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GWENT: The Witcher Card Game

Months after the final release, Gwent: The Witcher Card Game is still going strong. The minigame-turned-esport continually goes through iterations and patches, shedding skins and morphing into a real beast of a card game. It has a wistful past, a solid present, and a bright future.
86%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
grinding, monetization
86% User Score Based on 14,980 reviews
Critic Score 85%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

PCAndroidiPhoneXboxPlaystation 4WindowsPlayStationXbox OneMobile PlatformiPadPhoneTabletTablet

About

"GWENT: The Witcher Card Game is a free, fantasy-themed digital card game set in the Witcher universe. It features multiplayer PvP duels with bluffing and strategic deck-building, allowing players to collect iconic characters, spells, and abilities. The game offers a fair progression system and various modes, including classic, seasonal, and Arena."

GWENT: The Witcher Card Game screenshot
GWENT: The Witcher Card Game screenshot
GWENT: The Witcher Card Game screenshot
GWENT: The Witcher Card Game screenshot
GWENT: The Witcher Card Game screenshot
GWENT: The Witcher Card Game screenshot
GWENT: The Witcher Card Game screenshot
GWENT: The Witcher Card Game screenshot
GWENT: The Witcher Card Game screenshot
GWENT: The Witcher Card Game screenshot
GWENT: The Witcher Card Game screenshot
+2

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 14,980 reviews
gameplay590 positive mentions
grinding204 negative mentions

  • Gwent offers a unique blend of strategic depth and accessibility, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and seasoned players.
  • The game features stunning artwork and immersive sound design that effectively capture the essence of the Witcher universe, enhancing the overall experience.
  • Players appreciate the high replayability due to its variety of factions, strategic depth, and constant updates that keep the gameplay fresh.
  • Concerns about balance and the presence of pay-to-win elements have been noted, particularly in the competitive environment.
  • The game is criticized for being buggy and unstable, with numerous reports of glitches and performance issues across platforms.
  • Some players find the grinding aspect excessive and tedious, especially when trying to build competitive decks.
  • gameplay
    1,508 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Gwent's gameplay is characterized by its strategic depth and unique mechanics, offering a blend of accessibility for newcomers and complexity for seasoned players. The game features a two-row system that encourages tactical decision-making, with frequent updates introducing new cards and mechanics to keep the experience fresh. While many players appreciate the engaging gameplay and stunning visuals, concerns about balance and the presence of pay-to-win elements have been noted, particularly regarding the competitive environment.

    • “The gameplay is easy to pick up but difficult to master, offering depth and plenty of tactical choices.”
    • “Drawing from the rich lore of the Witcher universe, Gwent delivers a unique gameplay experience that combines strategic depth with accessibility, making it enjoyable for both seasoned players and newcomers alike.”
    • “Gwent's gameplay offers a sophisticated mix of strategic depth, innovative row mechanics, and dynamic card interactions, ensuring each match is a fresh and intellectually stimulating experience.”
    • “They basically took everything you loved about that Gwent, threw it out, and replaced it with a bunch of pay-to-win nonsense mechanics.”
    • “Then there's the overall gameplay which, as stated, is basically just a pay-to-win scam the same as every other 'free'-to-play game on the market.”
    • “The gameplay is completely unique and it is very tragic to see CDPR not take care of the game the way it deserved.”
  • graphics
    902 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of Gwent are widely praised for their stunning artwork and animations, which effectively bring the Witcher universe to life. Many players appreciate the intricate designs of the cards and the immersive visual effects, although some find the graphics overly flashy and distracting, making gameplay challenging. Overall, the game is noted for its high production value, with beautiful visuals that enhance the strategic experience, despite some concerns about performance on older hardware.

    • “The visuals are stunning, with beautiful art and animations that bring the cards to life.”
    • “Featuring stunning hand-drawn artwork and captivating effects, every card and battlefield contributes to the immersive experience, bringing the Witcher universe to life.”
    • “The artwork and presentation of Gwent are simply breathtaking.”
    • “The graphics are too flashy and distracting, making it harder to tell what was happening, harder to identify the cards, and harder to take in the field of play.”
    • “Graphics are meh, game uses more resources than it should, 0 voice acting on cards, also too much complexity making it difficult and time-consuming to learn, very little information outside of a completely useless tutorial.”
    • “But the graphics engine is pretty different, it looks more like Caesar 4 (which is not a compliment) than the Gwent in Witcher 3.”
  • story
    448 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game lacks a traditional narrative, but it is set in the Witcher universe, incorporating characters and lore that enrich the experience for fans. While there are no dedicated story modes, players can engage with the lore through quests and card interactions, and the game features a separate single-player campaign, "Thronebreaker," which offers a more structured story. Overall, the storytelling is considered minimal and primarily conveyed through the game's mechanics and card art rather than a cohesive plot.

