Artifact game Review - Play Your Cards Right
Artifact: Valve's elite card gameValve sets foot in the world of online TCG with Artifact, their card game inspired by the DOTA universe. And if there is one thing for sure, it is that the American giant does nothing like the others.
With Artifact, Valve enters a field that seems both lucrative and saturated, that of online card games. To succeed in this environment with multiple contenders, you have to know how to stand out by proposing something unique. In this, Artifact succeeds on several points.
AN INNOVATIVE CONCEPT
The first is its gameplay, which does not hesitate to adopt some MOBA codes, starting with the system of towers and "lanes", the latter being represented by trays. It is therefore on three boards at the same time that the players will have to compete, which already densifies the experience of a notch! The idea is to lay your cards, if possible not overlooked, so that you can directly attack the opponent's tower and inflict damage. If you overturn two opposing turns, you win the game. An alternative victory condition is to destroy a tower, then destroy the Elder who appears in its place, which has many more hit points. A sort of "all for all", in short.To achieve your goals, you have several types of cards, including heroes, obviously essential to victory. These are powerful cards with active or passive abilities whose color determines which cards you can on the board they hold. Clearly, you can only play red cards on a board if you control a red hero there. This division of forces requires significant gymnastics of the brain since you will have to plan your shots in advance. Where should I put my hero? On a plateau where I'm outnumbered to protect my tower? Or on the one where I already dominate in order to destroy that of the opponent more quickly? With five heroes for three boards, you will often ask yourself these questions, especially as you can replay your heroes one lap after their death.
All this strategic aspect is what makes Artifact strong. We must plan ahead for our future moves, but also allow ourselves enough flexibility to adapt to the unexpected. Indeed, each turn, basic cryptids (the cryptids are the equivalent of the creatures of Magic) and arrows of attack direction are distributed randomly on each board. So that means that one of your heroes can suddenly find themselves facing two attackers, because of this simple draw. Fortunately, between each turn, you can also buy items at the store, via gleaned gold, killing cryptos and opposing heroes. The advantage of the items is that they can be used without spending mana and do not require the presence of a hero of a particular color. It is even possible to build your deck with the aim of earning maximum money quickly, Artifact being rather open to the different tactics to use to win.
ARTIFACT, TOO EXPENSIVE?
Artifact: Valve's elite card gameYou may have heard of Artifact’s business model if you’re interested in it. Not only does it pay for the purchase, but as a real TCG, it strongly encourages you to go to the checkout if you want to build a drinkable deck, and even worse if you want several. The good point is that it is quite possible to buy single cards, which allows you to find what you need without blindly trying your luck with boosters. In the event that you intended to put your hand in the pocket anyway, Artifact therefore allows you to make yourself a precise and meta deck for lower costs than in most free-to-play games. However, the Artifact system is much less attractive to anyone who likes to browse. Indeed, it is impossible to win cards, or any game currency, in the "free" modes of Artifact. You can participate in drafts, gauntlets, play against friends or the AI, but all this will be done only for fun, without any impression of advancing. To hope to win something, you must not only pay an entry fee for the formats provided, but even with a ratio of three wins to two losses, that is to say better than the average player, you do not just refund your ticket. You will need four wins for a maximum of two losses to win something (in this case, just a booster, in addition to the reimbursement of the ticket) and the "kill streak" cannot exceed five wins (for two boosters). Thus, to participate in the somewhat competitive formats, more than 60% of the players will have to go to the cashier. Did you say elitist?
Artifact: Valve's elite card game
In conclusion, two visions oppose this economic model. Some see it as a system close to physical card games and appreciate a deck construction that uses RNG less often. Others are worried about the money it takes to play, especially when you are not yet sure of your level. In other words, Artifact is clearly not intended for those who do not want to invest in it thoroughly, as well as those who like to change decks regularly to vary their experience. It is aimed exclusively at passionate players who only play for the competitive, offering few means of development to other players. It’s up to you to decide which category you are in.The notes
+ Positive points
The ingenious MOBA game on three boards
The omnipresent strategic aspect
Real deck themes
Ideal for competitive players
Being able to buy cards by the unit
-Negative points
No feeling of evolution for 60% of players
Expensive if you want to play multiple decks
Animations of questionable quality
Lack of visibility and some functions when building decks
If you had to judge only its rules and its gameplay, Artifact is an excellent card game which imposes a strategic vision of placement. You have to plan your moves in advance and it is possible to reverse complicated situations by simple decision-making. The object purchase system offers more flexibility and the decks are varied. However, its economic model, which takes a large part of the experience, reserves it for players who are not afraid to put in extra pennies, or who intend to ensure that they have a level well above average. players in a game that aims to be elitist. If you just want to have fun, play from time to time or if you like to have several competitive decks at your disposal, we do not recommend buying. You have been warned.
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