Strategy games are in abundance on the iPad because the system’s bright display and touch-screen controls are tailor-made for the genre. In spite of that, there aren’t many breathtaking original games in the genre on the platform. Most of them feel similar and don’t have enough uniqueness to make them stand out.

After a few hours with Gaijin Games and Spellbox’s “Fantasy Conflict,” it’s easy to see that it could easily eat up hours more of your time. Intuitive control, a “Warcraft” meets “Shrek” story and plenty of gameplay options make for a crazy, one of a kind experience. The sound effects and music also give it the edge over the myriad of medieval strategy games on the iPad.

While you’ll have a smile on your face during gameplay, your fingers will disagree. They will be engaged in a fight for their lives. “Fantasy Conflict” is hard. The first few levels, usually a place to hone your skills in most other games, are legit. You have to think two or three moves ahead. There’s no slowing down. Nose is itchy? Thirsty? Too bad. Bus and train rides will go from quiet mandatory exclusions to blood-drenched tactical battles for the sake of your kingdom.

The difficulty isn’t a deterrent though. It just forces you to try again. And you will. You will.

Aside from some small in-game menus that are hard to click on at times, “Fantasy Conflict” runs like a charm. After a few games, the size of the menus isn’t much of a bother either. This game will grow on you. Even better, it’ll change your idea of what a quality iPod game is supposed to be. Far from watered down, “Fantasy Conflict” has the depth of any quality PC strategy game and would work great on the 360 or Vita as well.

In the end, that’s what any solid game thrives to be- suitable on any and every platform, but best on the one you’re playing it on.

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Patrick Hickey Jr.

Patrick Hickey Jr. is the Founder, Editor-in-Chief, Master Jedi and Grand Pooh-bah of ReviewFix.com. He is currently a Journalism and English Professor at Kingsborough Community College and a Weekend News Editor at NBC Local Integrated Media. He also teaches Multimedia Journalism at Brooklyn College and has had articles and photos published in The New York Times, The New York Daily News and The Syracuse Post Standard. Love him. Read him.

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