Most negative reviews here can be summed up as "this is not the GWENT I'm used to". That shouldn't influence reviews in my opinion so even though I played the beta version of GWENT and loved it, here's my honest review on GWENT in its current state regardless of Nostalgic feelings. Gameplay: GWENT offers a unique take on the online card game genre where it feels like a card/board game hybrid. With its best of 3 round system and "1 card per turn" rule it allows for more skill expression than your typical mana-based card game. Mind games/bluffing, card advantage and intentionally losing a round while draining your opponent out of valuable resources are skills you barely think of in other card games. If you are looking for a competitive game where skill matters the most and luck the least look no further. Gwent is the chess of card games. Tutorial/new player experience: The tutorial is one of the best tutorials in any game i have played over the years. It manages to be very useful at grasping the basic concepts while providing a good story along the way in typical CD Projekt Red fashion (they even included choices/consequences). It feels like a mini RPG with missions, progression and rewards along the way. As for new player experience, it can be jarring finishing the tutorial and being presented with a slew of cards each with special effects and multiple keywords. the learning curve is steep, but rewarding nonetheless.Gwent is easy to play but hard to master. Economy: The game offers multiple options for unlocking rewards like daily quests, achievements and reward points, ranking systems and even the simple act of winning a round all contribute to your bank of scraps and ore used to buy kegs and craft cards. Even "meteorite powder", a currency used only for cosmetics, is given to players in generous amounts throughout the game. UI/Graphics: Beautiful menus and game boards are hindered by clunky/slow controls. The card art though is on another level. It is THAT good.
