GWENT: The Witcher Card Game
- October 29, 2019
- CD PROJEKT S.A.
- 12h median play time
"GWENT: The Witcher Card Game is a casual online PvP card battle game with exceptional story and mechanics, sensational graphics, and a phenomenal soundtrack. Summon mighty Witcher-world heroes and engage in strategic battles, but be prepared for grinding and bugs. Immerse yourself in a dense atmosphere and enjoy the wholesome story, with moments of humor throughout."
Reviews
- Gwent offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience, with a focus on strategy and deck building.
- The graphics and animations are stunning, providing a visually appealing experience.
- The game is generous with rewards, allowing players to progress without needing to spend money.
- The app suffers from frequent connectivity issues and crashes, making it frustrating to play.
- The user interface can be confusing and clunky, especially for new players trying to navigate the menus.
- Some card abilities and mechanics are not well explained, leading to confusion during gameplay.
- gameplay803 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Gwent has received mixed reviews, with many praising its strategic depth, unique mechanics, and engaging art design. While some players appreciate the tactical elements and the challenge of mastering deck-building, others find the learning curve steep and the mechanics overwhelming. Additionally, issues such as bugs, slow gameplay, and a lack of intuitive tutorials have been noted, impacting the overall experience for new players.
“Gameplay and art are undeniably the best part of the game.”
“Very fun game with well-designed, challenging mechanics that improve upon the Witcher 3 in-game version.”
“The gameplay is satisfying, and deck building is fun too.”
“Unnecessary character actions and sound effects, which detract from, rather than enhance gameplay.”
“The gameplay is slow, even with 12 GB of RAM.”
“The mechanics are completely different and the way it's played has nothing at all to do with the real Gwent.”
- graphics584 mentions
- 72 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning quality and attention to detail, with many users praising the beautiful artwork and animations that enhance the overall experience. However, some players have reported issues such as graphical glitches, lag, and performance problems on lower-end devices, suggesting that while the visuals are impressive, they can be demanding on hardware. Overall, the game's graphics are considered top-notch for a mobile card game, capturing the essence of the Witcher universe effectively.
“Stellar graphics, vast deck options, phenomenal card art, and beautiful music from The Witcher 3 as well as the exclusive Gwent tracks.”
“The graphics look amazing and the game is quite rewarding.”
“Beautiful graphics, immersive gameplay, artwork & animation are just gorgeous.”
“Graphics seem like they were made in Microsoft Paint 3D; the gameplay is dumbed down with the artillery lane removed, and the tactical aspect is completely stripped from the game.”
“The graphics are blurry and the game stutters all the time.”
“Unplayable... visuals are stretched out of proportion.”
- stability183 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 95 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent glitches, freezes, and lag that significantly impact gameplay. Many players experience issues such as card mechanics not functioning properly, random disconnections, and the app crashing during matches, leading to lost games. While some users note that the game runs smoothly on certain devices, the overall consensus is that the game is plagued by bugs that detract from the experience.
“This is an amazing game, brilliant gameplay, animations are smooth, runs great on older devices.”
“Game is running smooth, no glitches, controls are well planned and easily accessed.”
“Runs great, works perfectly cross-platform (PC and phone for me) and it's just a great game.”
“The latest update made the game unplayable with card mechanic glitches and game functionality issues (that weren't present before).”
“It's buggy to a point it's unplayable.”
“Too unstable - freezes every two or three games, and occasionally force closes altogether.”
- monetization178 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The monetization model in Gwent is generally viewed as fair and non-intrusive, with no advertisements and microtransactions primarily focused on cosmetic items rather than gameplay advantages. While players appreciate the absence of pay-to-win mechanics, many express concerns about the high prices of in-app purchases and the presence of a battle pass system that can feel exploitative. Overall, players feel that while spending money is not necessary to enjoy the game, the monetization could be improved by reducing costs and simplifying the system.
“In-app purchases are available, but are neither compulsory nor intrusive.”
“Great fun, microtransactions are unobtrusive and totally optional.”
“The monetization is really customer friendly, and the game itself is great fun to play on the go or at home.”
“The way monetization is done is awkward, especially the battle pass and the shop.”
“It's a cash grab to keep people spending.”
“I regret spending money on this elaborate cash grab.”
- music112 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising its quality and its ability to evoke nostalgia for "The Witcher 3." The soundtrack enhances the overall atmosphere, complementing the game's visuals and gameplay, although some users expressed a desire for the inclusion of original tracks from the Witcher series. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.
“Stellar graphics, vast deck options, phenomenal card art, and beautiful music from The Witcher 3 as well as the exclusive Gwent tracks.”
“The art style is great, the soundtrack and effects really take you into the world of The Witcher and the strategy-based gameplay makes you feel like an actual commander on a battlefield.”
“Great music that adds more depth to the game's lore and story.”
“My only complaints are the somewhat unresponsive touch controls when trying to inspect cards and the fact that there's no option to use the original soundtrack from Witcher 3.”
“Just a shame that there seems to be a lack of a settings menu where I can turn off sound/music and vibration.”
“Great game, but with the new update and intro song being a woman screaming while on fire, it kind of makes me not want to boot up the game.”
- optimization111 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization on mobile devices has received mixed reviews. While many players appreciate the smooth performance and stunning graphics, several users report issues such as slow loading times, battery drain, and clunky controls, particularly on lower-end devices. There is a consensus that further optimization is needed to enhance the experience, especially regarding UI/UX and performance on various smartphones.
