Ludo King®

Ludo King is the digital version of a game that many people grew up with. In some places Ludo is also known as Parcheesi or Pachisi, and its roots stretch back centuries in India. The store listing proudly states that this is the official Ludo King game, with a claim of two billion downloads. It is published by Gametion, has been installed more than a billion times on the store and holds a 4.1 rating.

The basic game is simple. You roll a dice and move your tokens around the board, trying to bring all of them home before your opponents do. You can capture rival tokens by landing on them, and safe squares protect your pieces. It is a game of luck with a dash of strategy, which is why it appeals to families and friends of all ages.

What the app offers

The listing describes a lot of modes. You can play online with two, three, four, five or six players, and there is a Snakes and Ladders mode for two to four players. A tournament mode is available for eight players, and there is a new Ludo season each month. You can complete daily goals to earn free dice, coins and diamonds. There is also a club feature called Adda, where you can create or join a group to chat and spend time with other players.

The game is described as cross platform, supporting multiple devices, and it also has an offline mode, which makes it useful when you do not have a connection.

Family evenings

Ludo is often played at home on a board, and the app tries to recreate that experience. It works well for mixed-age groups, since the rules are simple enough for a child. If you want a classic game night without a physical board, it is a convenient option.

Strategy that actually helps

Bring tokens out early when you roll a six. It is tempting to wait, but having more tokens in play gives you more choices.

Keep tokens together near safe squares. A lone token far ahead is easy to capture.

Use captures wisely. Sending an opponent back to the start is satisfying, but sometimes advancing your own token is more valuable.

Think about blocking. Placing your tokens in front of an opponent's can slow them down.

Things to be aware of

Because the game is extremely popular, it has a large online community. Online chat and matches with strangers mean that younger players should be supervised, and parents should check privacy and purchase settings. The game uses in-game currencies such as coins and diamonds, which are virtual. They have no real-world value, and the game does not involve cash prizes in the listing we have reviewed.

Who it is for

Families, friends and anyone who enjoys classic board games. If you prefer deep strategy, it may feel too light. But as a friendly, social game that nearly everyone understands, it is hard to beat.