The game tries to combine Slay the Spire and Trials of Fire, two of my favourite games, but sadly, does not succeed. I dont like the artwork and atmosphere, the AI is garbage, there is too much randomness, i dont like the hunger system, and i really, really dislike the "permanent death" feature, which basically means, that your creature cards can die (if they are beaten twice without being cured between), and be permanently removed from your deck. Which makes it unnecessary difficult and annoying, to try to build a decent deck with a theme, as your key cards will be disappearing all the time (speaking of "hard difficulty", the only difficulty i play these kinds of games on). The game does still show some quality, it just isnt nearly as good as the game it is built on, and therefore, i cannot recommend it...
...and this comes from somebody, who didnt like real-time and tower-defense games in the past, and doesnt really enjoy virtual gaming, in general... This game, however, drew me in from the very beginning, and i had to stop my first play after more than 4 hours, because i needed to go to bed. Otherwise, i could have easily continued the whole night through... So, what is it, that makes this game so very special...? First of all, the great RPG mechanics: After each battle, no matter if won or lost, all heroes gain experience, with which skills can be learned and improved, and currency, with which new heroes can be hired, and equipment can be bought. Which makes the game highly enjoyable and rewarding. Then, the balance is amazing! Each stage can be played in four difficulties, each with their own rewards. These difficulties synergy extremely well with the campaign-difficulty, which means, that if you are not able to proceed in the campaign, you will be able to beat older stages at a higher difficulty, and vice-versa, so that there is always a progression to make, and that you never have to replay the same levels just for grinding! Furthermore, the game is extremely comfortable and polished, and plays and feels very intuitive, with all options to play the game as you like. On top, the story is well written and charming, and finally, the amount of content that you get for your money is more than satisfying (especially when taking into account, that DQ received a free overhaul, that added a lot of content, replayability and improvement to an already great game). There still is room for improvements. For example would i have wished for more complex talent-trees, more and more different classes, and equipment with different attributes. But, that still doesnt change the fact, that the game is extremely good, and absolutely deserves 5 of 5 stars...
The best game of the rogulike-ccg genre so far, and while not perfect and still leaving room for improvements, a great foundation for future games to build and improve on...
This game combines the best of multiple genres into one amazing title: It plays in real time, but also slow enough and with a pause option during which you can assign orders, and as such, satisfies the turn-based gamer as well. It features elements of tactics, where you command your troops against alien forces, but also elements of strategy, when you upgrade, research and build (during missions). There is a campaign, and scirmish battles are available as well. The graphics are simple but charming, and the controls and the camera are very intuitive. And finally, the whole package (with both DLCs) is so full of content, diversity and replayability, that the game can be enjoyed forever! Simply a classic and a timeless jewel...
I had an amazing time with the first version of Gwent, a good time after the desastrous winter update, and dont enjoy it anymore, now that the the awful homecoming release took the last spirit out of my great CCG love... Thanks for many great hours. Goodbye
