Since Yuwan is a new hero, he also receives particularly many cards in this set to catch up with the already existing characters.
But there are also fresh cards for the other 7 classes – thanks to 10 free card packs, even skeptical players can first get an impression.
Additionally, the update brought the new format system, which you may already know from Magic or Hearthstone. Only the last 5 card sets can be used in the ranked mode quintuple, but older cards can still be used in the “Unlimited” mode.
Shadowverse: Free2Play or Pay2Win?
The big question with free-to-play titles is of course: What does the in-game shop look like? Is the game pay-to-win? Can you still have fun and be successful as a “free” player?
The short answer: Yes, as a free player, you can have fun.
The longer answer: It depends. Those who always want to have the “best” deck will have to resort to buying numerous card packs or invest a lot of time in the game. However, Shadowverse immediately comes up with many free packs at the beginning. At the start of a new expansion, each player is offered 10 free packs of the latest expansions – without any time limit. So those who start with the game now can open about 70 card packs, which already provides many cards.
Shadowverse rewards the player at almost every corner. There are always rupies (“gold”), tickets for free card packs, arena accesses, or crafting materials to create desired cards directly. However, players already obtain a solid base of basic cards through the story campaigns.
At least after a few days of playtime, Shadowverse seems to have a very solid and fair offer in the shop.
Especially the ability to buy a solid starter deck for a few euros is something you miss in other games (*cough* Hearthstone).
Critique Points – Minor Flaws that Can Be Tolerated
Despite all the praise, Shadowverse is not a perfect game, although the points of criticism can all be categorized as “minor”.
The menus are partly confusing. Maybe I just handled it clumsily, but if I first have to search on Google for how and where I can pick up my “free card packs”, then that does not speak well for the menu navigation.
Shadowverse with German Texts and English Voiceover
Another point of criticism is the translation in the story mode with English voiceover. Occasionally, it does not match the German texts at all.
This is because the German texts were directly translated from Japanese, while changes were made for the English voiceover adaptation. Therefore, the characters occasionally say things that look completely different in the written text.
Shadowverse Review: Who Needs This? I Need This!
Cortyn says: Honestly, I had little desire for Shadowverse at first. My first (very superficial) impression was: “A Hearthstone with anime characters – who needs that?” But after about 3 hours in the game, I was clear: I need this.
Shadowverse not only impresses with its great anime style but also manages (at least currently) to banish Hearthstone far, far from my consciousness. Meaningful mechanics like development, which add additional tactical elements to the match, and the fair reward system make Shadowverse a top-notch virtual card game.
If you are tired of Hearthstone and prefer to spend your time with waifus, you should definitely check out Shadowverse.
Are you looking for a reasonable card game, but Hearthstone is not your thing? Then Shadowverse (PC, iOS, Android) might be worth a look. In our Shadowverse review, we reveal to you why the game rocks, whether it is available in German, and how you can start the download.
There are now many digital card games, but really successful ones are few. One of those successful titles is Shadowverse. It combines the proven gameplay principle of collectible card games with anime aesthetics and has thus chosen the “manga freaks” as its target audience – or simply all who want to play a well-thought-out card game.
Since Hearthstone by Blizzard is currently the market leader in the field of digital card games, we cannot avoid some comparisons. However, this nicely shows what Shadowverse does better than Blizzard’s title.
Shadowverse Download
How can you play Shadowverse?
- Shadowverse is free – on PC via Steam (link to the Shadowverse Steam page).
- In the iTunes App Store, you can find Shadowverse here: Shadowverse in the App Store
- On Google Play: Shadowverse on Google Play
Proven Gameplay Principle with Meaningful Additions
The gameplay principle of digital collectible card games should now be familiar. In Shadowverse, the turns of the players are also separated. In other words: Player A completes his turn first, then it’s Player B’s turn. Intervening in between is not possible. Some players might miss this, but it guarantees a smooth course of the game.
The special feature of Shadowverse is the ability to develop minions (or “servants”) from the 5th turn. This makes the characters stronger (normally +2/+2), can attack opposing minions in the same turn, or benefit from other effects. This turns every card into a double threat. Should one leave the weak 1/2 minion on the battlefield? He is no threat, but if he is developed, he could eliminate my 7/3 minion from the field…
Each player only has a limited number of developments available, which makes tactical planning essential.