    • “While Gwent doesn't have a traditional storyline, it's deeply rooted in the Witcher universe. Each card and character brings a slice of the Witcher's story to the table, enriching the game experience for fans of the series.”
    • “One of the best upsides to playing this game is the rich backstory that gradually unfolds as you unlock each chapter. New expansions are also filled with story and personality.”
    • “Thronebreaker is a fully fledged singleplayer Gwent campaign with a great story. I recommend playing this together with Witcher Tales: Thronebreaker if you are looking for something like this but with a surprisingly intriguing story.”
    • “Story: there is no real story but, the game is set in the witcher universe and features characters and lore from the books and video games.”
    • “Short story, I do not recommend playing this game.”
    • “It also doesn't have any PvE mode or a story mode, which I would love, because I suck at PvP.”
  • music
    284 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, drawing heavily from the beloved soundtracks of the Witcher series. Players appreciate the captivating orchestral compositions and thematic sound effects that complement the stunning artwork and lore, creating an immersive experience. However, some users noted a desire for more variety in the soundtrack, as certain tracks can become repetitive over time.

    • “The audio design, with its evocative sound effects and thematic music, further enhances the atmosphere, immersing players in the rich world of the Witcher series.”
    • “Gwent has got one of the best soundtracks in gaming history. It uses elements from both The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which are two games with excellent soundtracks.”
    • “The music is great at keeping you engaged and makes the atmosphere of the game feel incredible.”
    • “Music and UI is awful.”
    • “I was excited to play this after playing Gwent in Witcher 3, but I don't know man, this version is kinda boring and the music is not as epic as Witcher 3.”
    • “For the most part, you will hear the same song over and over again, which is a shame taking into account the Witcher 3 soundtrack.”
  • grinding
    226 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while it can be tedious and time-consuming, it is generally more manageable compared to other free-to-play collectible card games. Some players appreciate the ability to earn cards and cosmetics through gameplay without feeling pressured to spend money, while others find the grind excessive, especially when trying to build competitive decks. Overall, the game offers a fair balance of grinding and rewards, but it may become repetitive for those who prefer a more casual experience.

    • “Not too grindy for free-to-play players like myself, with many nice cosmetics for people who want to support this free game.”
    • “Game is not grindy as many others tend to be, you're rewarded quite a lot just by playing.”
    • “Rounds are not tedious and not too short.”
    • “However, it's a very, very, very grindy game that's just going to be frustrating and hopeless for people that don't want to spend hours and hours every day trying to get every card.”
    • “But the amount of grinding required to start to put together a sort of themed deck is otherworldly, enough to scare the worst of the Chinese sweatshops.”
    • “I really wish it didn't make it so grindy... gets boring only playing one faction because that's the only faction you can play due to the fact that you use all your ore to make the cards you need for that single faction.”
  • monetization
    208 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model of the game is generally viewed as fair and generous, primarily focusing on cosmetic microtransactions that do not impact gameplay. Players can progress without spending money, as there are ample opportunities to earn resources through gameplay, although some express frustration over the increasing number of microtransactions and the potential for a pay-to-win environment. Overall, while the game includes optional purchases, many reviewers appreciate that it does not force players to spend money to enjoy or succeed in the game.

    • “My favorite thing is that in-game purchases are truly optional.”
    • “The game offers in-game purchases, but they are often just for cosmetic items.”
    • “There are in-game purchases, which are all optional and purely cosmetic (leader skins, card boards, music, etc.) with no pay-to-win elements whatsoever.”
    • “Crazy amount of microtransactions, don't play it.”
    • “This standalone game, however, feels like an opportunistic cash grab.”
    • “While I enjoy Gwent and Witcher, this is nothing but a cash grab and pay-to-win.”
  • atmosphere
    62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning art direction and immersive sound design, which effectively capture the dark and rich essence of the Witcher universe. Players appreciate the beautifully illustrated cards, atmospheric animations, and evocative music that together create a deeply engaging experience, making each match feel like a feast for the senses. Overall, the game's visuals and audio contribute to a unique and captivating atmosphere that stands out among other card games.

