We chat about videogames and videogame accessories.

So one of the rad dudes from Shut Up and Sit Down gave me a beta key for Card Hunter. Card Hunter, if you haven't heard of it, is a odd hybrid between a Tactics-style strategy game and a collectible card game. I usually don't go for CCGs, but this game has been getting lots of press lately and I had a key, so I decided to check it out.

Cool stuff:

You build your deck of movement, action, armor and skill cards by equipping items in an RPG-style paper doll interface. The weapon you choose, for instance, will determine the attack cards you get. Some may give you a lot of weak cards, or a few strong cards, or a lot of strong cards but some burdensome negative Trait cards, etc. etc. This is cool! Building a character is interesting.

I also like the whole "kids playing D&D in a basement" aesthetic of the game. It's fun.


Bad stuff:

I'm not sure that the combination of tactical planning and relying on a hand of random cards for your actions really works so well. It can lead to some interesting bluffing situations - do I move here, gambling on the fact that I'll get an attack card next turn? - but it can also make battles feel frustratingly luck-based. You can make a good, sensible plan only to see it ruined by a shitty hand. Often this will leave you with no choice but to restart the match. It gets old fast.


I want to like this game, I really do. It's got a lot of cleverly designed elements. But I found myself having more fun building a deck than actually playing. I don't think I'll be spending any money on this.

It's a shame, too, because after the death of the awesome Star Chamber I've been looking for another good online strategy game.

Has anyone else played Card Hunter and/or have suggestions for cool similar games?