A free solitaire alternative
Microsoft Mahjong is a free tile-matching game based on the classic Mahjong Solitaire. The game was formerly known as Mahjong Titans and was developed by Oberon Games. The latest version of Mahjong is published by Microsoft and includes background changes and tile collections. To win the game, users must continue matching two tiles until there are no tiles left. The game can be quite tricky at times but it is suitable for kids and adults alike.
Match tiles and solve puzzles
Based on the classic game Mahjong Solitaire, Microsoft Mahjong is a simple yet challenging game. You get a set of tiles that must match, and must continue doing so until all tiles disappear. Originally developed by Oberon Games, the software was available as part of Windows Vista and Windows 7. It didn't make it to Windows 8.1, however.
The latest version of Mahjong is published by Microsoft Studios and works on all Windows devices. It includes a range of features like improved graphics, multiple title options, and background changes. While the game isn’t available on Mac devices, it does have a similar alternative. Mahjongg for Mac isn’t as polished as its Microsoft counterpart, but it has a few features that make it worth a look.
The interface offers a choice of layouts
The program has a simple interface that’s easy to maneuver. There are six available layouts, including Cat, Dragon, Crab, Turtle, Spider, and Fortress. Each of these layouts is a stylized presentation of the chosen animal or item. It also includes the original Mahjong tiles with several colors and print variations. Apart from layout choices, you can also choose from five background options and four collections of tiles.
How do you play Microsoft Mahjong?
Once you download Microsoft Mahjong, you can install the software and begin playing. As soon as you start, the screen places a set of Mahjong tiles in front of you. To match similar tiles, you must click on two one after the other. The tiles that match will disappear and reveal tiles hiding underneath. To win the game, you’ll have to remove all visible tiles.
Though the concept of the game seems simple enough, completing different puzzles can get tricky as well as addictive. Microsoft Mahjong follows an algorithm that positions and organizes tiles such that players can easily match them when required. However, at times some tiles stay hidden beneath partner tiles, so as to make the puzzle extremely complicated to solve.
Moreover, the game comes with four challenges and the difficulty of the game increases with each level. As a beginner, you’ll have to spend some time learning the way the game works, before progressing to another level. Additionally, experts will be able to decide the level that works best for them. Microsoft Mahjong is quite simple once you understand it.
How does Microsoft Mahjong scoring work?
Microsoft Mahjong has a complicated scoring system and you must keep that in mind before making every move. Each tile on the screen comes with a base value and when you remove one tile, your total score increases by the tile’s value. It is then multiplied by half the value of tiles in play. To get a high score, you must first match titles that come with the highest value.
Select visually attractive themes
The latest version of Microsoft Mahjong comes with graphics that are visually attractive and include many themes that you can select. It also includes relaxing music that you can play in the background. You also get an option to choose from four different tile collections as well as five different background images.
Compete in daily challenges
When you download Microsoft Mahjong, you can compete in daily challenges and win badges to showcase your victory. The challenges also have different gameplay options with hidden pairs of tiles. The latest version developed for Windows 10 also includes over 40 different puzzles.
Undo mistakes
Unlike Mahjong Solitaire where you can’t reverse steps, the Windows version offers a new system to undo matched tiles. In case you spot a mistake, you can rewind a few steps, fix any mistakes, or take a completely new approach to gain extra points.
Earn achievements
To earn badges and achievements, you must sign in to your Microsoft account. Once there, you can easily play with friends, earn badges, track statistics, and increase your ranking on the leaderboard. Signing in allows you to easily save your progress on the cloud and return to it whenever you want.
Can Mahjong be played solo?
Microsoft Mahjong is possible for play either solo or with other players. If you go online and sign in to your Microsoft account, you can easily play the game with your friends.
Can Mahjong be played with 2 players?
Yes, as mentioned earlier, Microsoft Mahjong can be played alone or with two players. However, when playing with someone, you must either accumulate the maximum paired tiles or match the last available tiles to win. Whoever has the highest score by the end automatically wins the game.
Is Microsoft Mahjong free?
Yes, Microsoft Mahjong is free to download and play. Once downloaded, you can play the game for hours at an end and use Microsoft’s cloud to save your progress. You'll need to sign in to your Microsoft account, though, if you don't want to lose track of how far you've come. .
Are there any alternatives?
While Microsoft Mahjong is one of the best available Mahjong Solitaire games in the market, it’s limited by the fact that you need an active internet connection to play the game. In case you want to check out alternatives, you should explore Mahjong+, Mahjong Titans Pro, and Mahjong Solitaire for Windows 10.
Should I download Microsoft Mahjong?
If you like playing puzzle and card games like Solitaire and Sudoku, you should download Microsoft’s Mahjong. The game comes with a clean and simple interface with different layout and background image options. The program also features four sets of tiles as well as relaxing music. If you log in to the Microsoft store, you can start competing against friends, earning achievements, and do much more!
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