    • “The art direction beautifully captures the essence of the Witcher universe, with richly illustrated cards and atmospheric animations that bring the game to life.”
    • “The audio design, with its evocative sound effects and thematic music, further enhances the atmosphere, immersing players in the rich world of the Witcher series.”
    • “Visually it's stunning, with richly detailed card art and immersive scenery that really captures the atmosphere of the Witcher's world.”
    • “Game is based on a mini-game from one of the best RPGs ever created, but it's very different from the original and offers a much more interesting experience - you can see balanced gameplay and feel the dark and cruel atmosphere of the Witcher universe.”
    • “Finally, the music and overall atmosphere of the game have been hit on the head of the nail, and myself, along with most of the community, expected no less from CD Projekt Red.”
    • “If you like the world of the Witcher, the atmosphere, setting, and lore will enhance your experience.”
  • humor
    58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in Gwent is often described as both entertaining and perplexing, with players finding amusement in its chaotic mechanics and the absurdity of certain game elements, such as overpowered cards and unbalanced matchups. Many reviews highlight the game's witty references to the Witcher universe, which add a layer of charm, while others express frustration over the matchmaking system and the game's balance issues, leading to a mix of laughter and exasperation. Overall, Gwent offers a unique blend of humor that resonates with fans of the franchise, despite its competitive shortcomings.

    • “Like a drunken dwarf at a feast, Gwent is confusing but hilariously entertaining!”
    • “Especially if you are a fan of the Witcher universe, you will be surprised when you see some very funny cards that reference the books and the video games.”
    • “A deceptively deep and witty experience, you truly have lots of ways to find your favorite playstyle; what's more, if you enjoyed the Witcher series or even if you are new to the universe, the art and narrative quotes are humorous and quite endearing.”
  • stability
    52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and freezing issues across both PC and mobile versions. Players express frustration over persistent problems, including unresponsive interfaces and matchmaking errors, which detract significantly from the overall experience. Despite some acknowledgment of the developers' efforts, the consensus is that the game remains a "buggy mess" that requires urgent attention and fixes.

    • “Runs great on Linux.”
    • “A lot of the time, there isn't troubleshooting involved, or it's very niche to the user.”
    • “It's 2023 now and the game is very buggy with the controller input.”
    • “Awful, I loved The Witcher 3 and loved playing Gwent, this is really poorly executed, it's buggy as hell (you have to disable generic controller support just to be able to use your mouse), the game doesn't explain anything at all, it's a complete mess and forces you to play against human opponents rather than AI or just going at your own pace. I wanted to love it as I love original Gwent and was looking forward to playing it, but it's just a confusing, buggy mess that forces you to play online to unlock anything.”
    • “Could not even get through the tutorial due to glitches and freezes.”
  • replayability
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts high replayability due to its variety of factions, strategic depth, and a rewarding system that encourages experimentation and grinding. Players appreciate the constant updates and balance improvements, which keep the experience fresh and engaging. However, some users noted issues with the tutorial that detracted from the overall replay value.

    • “This is a great card game and has a lot of replayability, hence my 300 hours so far.”
    • “Experimenting with different faction combinations and strategies adds a sense of discovery and endless replayability.”
    • “Solid game mechanics, high replay value, fun as hell, good rewards system to encourage grinding, strategic thinking, quick matches.”
    • “However, the badly broken (and seemingly un-replayable) tutorial coupled with a skip turn function that didn't seem to work at all; forcing me to play all cards in the 1st round!?”
    • “What I feel now is Gwent is way more playable than the first homecoming, so I can enjoy this game again.”
    • “Prestige mechanic makes this game re-playable.”
  • optimization
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its strong performance across platforms, particularly on gaming PCs, with many users noting excellent graphics and fun gameplay. However, some players have reported performance issues on laptops and mobile devices, requiring workarounds like FPS limiters, and concerns about unresolved bugs dating back to 2018 persist. Despite these issues, the game is generally considered well-optimized and deserving of attention in the card game genre.

    • “Very good graphics, fun gameplay, very well optimized.”
    • “Just a very well optimized multiplayer version of that minigame from The Witcher 3 everyone loved.”
    • “Coupled with an amazing soundtrack and brilliant art pieces from numerous talented artists, its well-thought game design and optimized technical performance for all platforms (including mobile) makes it deserving of your time.”
    • “I have also experienced some performance issues on my laptop and phone when not playing on my gaming PC.”
    • “Poorly optimized, and I needed to use an FPS limiter to prevent my computer from crashing.”
    • “I discovered from the Gwent forum that this issue had been going on since 2018, and this is already 2020, and it looks like it won't be fixed anytime soon.”
  • emotional
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players describe the game as an emotional roller coaster, particularly during tense moments like winning or losing by a single point. While some feel that the fun and wholesomeness have diminished over time, others appreciate the beautiful art and the heartwarming portrayal of familiar characters, contributing to a mix of emotions throughout the gameplay experience.

    • “The art in the game is beautiful as well and this game can be an emotional roller coaster when winning or losing by 1 point in the final round.”
    • “And it's heartwarming to see those characters you know so well being faithfully illustrated.”
    • “This game is an emotional roller-coaster.”

Buy GWENT: The Witcher Card Game

161h Median play time
442h Average play time
80h Main story
415h Completionist
38-700h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 116 analyzed playthroughs

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