Monopoly vs. Galactic Magnate

Monopoly is a fun game. It was the first board game that really hooked me as a child, and I remember nagging my family endlessly to play me. I would usually win.
When I got older the game lost some of its appeal, as it became obvious the game is more about luck than skill. There are simple strategies that are optimal, and the rest depends on the dice.
But I still enjoying playing the game (now it is the kids nagging me...), and I still win more than I loose.

When looking for an online Monopoly game, there is not much to choose from. I guess others feel like me, that the game is really not that fun, once you figure out the strategy.

Hasbro has an official version out, one you can play from Pogo.com (and maybe other places as well). It is not good. There are really intrusive ads in the game, and you have to buy a subscription to loose them. But I would never buy a subscription for that game. Why? Because it is too close to the board game! Great care has been taken to implement all the familiar rules, graphics, movements etc., and all of it is fitted into a small window on the screen. The result is that the game play vanishes in "cute" animations, and too-much information on too-little screen space. I hated it.

Luckily, not all is lost. Go to http://www.galacticmag.com/, and download Galactic Magnate. Don't let the name and looks fool you, it is Monopoly, but done right, done the way Hasbro should have done it, had they known anything about online gaming.

First of all, the rules are the same, but different. Some subtle changes has transformed much of the luck-element into strategy. You don't automatically get to buy properties - you have to auction for them, and that means carefully considering their worth, vs. your strategy. You also don't get income from a property - you have to have a monopoly first. So you can end up buying lots of property, and generate no income! And the cash you get from crossing Start varies, and over time vanishes. There are more differences, and they are well thought out, and well executed.

Secondly, the interface is clear and to the point. The board is like the Monopoly board, only slightly different. And the whole screen is used, and all the information is where you want it to be. You will get quickly up to speed.

Finally, it is completely free, and there are no ads. What more can you ask for?

With Galactic Magnate, I have refound the joy of Monopoly, and are happily bashing away at my online adversaries. A game takes from 20 to 40 minutes, and there are many players online, so you can usually get a game going in 2-5 minutes.

Highly recommended:	http://www.galacticmag.com/
Waste of time:	http://board-games.pogo.com/games/monopoly