Microsoft Mahjong includes an exhaustive list of different tables sorted by difficulty. From complete novices to bona fide masters, everyone can play the way at the right difficulty for them in this game.

Not only is this a great way to ensure that players of any skill level can have a great time with the game, but it also provides hours upon hours of additional content to an already extensive mahjong title.

A New Challenge Every Day

It has become a staple of Microsoft games to include some sort of daily challenge to offer players some new content each time they boot up their games, and Microsoft Mahjong is certainly no exception to this rule.

Much like Microsoft Minesweeper, this version of mahjong includes a daily puzzle feature that ranges in difficulty each day. It's good to see that the game is regularly updated like this, especially for players who want to compete on the online leaderboards.

Speaking of support, the UI is as clean as they come. Every option is properly indexed in easy-to-understand menus, and the overall presentation fits perfectly well with Windows' tile-style menus. For mahjong – and Microsoft – fans, this is the game to get to fulfill all your puzzling needs.

Pros

• Outstanding user interface
• Lots of boards to complete
• Daily challenges keep the game updated

Cons

• Some players might not like the Windows tile design