So, recently Blizzard started the Beta for their new Free-to-Play card game Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft and we got our hands on it. To say the least I was impressed from what I was expecting, as this is of course Blizzard’s first online card game. They have however done quite a good job incorporating the Warcraft lore and feel into the game without making it feel too serious and keeping it at the nice casual level of gaming that I feel fits the game.
When you start you only are able to pick from one type of deck or “class” that would be a basic mage deck with the Jaina hero. Once you play a few games and beat the tutorial you will be able to play the other class A.I to unlock those classes then level them up to get new cards. Most main cards for a deck will be unlocked by hitting level 10 with the deck. However some will be needed to open using the card packs or crafting. Several rarity types of card exist, regular/white rare/blue orange/legendary and “gold” or the IRL equivalent of a foil card can come in any of those. So you can get a legendary gold card.
Gameplay seems pretty balanced from the beginning, with no doubts that it will get better before release. Some concerns arise with some certain types of builds on rogues and sometimes shaman decks causing what seems to be unfair but again… beta is beta and nothing more especially if your looking at balance. The boards are pretty interesting and intractable to give you something to do when waiting on “That guy” to finish his turn. Music is very peaceful and really keeps you calm during the game I have to say I love it. Also introduced is an arena play, a buy to get in (ingame currency or $$) arena mode. It’s basicaly a draft pick that lets you choose 1 out of 3 random classes, then lets you pick card by card from a 3 choice card pool for each card in your deck. Then you go to matches until two things happen, 3 losses or 9 wins. 9 wins nets you quite the haul and generally 100%+ return in what you invested to get in the arena and more while less may not. You also for those like mentioned below on the tablet do NOT have to play all 3-11 matches at once get tired of playing hearthstone… pick up the same arena match/deck and continue later or tomorrow!
On another note, it wont be JUST a PC game but coming to tablets as well and well this is THE PERFECT tablet game if I have ever seen one. Games are relatively quick 10-15 min max normally. The controls seem like its already meant for a touchscreen anyways (not that it’s bad at all with a mouse!).
Of course there is some things wrong and the biggest controversy is going to be… “Wait you said it was free-to-play right? What’s the catch?!?!” Well, yes there is Real money transactions. However EVERYTHING that can be gotten with money CAN be gotten with time and it doesn’t take 10 years like every other game. I’ll list the costs below for refrence but don’t be worried about the Micro-transactions ruining your fun. There will be plenty of people not using it just like you!
2 card packs (10 cards): $2.99 USD
7 card packs (35 cards): $9.99 USD
15 card packs (75 cards): $20.00 USD
40 card packs (200 cards): $50.00 USD
It’s not that expensive if you just buy a few packs but… it’s a slippery slope if you get too addicted!
Overall, Hearthstone is a fun card game worth trying if you either get a chance at a beta key or when it finally releases for Tablets and PC all over. If nothing else, it’s good competetive fun with either a friend or random people online and is spends that 10 min you can’t do anything else in on something fun!
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