Spectromancer HD - by Three Donkeys

[LordGek]

Originally Posted by LordGek

Wow!

A CCG like game with an option to have a tournament against AI opponents in a random order and the fact that you can't simply customize your deck for each meet to make the special deck that is the exact counter of your opponent, count me super impressed!

Now here is an annoyance, at least when playing the game on Kongregate which I assume this will be based on, how do I see the innate skill of my chosen spectromancer? Like here in the tournament I'm seeing the special rules in effect due to my opponent but can't see if my spectromancer is causing some rules to be in effect as well.

Doh! Those weren't special spectromancer powers but, I think in a very cool way ala Magic 2013's Plane Chase, just cool random modifiers in effect for each round of play in the tournament. Might be annoying to you both or inadvertently really work into one of the spectromancer's playing style.

Also worth mentioning that thus is CLEARLY the game that inspired that Chillingo abomination of a glitchy mess that, in all honesty, I can't recall the name of at the moment. You know, the half assed port of an old Palm game and probably the very first CCG like game for the iPhone.

As other's had mentioed, I like how there is a lot of overlap for each class in the game. Everyone is playing from some random 16 cards of the game's core 48 cards (1-12 in each of the 4 elements) BUT, there are always a set of an additional 4 spells (drawn out of a pool of 8) exclusive to your class. While I believe there is some auto balancing and the game won't allow some classically overpowering combos, you never really know which 20 spells you'll have in front of you for the duel.

Unique to this game, while I would still call it a card game, is that you don't really have a hand in this game. When the game starts you're given your random set of 20 spells (16 from the core set and 4 unique to your class) all at once. By default you gain 1 mana in each of your 5 schools of magic each turn so you have to decide how you spend this accumulated mana. Do you go for that little 1 point fire mana spell right off or hold off on using any fire spells until you've saved up enough to unleash the big 8 point Fire Elemental? Other than maybe whining about your initial selection of 20 spells, there is never any issue of not drawing the right card at the right time in this card game.

[soldat7]

I went ahead and bit. Great game but lacks Retina (iPad), asynchronous play, and Universal. Hopefully these will be addressed (no chance for Universal, I reckon.)

[drloony]

I think the game looks just good on iPad3 even without Retina. The online matches only last about 10 mins, and that's for a noob like me, so I don't see a problem there either, its well the way it is with games servers. After a few hours of having my @$$ handed to me online I'd recommend this to anybody who likes these fantasy CCG, though this is hardly a collectable card deck with only 2 expansions to speak of. for the game + expansions=$8, I'm happy with purchase

[LordGek]

Originally Posted by soldat7

I went ahead and bit. Great game but lacks Retina (iPad), asynchronous play, and Universal. Hopefully these will be addressed (no chance for Universal, I reckon.)

While not universal, can people play across the two formats (i.e. can I play somebody with the iPhone version on my iPad)?

[Misguided]

MrBass (or others) is the campaign enough to be worthwhile as a single-player game only for someone that isn't into MP? I tried Kard Combat and that it was neat, so I'm tempted by this.

[LordGek]

Originally Posted by Misguided

MrBass (or others) is the campaign enough to be worthwhile as a single-player game only for someone that isn't into MP? I tried Kard Combat and that it was neat, so I'm tempted by this.

You can play tournaments against the AI as any of the 12 classes at multiple difficulty levels. While each tournament is only you facing off in a 10 player tournament, there are multiple leagues so besting 1 will allow you to move onto a tougher group of opponents. I like how each battle throws in some random environmental modifiers (like how you and your opponent will start with less life, a random 10 of your 20 spells will be inaccessable each turn, etc.) sort of like planes in Magic 2013's Plane Chase.

[fastspinecho]

Originally Posted by LordGek

While not universal, can people play across the two formats (i.e. can I play somebody with the iPhone version on my iPad)?

You can play people with the PC version if you have the iPad version (I have both). I don't know about iPhone version, but I would bet that it uses the same player pool as the rest.

[fastspinecho]

Originally Posted by Misguided

MrBass (or others) is the campaign enough to be worthwhile as a single-player game only for someone that isn't into MP? I tried Kard Combat and that it was neat, so I'm tempted by this.

There is a campaign similar to that in Kard Combat. You play a series of AIs under various conditions, some of which I seem to remember from Kard Combat (e.g. both game have a scenario with a creature that respawns itself with +1 attack whenever killed). Like in KC, you often get to choose one of two rewards when you win a battle.

A few differences: First, you select one of three opponents each round in Spectromancer, whereas KC used a ladder. Second, in KC the campaign unlocks new cards, whereas in Spectromancer all cards are unlocked at the start, but you can "upgrade" them into more powerful versions for the duration of the campaign.

[mrbass]

Originally Posted by Misguided

MrBass (or others) is the campaign enough to be worthwhile as a single-player game only for someone that isn't into MP? I tried Kard Combat and that it was neat, so I'm tempted by this.

I seem to enjoy this a tad more than Kard Combat and I really loved Kard Combat don't get me wrong. Each mage you battle in campaign before you start click the "Scenario Description" to see any special victory conditions or special starting advantages. I like the interface overall better. For example in Kard Combat if you have a card that heals all your creatures it'll animate each and everyone one by one but gets old quick. In Spectromancer it'll show it healing all of the +3 simutaneously. Just feels more streamlined.

Yes I am not sure I'll get into multiplayer for awhile. I'll play through many campaigns. Currently doing hard as normal seems too easy. Also you can play single duels with AI and I don't think that'd every get old with a game with this much depth and randomization...always will keep you on your toes.

[sangreal]

Awesome card game.