Cards and Castles 2

About

"Cards and Castles 2" is a cross-platform collectible card game with a tactical twist, where cards come to life on a battlefield. The game features seven iconic factions, including the newly added undead, and offers various multiplayer and single-player modes. With free cards, cosmetic collectibles, and a draft mode, players can build unique decks and engage in worldwide online multiplayer gameplay.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 305 reviews

gameplay11 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Cards and Castles 2 offers a unique blend of card game mechanics and tactical board gameplay, making it engaging and strategic.
The game is very accessible for new players while still providing depth for veterans, with a generous free-to-play model that allows for competitive play without spending money.
The vibrant art style, charming animations, and diverse factions contribute to a fun and whimsical atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.

The game suffers from balance issues, with certain factions and cards being overpowered, leading to repetitive gameplay and frustration.
There are significant monetization concerns, with some players feeling that the game leans towards a pay-to-win model, especially at higher levels of play.
The multiplayer experience can be hindered by long wait times for matches and a lack of active players, often resulting in matches against bots.

gameplay
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
72%
6%
The gameplay of this collectible card game combines classic mechanics with innovative twists, offering a mix of strategic depth and dynamic interactions that keep players engaged. While many appreciate the tactical elements and variety in deck-building, some criticize certain mechanics as outdated or overly complex, leading to a mixed reception regarding balance and accessibility. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging combat system and the ability to experiment with different strategies, though it may require a learning curve for new players.
- “This game takes the classic collectible card game (CCG) formula and adds a delightful twist with its animated characters and tactical gameplay.”
- “Whether you're outmaneuvering your opponent or launching a surprise attack, the dynamic gameplay keeps you engaged from start to finish.”
- “The AI opponents are challenging but fair, and the card deck-building mechanic encourages you to think strategically and develop your own unique deck.”
- “The new mechanics are not fun; most games end the same way, with some overpowered card getting played and ending the game within a turn or two.”
- “I still hate RNG mechanics like 'steal', which allows you to take cards from your opponent's deck. It's a cool concept, but I really dislike it since you can be lucky and rob your opponent of their win condition or be unlucky and get cards that are useless for you.”
- “There is no tutorial or mechanic explanations, which makes it difficult for new players to understand the gameplay.”
graphics
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
31%
16%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their crispness, engaging art style, and fun animations, which contribute to an enjoyable aesthetic experience. While some players appreciate the whimsical and quirky visuals, others express a desire for higher resolution options to enhance the overall look. Overall, the graphics effectively complement the game's vibe and gameplay, making it visually appealing despite some calls for improvement.
- “Fun, engaging, pretty graphics.”
- “Plus, the art style and animations are just right for the game's vibe.”
- “Awesome card design, and a quirky and fun art style!”
- “Graphically, it is what it is, and I get that this is how they intend for the game to look.”
- “But man, if we had some better visuals or at least a high-resolution mode, I'd probably call it my favorite card game of all time.”
- “Nevertheless, if the goal was to be a grid-based summoner game with structural units and a whimsical art style, they succeeded.”
story
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
67%
20%
The story in "Cards and Castles 2" is generally viewed as lacking depth compared to other strategy games, with a focus on PvP rather than PvE content, which may deter some players. While the game features a brief introductory narrative and a single-player campaign that some find engaging, the overall storytelling experience is considered minimal and not as compelling as titles like Magic: The Gathering. Players who prefer a rich narrative may find the game less satisfying, while those who enjoy competitive play may appreciate its mechanics and deck-building options.
- “The single-player campaign is a great story with lots of neat moments.”
- “From the mission design to the story woven throughout, the team has really crafted an amazing single-player experience for those who may not be big into multiplayer or do not want to jump into multiplayer immediately.”
- “Comparing it to other strategy titles, Cards and Castles 2 has a unique blend of strategy and humor, but lacks depth in story.”
- “Its crisp graphics outshine Hearthstone, though its story lacks the depth of Magic: The Gathering.”
- “A real campaign, not just the short intro missions with a fixed deck.”
monetization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The monetization in the game has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the lack of aggressive monetization and the ability to enjoy the game without spending money, others criticize the increased presence of microtransactions and the battle pass system, feeling it detracts from the overall experience. Many express a desire for a return to the previous game's purchasing model, free from microtransactions. Overall, the monetization approach seems to polarize players, with some enjoying the current system and others viewing it as a cash grab.
- “Monetization does not feel aggressive at all, and it is perfectly possible to play and enjoy the game without investing real money on it.”
- “And it's very refreshing to see a game like this move away from the card packs and microtransactions model.”
- “- no microtransactions.”
- “I'm enjoying the game so far, but I deeply dislike the monetization in it.”
- “Because as a free-to-play player, you can't go really far due to microtransactions and mobile crossplay (aka the place where gamers are most likely to drop money).”
- “Also having a battle pass feels cheap; I hope it goes away once the game is fully released and uses the same system as the first game for in-game purchases.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
"Cards and Castles 2" is praised for its unique blend of strategy and humor, with players appreciating the game's funny art style and built-in comedic elements. However, some reviewers note that it lacks depth in its story, suggesting that while the humor is enjoyable, it may not be enough to elevate the overall experience.
- “Comparing it to other strategy titles, Cards and Castles 2 has a unique blend of strategy and humor, but lacks depth in story.”
- “Love the built-in humor and art style; it's a nice follow-up to the original!”
- “This is where it gets funny.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The music in the game has received high praise from users, with many highlighting its strong alignment with the gameplay and overall aesthetic. Reviewers appreciate the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the game's lore and experience.
- “Absolutely loved the music.”
- “Loved the gameplay and soundtrack.”
- “The lore, music, and aesthetic are all great.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players initially enjoy the thrill of grinding, but this excitement quickly diminishes as the repetitive nature of the activity sets in, leading to a sense of fatigue.
- “There's a fun rush at the beginning, but later on it fades really fast due to the constant grinding.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including a critical bug that causes it to freeze when interacting with the deck, necessitating a restart. This flaw severely hampers gameplay and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “I've played some buggy card games, but this one takes the cake.”
- “I like this game a lot, but my only real problem is a fatal bug that instantly freezes the game, forcing a restart when I click on my deck. I am unable to change cards in my deck, which really limits my ability to enjoy the game.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviewer expresses uncertainty about the game's replayability due to limited playtime and a lack of intention to explore it further.
- “I can't comment on the balance or replayability since I haven't played enough, and I don't intend to invest more time into it.”