Written by TheChoujinVirus
Note: I apologize if this was a problem but tech troubles made it hard to post it on time. However, better late than never. This review may contain spoilers
Card games, some of the most exciting things your boy has played for a very long time. From games like Magic: The Gathering to Yu-Gi-Oh to even odd and obscure card games like Magi-Nation and Cardfight! Vanguard. Online card games aren’t new as you had the same games move to the digital front, while new games like Hearthstone walked into this for the first time. Though out of all games, there’s one that stood out fascinatingly, and that game is called Gwent: The Witcher Card Game.
For those like myself, who are clueless, Gwent is a card game that existed in both the novel and Witcher game series (and was a playable mini-game in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt). Gwent started on October 23, 2018, and had a sister game, a Standalone singleplayer game called Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales. What makes the game unique is not just the universe and its in-game reference, but rather how the game is played and the skill level required.
Gameplay
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game interestingly has a straightforward rule: Build up points and win before your opponent can. This is vastly different compared to most card games that have monsters killing each other and attacking your enemy directly. It’s kind of like a game of Blackjack; only you’re not limited to twenty-one. The gameplay requires strategy as you can either play your high point cards early or save them for later. I could explain the rules, but it seems the Developers have that covered. Though in short, it’s a game that does require you to think on your toes and play smart, then just rushing and beating down your enemies.
Pros: What makes Gwent glimmer with gold
Gwent’s basis and the game does add a hint of strategy, and the races do have such unique playstyles. One such I’ve played in the Monster faction, which is made up of some of the Witcher series such as Vampires, undead, and other nasty beasties. They do dirty tricks like damaging and devouring their own (some of them have abilities that trigger upon death.) Others, such as the Dwarven and Elven faction of Socia’Tael, use tricks and traps to damage your cards while boosting and healing their cards. Others like the Northern Realms provide support to their units and offer some great bonuses when specific cards placed on the board. The Viking-like Skelliege specializes in damaging your enemies with brute force like any good barbarian group. The extremely dastardly Syndicate who can use tricks like poison and control to turn the tide on the map.
Another thing is the game is updating and changing. As of today, Gwent: The Witcher Card Game recently released its second expansion: Merchants of Ofir, which adds some new cards and a unique thing called Scenarios. Sadly, I haven’t gotten these cards from the expansion or have tried the other two factions, but they do sound good in the long run.
Another great thing is the starter decks the game gives you premade, perfect for new players to test out each faction and their playstyle (and maybe get hints on how to build cards of your favorite faction). On the plus side, you do have characters and actual characters related to the lore of the game (heck, Gwent is essentially the game within a game)
Cons: What makes Gwent smell like Nekker crap?
Though the game has its perks like starter decks, the game can be a bit tough to get into if you’re a new player. Individual powerful cards do cost scraps (currency needed to build cards) so that they can feel intimidating when you’re fighting against other players that may have had stronger cards for a longer time than you. The game’s unique skills do require you to think on your feet, so it may not be for everyone who plays card games outside of some of the more familiar ones. Lastly, it could also be confusing if one isn’t familiar with the Witcher series or the lore behind Gwent. Unlike Hearthstone or Yu-Gi-Oh, Gwent is from the Witcher universe itself. So some might not know that Gwent is a game within a game if this is their first entry into the Witcher series.
Witching Conclusion
So if you’re familiar with the Witcher series and want a card game that’s not related to the typical variant, I would recommend Gwent: The Witcher Card Game.
Oh and if you’re interested in playing this game for PC (or the recently released mobile version
here’s the link https://www.playgwent.com/invite-a-friend/KOGYP0HQC9 so you can start out playing the game on a bit more of equal grounds (and helps your boy too)
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