Arena Mode – Like in Hearthstone, but Less Frustrating
There is also an arena mode in Shadowverse. For an entry fee, which can be paid either in in-game currency, “ticket rewards”, or real money, you can buy in. Three of the eight classes are available for selection in each run. Then, 2×2 cards are offered each time, a total of 15 times – so you build an arena deck from a total of 30 cards.
With the fresh deck, you then play 5 matches against other players – no more, no less. After 5 matches, however, it is always over and the deck is destroyed. Depending on how many victories were obtained with the deck, there are different rewards. This ranges from card packs to in-game currency, so that you can also earn the next arena round again.
This is surprisingly fun! Because with each deck, you are guaranteed to complete 5 games, a loss is also not as frustrating as it can be in Hearthstone’s arena.
The Story Behind the Characters
What stands out about Shadoverse is that each of the now 8 classes has its own campaign. The story is told in the style of a visual novel and is completely voiced – either in the original Japanese or in English.
Anime fans may roll their eyes at the clichéd archetypes of the characters from time to time, but the campaigns are entertaining, free to play, and can even be completed with the standard decks that do not require additional cards, although this can become quite tricky in the later missions.
In addition, the campaigns serve a clear purpose: You fall in love with the characters and thus also with the game. The images of the respective hero are therefore much more than just the “skin” of a character, but one can identify much better with them. It is simply much more fun to play the little crazy necromancer Luna when you know her backstory!
New Update: ChronoGenesis Brings 8th Character Class
Just a few days ago (on December 28, 2017), Shadowverse received a major update that even brought a new class.
The hero Yuwan, with his Machinae set, relies on a new mechanic called “Resonance”. Resonance triggers additional effects on cards and is only active when the player of Yuwan has an even number of cards in his deck. Through various effects that mix new cards into the deck, one can activate or deactivate resonance at will.
Since Yuwan is a new hero, he also receives particularly many cards in this set to catch up with the already existing characters.
But there are also fresh cards for the other 7 classes – thanks to 10 free card packs, even skeptical players can first get an impression.
Additionally, the update brought the new format system, which you may already know from Magic or Hearthstone. Only the last 5 card sets can be used in the ranked mode quintuple, but older cards can still be used in the “Unlimited” mode.
Shadowverse: Free2Play or Pay2Win?
The big question with free-to-play titles is of course: What does the in-game shop look like? Is the game pay-to-win? Can you still have fun and be successful as a “free” player?
The short answer: Yes, as a free player, you can have fun.
The longer answer: It depends. Those who always want to have the “best” deck will have to resort to buying numerous card packs or invest a lot of time in the game. However, Shadowverse immediately comes up with many free packs at the beginning. At the start of a new expansion, each player is offered 10 free packs of the latest expansions – without any time limit. So those who start with the game now can open about 70 card packs, which already provides many cards.
Shadowverse rewards the player at almost every corner. There are always rupies (“gold”), tickets for free card packs, arena accesses, or crafting materials to create desired cards directly. However, players already obtain a solid base of basic cards through the story campaigns.
At least after a few days of playtime, Shadowverse seems to have a very solid and fair offer in the shop.
Especially the ability to buy a solid starter deck for a few euros is something you miss in other games (*cough* Hearthstone).
Critique Points – Minor Flaws that Can Be Tolerated
Despite all the praise, Shadowverse is not a perfect game, although the points of criticism can all be categorized as “minor”.
The menus are partly confusing. Maybe I just handled it clumsily, but if I first have to search on Google for how and where I can pick up my “free card packs”, then that does not speak well for the menu navigation.
Shadowverse with German Texts and English Voiceover
Another point of criticism is the translation in the story mode with English voiceover. Occasionally, it does not match the German texts at all.
This is because the German texts were directly translated from Japanese, while changes were made for the English voiceover adaptation. Therefore, the characters occasionally say things that look completely different in the written text.
Shadowverse Review: Who Needs This? I Need This!
Cortyn says: Honestly, I had little desire for Shadowverse at first. My first (very superficial) impression was: “A Hearthstone with anime characters – who needs that?” But after about 3 hours in the game, I was clear: I need this.
Shadowverse not only impresses with its great anime style but also manages (at least currently) to banish Hearthstone far, far from my consciousness. Meaningful mechanics like development, which add additional tactical elements to the match, and the fair reward system make Shadowverse a top-notch virtual card game.
If you are tired of Hearthstone and prefer to spend your time with waifus, you should definitely check out Shadowverse.
