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Marvel Snap Review: Is Ben Brode's new CCG Pay-to-Win?

4K View2022-10-20

Marvel Snap is the brand new trading card game from former Hearthstone head of development, Ben Brode. The game has been in closed beta for the past fews months. But it has launched globally on October 18. This is my review after playing Marvel Snap well over 18 hours (not in one go). Compared to other digital ccgs in the market right now, Marvel Snap instantly stands out with its fast paced gameplay and the comic book style card artwork. The game currently features over 150 characters from the marvel Universe and over 2000 card art variants.

The main objective of the game (each consisting of 6 turns normally) is to have more power at at least 2 out of the 3 locations when the game ends. You can achieve this by playing out your cards which costs energy (mana) which starts at 1 and goes all the way upto 6 on turn 6. As with all card games, most cards have special abilities and it's your job to put them together in the most synergistic way possible in your 16 cards deck. That's where the similarities with other card games end though.

As I said, in each game there are three locations which are revealed in order on turn 1, 2 and 3. Each of this locations has a special effect, some which goes on until the game ends, some which goes off as soon as it's revealed, some which goes off at specific turns and some which goes off if you fill it up with cards or keep it empty. There is going to be a different combination of locations each game which ensures that no two games play out the same even if you are playing the same deck against the same opponent with identical hand-states.

Another unique feature is the snap mechanic. The reward of each game are cubes, which are used to climb the ranked ladder from recruit all the way up to Infinity. The base stakes are 2 cubes at the end of turn 6, but if you are feeling confident, you can snap and double the stakes. If both players snap, the final stakes goes up to 8 cubes per game. There is the option to retreat to end the game when the stakes are still low and you feel like this game ain't gonna be yours. Simply put, you can snap when you are winning and retreat when you are losing and this causes much less tilting during climbing as you are maximising your winnings and minimising your losses.

The graphics and music are top tier. The comic book style card art is excellent for the game using Marvel IP.

Aaaand now the elephant in the room, monetization. Is this just another mobile game that's gonna put a big hole in your wallet? No, not really. There are three main currencies, Credits which are used to visually upgrade cards (earned through completing missions and season pass as well as ranked rewards) . Boosters which are also used to upgrade cards, you earn 1 booster for each turn you played in a game for a card that was in your deck when the game ends. And Gold which is the premium currency used for buying cosmetics and card art variants (earned through missions, season pass and In-app purchases). Upgrading your cards (visual effects only, it doesn't affect what it does in-game) increases your collection level which is the main way to unlock new cards. 1 card is exclusive to the premium season pass each month but can be earned free-to-play when it ends. Buying your way through the game doesn't give you any advantage except that cards can be unlocked faster. And the matchmaking system is based on collection level and rank so that you won't be playing against players having super high end cards compared to yours.

Overall Marvel Snap is a fun, fast-paced and competitive CCG that's free-to-play friendly as well. Certainly give it a whirl if you like card games or if you like the Marvel Universe.

Thanks for reading :)

Mentioned games

MARVEL SNAP

8.1

Turn-Based TacticsCard BattlerSuperheroStrategyDeckbuildingCasualRacingMultiplayer

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MARVEL SNAP

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Comments

Kef

Fantastic review. I just started playing and have been really enjoying it

2022-10-24

Author liked

Cyclops was right!

This game getting boring to anyone else? I played the beta and was excitedly waiting for the release, but now I find it quite boring. You can upgrade the cards appearances, but they don't get any stronger. Yeah the maps are random and you're always unlocking new cards, but for what? To play the same game format over and over? Nah. I don't feel there's any real reward here.

2022-10-23

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The Marvel Universe Is Now A Strategy Card Game....And An Addicting One

Marvel Snap is essentially a card game focusing on marvel heroes and villains. But instead of your standard attack and defend and reduce your opponent health down to zero, marvel snap introduces a shake up to the card game world. Every Deck consists of 12 cards with a 6 turn match. Your goal is essentially to utilize your deck and beat your opponent 2 out of 3 areas by the time of your 6th turn. Bring your 12-card deck to the field to go against your opponent, Like other card battlers, each card has an energy cost (from one to six) and a power level (but no health – these cards do not fight each other). On turn one, you have one energy, On turn two, you have two, all the way up to six at turn six and now after some time I believe 10 matches or so will put you in a rank to go against actual players. The battlefield will look weird but you'll get the hang of it very soon as every match will start you with 3 varying locations based in the marvel world with varying effects to your battles and cards.

Chaotic Inc. 2K2022-10-28