Gwent Rogue Mage is pretty much Slay the Spire with Witcher lore and Gwent gameplay/fights. It is fun and works well, but it also has its weaknesses. I understand that Gwent players are unhappy that battles only have 1 round here, but I think that's needed or the fights would take way too long. What could need improvements imo are the following areas: - It is annoying that enemies always have the last turn. This means that you always have to rely on odds, which is stupid in a game where one unlucky loss ends the whole run. Now you always have to consider wasting more spells, just to make sure you are leading a lot before he plays his last card. I think it would be best if the enemies start each fight, or alternatively make his last card visible to the player before your last turn. - The first couple battles are rather boring as you always start with the same deck, and once you feel like you have a nice deck later on the game is already over. It would help to start each run with 2-3 card rewards (add a card or remove a card), to add more dynamic to the runs, especially for the first fights. And I also wouldn't mind making the runs 2-3 tiles longer. - I was disappointed how fast the curse system is introduced, forcing you to make the already challenging game even harder if you want to progress with the mutagens and the story. - The random events and the places of power are kinda boring. I think adding some currency to the game would be good to make the events more interesting. Then also add a shop where you can buy or improve cards. Even with these (and some smaller ones) weaknesses the game is very fun for me, and I hope that CD Projekt Red improves it over time.
I was actually sceptical of this game and thus didn't buy it until some days ago. Now I have just finished it and I must say it was a fantastic experience. It really catches the same setting and atmosphere as the other witcher games and books with great characters, interesting stories and tough decisions you will often regret. The cards, fights and the expanding of your army and buildings was also well done. Only on the last act / map there were a bit too many standard 3-rounds fights which in my opinion unnecessarily delayed the ending a bit too much.
