Hearthstone

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Join a community of 100 million players in epic card battle action!

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Reviews

48%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,999 reviews

gameplay217 positive mentions

stability460 negative mentions

The game offers a variety of modes, including Battlegrounds and Mercenaries, which provide different gameplay experiences.
The graphics and sound design are top-notch, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
The game is easy to learn but offers depth and strategy, making it enjoyable for both casual and competitive players.

The app frequently crashes and disconnects, especially during matches, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
The monetization model has shifted to a pay-to-win structure, making it difficult for free-to-play players to compete effectively.
Recent updates have introduced bugs and performance issues, making the game less enjoyable and often unplayable on mobile devices.

gameplay
500 mentions
43 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
Gameplay in Hearthstone is often described as engaging and fun, with a variety of mechanics and modes that keep players interested. However, many reviews highlight significant issues, including a heavy reliance on pay-to-win mechanics, frequent lag and disconnections, and an overwhelming amount of RNG that can detract from strategic play. While the core gameplay remains solid, the monetization practices and balance issues have led to frustration among both new and veteran players.
- “The gameplay is straightforward and very enjoyable.”
- “It's a well-polished collectible card game with mechanics that are complex enough to keep interest but not too much for a new player to pick up.”
- “The gameplay and design are top-tier, and each game you play is usually unique and fun.”
- “The gameplay has become near to impossible to have fun due to metas forcing class play.”
- “The ridiculous card mechanics and overwhelming RNG make this game look like a joke.”
- “Gameplay is uninteractive in design, heavily limiting the skill element of the game.”
stability
466 mentions
1 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
99 % negative mentions
The stability of the game on mobile platforms, particularly Android, has been widely criticized, with users reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and connectivity issues that render the game nearly unplayable. Many players express frustration over the persistent bugs that have worsened with recent updates, leading to lost matches and a diminished gaming experience. While some users report a smooth experience, the overwhelming consensus highlights significant stability problems that need urgent attention from the developers.
- “Runs great, one of the best mobile ports out.”
- “No connection issues, no buggy lobbies/games.”
- “Best card-based game and the app runs great.”
- “The game is buggy and unplayable on my Pixel 6 Pro.”
- “However, this game took a turn for the worst with its bugs and glitches to the point of almost being unplayable.”
- “The app constantly disconnects and freezes even on stable internet connections, constantly costing games.”
story
357 mentions
16 % positive mentions
81 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the engaging narratives and character development but expressing frustration over the monetization of solo content and the difficulty of certain missions. While some enjoy the variety and depth of the storylines, others criticize the recent updates that have made quests more complex and less rewarding, leading to a perception of the game as increasingly pay-to-win. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a strong point, but the implementation and accessibility of content have raised significant concerns among the player base.
- “Great storylines and graphics, addicting and fun!”
- “So many different ways to play and challenge your brain while also telling an expansive story.”
- “The solo missions are fun and changing, which is one of the main reasons the game is still installed on my phone.”
- “The game is nigh unplayable currently with the lack of quests on their new progression system and that is with me purchasing the tavern pass.”
- “The story mode forces you to use decks that are outclassed by enemies; the frustration is real.”
- “The new quest system is abysmal and the monetization on the game is absurd.”
monetization
308 mentions
13 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game has drawn widespread criticism for being excessively aggressive and predatory, with many players labeling it a "cash grab." Users express frustration over the increasing reliance on microtransactions, the introduction of paywalls, and the perception that competitive play is heavily skewed towards those willing to spend significant amounts of money. While some acknowledge that the game can still be enjoyed without spending, the overall sentiment is that the monetization practices have detracted from the experience and accessibility for new players.
- “The game has improved on many aspects in the monetization department, and you can easily get yourself going without spending much.”
- “Unlike other games, making in-game purchases isn't necessary with this one; it's definitely possible and seems tempting at times, but at the end of the day, you don't need to make purchases in order to progress.”
- “This is my edited review, as Blizzard has made some decent changes to monetization and made it more valuable to players who do want to spend money on the game to feel rewarded.”
- “I used to love this game, but frankly I'm tired of the pay-to-win cash grab it has become.”
- “The monetization on this game is absolutely predatory.”
- “The game has become a cash grab completely.”
graphics
246 mentions
50 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed feedback, with many praising the artwork, animations, and overall aesthetic appeal, describing them as "amazing" and "gorgeous." However, numerous users report performance issues, such as slow loading times, lag, and graphical glitches, particularly on mobile devices, leading to requests for options to lower graphics settings for smoother gameplay. Overall, while the visuals are a highlight, they can hinder the gaming experience due to technical limitations.
- “The graphics and layout of the game are great, and the animations give it a magical feel.”
- “The graphics are awesome; I am so entertained by all the detail that is put into this game, whether it be the cards, boards, or gameplay.”
- “Great graphics, atmosphere, and gameplay.”
- “There are many graphics bugs including blurriness on the main screen.”
- “Another slight drawback is that the game can sometimes be quite graphically demanding, making it slow or even unplayable on lower-end devices.”
- “The graphics and gameplay short out, freeze, and the game constantly quits mid-battle.”
optimization
155 mentions
12 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game, particularly on mobile devices, has been widely criticized, with users reporting severe performance issues such as frequent crashes, stuttering, and low frame rates, even on high-end phones. Many players express frustration over the lack of options to adjust graphics settings to improve performance, leading to an overall unplayable experience for many. While some users note minor improvements, the consensus remains that the game is poorly optimized for mobile platforms, significantly detracting from the enjoyment of the gameplay.