“The art style is gorgeous, the graphics are amazing for a mobile game, it runs smoothly and best of all it's intuitive enough where anyone can pick up and play regardless if they have previous knowledge of the Witcher series.”
“Graphics are great, animations are stunning, sound quality is good and performance for mobile is very optimized.”
“Amazingly optimized for Android, I'm not exactly at my computer all the time so being able to play Gwent while away from home and still on Android is great.”
“There's nothing wrong with my internet or my phone; I've optimized everything I could possibly optimize and still nothing.”
“The game isn't optimized for mobile, so the basic controls don't work.”
“Gwent has a horrible touch optimization for a mobile game; it feels clumsy, is open to mistakes and accidental actions, and I am usually scared to flash and check out the cards in my hands for this reason.”
- story106 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players expressing a desire for a more immersive single-player campaign akin to "Thronebreaker." While some enjoy the collectible elements and lore snippets that enhance the Gwent experience, others find the quest system tedious and lacking in depth, leading to a sense of grind rather than engagement. Overall, players appreciate the connection to the Witcher universe but feel that the absence of a dedicated story mode detracts from the game's potential.
“The story snippets are fun to read and add an element to Gwent reminiscent of the Dandelion journal entries of the games.”
“Gwent is a phenomenal game that utilizes Witcher lore in ways that stay true to the tone and theme of the story while using these elements to create an engaging, immersive gameplay loop!”
“The storyline and artwork are absolutely phenomenal.”
“The quests and journey are very underwhelming and it feels like a chore to complete; it sapped all the fun out of the game and now the new leader skills have done the same.”
“As much as I want to rate it 5 stars, the only drawback is that there is no single-player story mode.”
“Gets very boring because it's only PvP; where's the campaign or story mode? CDPR, please add one and make PvP secondary.”
- grinding53 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience. While some appreciate that it allows for free-to-play enjoyment without excessive pressure to spend money, many also describe the process as tedious and time-consuming, particularly when it comes to collecting cards and building competitive decks. Despite these frustrations, several users note that the game offers satisfying rewards for grinding, making it less burdensome than in other titles.
“Another thing I like is that it's not too grindy like other games, and they even give you starter sets so you don't have to go through the trouble of finding cards that complement each other in battle.”
“Great gameplay, awesome art and music, not too grindy in climbing rank, very fun experience overall.”
“And for god's sake, it's just a card game, why is it more tedious to log in here than for my bank account?”
“The only problem is that you can actually buy in-game stuff, which is not cosmetic, thus it is unfair for grinding players.”
“Fun to play, but the grinding is real.”
- atmosphere16 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 6 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its strong connection to the Witcher aesthetic, featuring beautiful card art, captivating animations, and an immersive soundtrack that enhances the experience. Players appreciate the blend of engaging gameplay with a rich, atmospheric setting, although some note that it diverges from the traditional Gwent experience. Overall, the atmosphere is described as enjoyable, artistic, and conducive to fun, making it a highlight of the game.
“Love the atmosphere when playing - the card art and animations are absolutely beautiful, and I will never get enough of that music.”
“Great atmosphere and music just like the Witcher games.”
“The game captures the same atmosphere from the critically acclaimed RPG.”
“It has the Witcher aesthetic and atmosphere.”
“Love the atmosphere and attitude of this game as well.”
- humor11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating its funny card interactions and accurate references to the Witcher franchise, which add a lighthearted touch. However, some users noted that the humor has diminished over time, particularly in relation to gameplay balance issues. Overall, the game is described as entertaining and amusing, with moments that elicit laughter, despite some frustrations with monetization and mechanics.
“Game's a nice little funny card game with Witcher fantasy characters and great music.”
“One of my favorite games, very addicting and balanced, rarely find glitches and when I do they're generally just little funny slips, like a card flying up in the air out of the blue.”
“It's funny because it is accurate to the franchise, which is Nilfgaard always causing trouble.”
- emotional11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting its significance in their friendships and experiences, with some even feeling moved to tears by the news of the PS4 port shutting down. However, frustrations with gameplay mechanics, such as difficulty accessing cards and bugs that disrupt play, detract from the overall emotional experience for some users. Despite these issues, many still regard the game highly, indicating a strong emotional investment despite the challenges faced.
“When I read that the PS4 port was shutting down, I cried.”
“This game means so much to me, it was me and my friends' favorite game. I'm a little bit disappointed when the devs decided to move to mobile and stop supporting console, but it's still a very good game. 10/10 would emotionally connect with a friend while playing this again.”
“My experience was as of touching my finger to the screen, feeling the electric shock and pure energy traveling through my body as I deal my cards!”
- replayability8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with expanded rules and deep strategic elements that encourage multiple playthroughs. Players appreciate the balance between replay value and accessibility, noting that it offers a generous experience without requiring excessive financial investment. The game's connection to the Witcher universe, along with its beautiful art and diverse deck options, further enhances its replayability.
“The rules are much expanded upon for longevity, strategy, and replayability.”
“Generous with resources, highly replayable, beautiful cards and atmosphere, and good fun.”
“Much refined since Witcher 3, Gwent is one card game that's fair, infinitely replayable, and so much fun!”
“The balance between replayability and profit is well done.”
“Loads of replay value here!”