If you're interested something different, and you like card games - specifically the card combat games - you might want to take a look at Apus Software's new production, Astral Masters. It's a card game along the lines of Magic: The Gathering.
For those of us new to the "card combat" games - they're a type of game where you use cards with different abilities and powers to either outthink or tactically outmaneuver your opponent. And unlike some of the earlier games we've all played (anyone remember War?), there is some serious strategy going on in these games. Just using brute force won't win the day.
Like its predecessor, Magic: The Gathering, Astral Masters is a card game that uses cards with special abilities. In fact, if you're already a fan of MTG you'll find this game to be a treat. Fairly simple to learn, I was up and playing within about 10 minutes of downloading the demo. I had some problems, like trying to order my creatures (rather, cards) to attack, but the help files are all there, if a bit difficult for some to read.
Like most card games, each player takes a turn either placing or discarding cards. Each card, however, has a "power" cost to play; this cost comes from the player's astral power pool, which can be increased by discarding cards. In some games it becomes a choice - or rather a strategy - to discard or not to discard. Once a player has enough points to place a card, he can then do so and the game begins. The card game itself tends to be rather fast paced from that point on, with only the starting rounds being slow as each player agonizes over what to discard.
There are many things about Astral Masters that helps set it apart from the other card games on the market. For instance, the ability to play others: no longer are you forever trying to face the computer down, instead you have several choices when it comes to playing others, ranging from hot-seat games, to online leagues. Or, if you prefer the simple one-on-one matches, opponents can be found on the AM website, either in a ladder ranking system or via their forums.
One thing I'd like to point out about the league games however; if you win or place in the game, you're rewarded cards and "mental abilities" - the pool that allows you to hold more cards in your deck. This pool comes into play when you're creating your own deck. Each card has a point cost associated with it, and winning league matches raises this pool. The cards you receive from these matches become free cards, meaning they have no point cost to "buy" and can be added to your deck at will. I've looked at some of the pre-built computer player decks, and they run as high as 4,000 points. Since you only start with about 600 points, you've got a bit of playing and winning to do before you get to have the custom deck you've always wanted.
Speaking of cards, there's 52 different types of cards that can be found on the playing field - each of four suites: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Each card has its own special abilities that are used while they're in play.
Getting into the meat and bones of the game, the program itself: graphically … well, there aren't any graphics. The game is a 2d flat layout suitable to most card games - graphics here would probably draw away from the gameplay and confuse the user. That's not to say the look of the game is bad. Most of the actual images in the game are focused on the key elements of the game - the cards.
Musically, there isn't much music or sound included with the game, and what there is can be either increased or decreased via the main menu. Since the sound that is included with the game tends to be a tad repetitive, the ability to mute it and play something I actually like by using various music programs is a bonus.
Game play … well, You'll either love this game or hate it. If you're into tactical or strategic based games you'll probably love this game. There are strategies within strategies. Being card based, there is infinite re-playability, and you'll most likely be playing this for a long time to come.
Overall, this is a fairly solid, bug free game. It's easy to learn and plays fairly fast - your typical game lasting under 15 minutes. The only problems that I can see are the minor spelling mistakes that can be found on the cards, and the difficulty of the computer opponents. Yes, you can win, but don't expect to be able to right at the start. I've been playing for a while, and I still only win occasionally. If there's any one piece of advice I can give people, it's "play the computer league." It's actually easier to play and win there than on the "novice" computer setting.
Got started in the gaming industry with the beta for Asheron’s call. From there I’ve pretty much done a huge amount of beta’s for the industry. I’ve beta’d games, worked in customer service for games – been a game cop (kinda like a higher level gm…), written articals for games, about games, hint’s and tips for games.
It’s probably pretty safe to say that I have either beta’d or played every MMRPG game that has come out onto the market since 1999 – And I’ve played muds, moo’s and mush’s as well. My likes about the game industry. Oh so much creativity! So little time. Dev’s doing what they say they will. Hmm, What else do I like about games. Well, I do like to explore… Some dislikes. Well, I really, really hate buggy games. Especailly buggy games that are actually really interesting. There’s nothing worse then having this super-hyped game that’s groundbreaking in many new ways – only to have it unplayable due to stupid little bugs that should have been cleared up waaaay before release.