- “Mobile version performance has improved.”
- “Ethical concerns about Blizzard as a company aside, a lot of work has gone into making this a fun, and growing, experience that feels optimized for mobile play rather than shoving the PC UI into a smaller frame.”
- “Experience is getting significantly better over time, with new game modes and performance tweaks.”
- “The game in its current state is unplayable, needs optimization.”
- “It's horribly optimized, runs incredibly slow on most phones and crashes constantly.”
- “Horrid load times, intermittent freezing and crashing, and lousy, microstuttering performance render this poorly optimized game unplayable.”
grinding
130 mentions
1 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
99 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players expressing frustration over the excessive time and effort required to build competitive decks without spending money. The new reward systems have made it increasingly difficult for free-to-play players to progress, often leading to a pay-to-win environment where those willing to spend money have a significant advantage. Overall, while some players find enjoyment in the grind, the consensus is that it has become tedious and unbalanced, particularly for newcomers.
- “I think the addition of battlegrounds to the game was excellent; it means people are not grinding out games on the ladder trying to get to Legend, and it gives them something else to play.”
- “It is now harder than ever to be a free-to-play player as the game makes grinding for cards excruciating, especially when you have to match up against players willing to just buy the cards.”
- “The new reward system has made the game grindy and virtually impossible to play for free-to-play players.”
- “Every expansion forces you to spend either hours upon hours grinding 10g every 3 wins (100g for a pack of 5 cards btw.) or dish out 60-80$ what seems to be every month.”
humor
37 mentions
97 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players enjoying its funny dialogue, playful characters, and entertaining storylines. However, some find the humor diminishes over time, especially with repetitive content, and there are complaints about the game's pay-to-win mechanics overshadowing the fun. Overall, while the game offers a humorous experience, it is marred by technical issues and monetization frustrations that detract from the enjoyment.
- “I love the random and funny things you can do.”
- “Also, super fun to play, and offers a lot of entertainment aside from just the gameplay, via storylines, hilarious dialogue, and tons of secret easter eggs.”
- “The art and sound effects are amazing, the murlocs are hilarious; love them.”
- “Obviously, that is not funny.”
music
30 mentions
23 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its quality and immersive medieval tavern vibe, while others criticize technical issues such as music lag, inability to play music from other apps simultaneously, and glitches that disrupt the experience. Despite these problems, some players appreciate the soundtrack and sound effects, highlighting the overall aesthetic and charm of the game. However, the lack of a separate sound/music volume regulator and ongoing optimization issues have left some users frustrated.
- “Complete package: incredible music unmatched voice talent.”
- “I could spend countless hours on this game, and have... beautiful animations, character designs, music, everything!”
- “The usual Blizzard polish and obsession with balance, married to an enjoyable soundtrack and intuitive interface.”
- “Because of the microtransactions system, they won't add a separate sound/music volume regulator despite people asking for years.”
- “For some reason, the app makes my music player (Spotify) stop playing as soon as a game starts... which is sad, because nobody wants to listen to the same music the whole time.”
- “Once I exit out, the music keeps on playing.”
emotional
17 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a wide range of emotional responses to the game, often describing it as a frustrating and heartbreaking experience due to balance issues, bugs, and a perceived decline in quality. While some find enjoyment and unexpected friendships within the game, many feel disillusioned and depressed by the current state of the game, particularly regarding its economy and recent updates. Overall, the emotional journey is marked by highs and lows, with a significant number of players feeling let down and disheartened.
- “The experience of the last 2-3 years is an emotional rollercoaster mostly depending on the actual balance of the game.”
- “Great for people that can appreciate chess, but it also has the more heartfelt or light-hearted feel of a card game.”
- “I've never played a game that made me feel so low and strangely... quite depressed.”
replayability
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits high replayability due to its engaging PvE content, diverse game modes, and frequent updates that enhance gameplay. However, some players feel that the solo mode lacks depth, and while the meta has improved, it still doesn't fully capitalize on the game's potential for replay value. Despite these concerns, many users find the game fun and easy to learn, contributing to its overall replayability.
- “The PvE content has a clearly indicated prize, if any, and offers tons of replayability.”
- “However, the game itself is very fun and has lots of replay value.”
- “Blizzard makes another classic... lots of game modes, huge replay value, constantly updating the game to improve it.”
- “What it lacks is a worthwhile replayable solo mode.”
- “The meta is reportedly better than it has historically been, but the replay value just isn't all that great :(”
- “The replayability is very high.”
atmosphere
8 mentions
63 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Hearthstone is often praised for its nostalgic ties to World of Warcraft, with engaging graphics and animations that enhance the overall experience. However, some players criticize the game for its increasingly cynical, money-driven environment and the overwhelming noise during gameplay. Despite these drawbacks, many find the game addictive and enjoyable, appreciating its friendly vibe and immersive qualities.
- “The game also maintains an addictive atmosphere where there's always a reason for another game.”
- “Despite the obvious pay-to-win aspects, this is probably the most playable and atmospheric digital card game out there.”
- “Still, love the flavor, animations, atmosphere, and feel of this game.”
- “The game has evolved such that it tries to suck you in to spend more and more hours and dollars in an increasingly stale game model coupled with a decidedly cynical, money-grubbing atmosphere from the developers.”
character development
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the character development for its impressive design and animations, highlighting that these elements contribute significantly to the overall enjoyment of the game. The combination of aesthetic appeal and engaging character portrayal enhances the immersive experience, encouraging players to invest countless hours in gameplay.
- “I could spend countless hours on this game, and have... beautiful animations, character designs, music, everything!”