Shadowverse

About

"Shadowverse is a popular strategic card game with over 4 million battles daily and a growing community of 22 million players. It offers a single-player story mode, finely-tuned battles with less RNG, and new card expansions every three months. The game boasts eight different leader classes, allowing for unparalleled deck strategy freedom, and features beautiful art and animations with fully voiced cards."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

77%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,074 reviews

story352 positive mentions

grinding111 negative mentions

The game features beautiful artwork and animations, making it visually appealing.
Shadowverse is very generous with free rewards, allowing players to build competitive decks without spending money.
The single-player story mode is engaging and well-developed, providing a rich narrative experience.

The game suffers from severe power creep, making many older cards obsolete and leading to a stale meta dominated by a few overpowered decks.
Matchmaking can be frustrating, often pairing new players with experienced opponents using meta decks, which can be discouraging.
The game has been criticized for its heavy reliance on RNG, leading to matches that feel more like luck-based coin flips than strategic battles.

story
1,319 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
70%
3%
The story in Shadowverse is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its engaging narrative and character development, particularly in the visual novel-style presentation. While the initial chapters may feel slow or generic, the plot picks up significantly, offering twists and deeper character arcs as players progress through the various class-specific storylines. However, some critiques highlight issues with pacing and difficulty spikes in later missions, which can frustrate players, especially those who are new to the game. Overall, the story mode is seen as a strong aspect of the game, providing a rich backdrop that enhances the card game experience.
- “The story starts out very dull at first (the morning star), but picks up and stays at an entertaining pace quickly (the guild war), and the game itself recognizes this and suggests starting from there.”
- “The story mode is great, nearly 60 hours in and I have only scratched the surface of the story missions.”
- “I'm absolutely garbage in terms of gameplay, deck building, strategy, and all that, however the story goes hard, I love the voice acting and the amount of philosophical topics they go through in the plot, it's honestly amazing the twists and turns this story takes, and sometimes it's enough to wrench my heart.”
- “The game initially has a lot of card battles between the visual novel element, but later the story mode gives up on giving any kind of gameplay between 8-10 visual novel chapters, which is rather tedious unless you think Shadowverse has a really good story (in which case I assume you don't consume much media).”
- “The story is embarrassingly bad and low effort.”
- “The story likes to jump between plot lines and character stories so it becomes easy to burn out just running story mode when you're trying to get invested in what's happening and I end up skipping things.”
gameplay
1,212 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
63%
4%
The gameplay of Shadowverse is characterized by its unique "evolve" mechanic, which allows players to enhance their cards mid-game, adding depth and strategic complexity to matches. While many reviews note its similarities to Hearthstone, players appreciate the reduced reliance on RNG and the diverse mechanics associated with each class, making for a more engaging experience. However, some players express concerns about balance issues and the prevalence of pay-to-win elements, which can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “The evolve mechanic swinging the tempo on turns 4 and 5 led to some intense matches.”
- “Being able to turn the tempo of battle in your favor with a single evolve keeps the gameplay tense and exciting.”
- “The evolve mechanic is really powerful and it's awesome that all your cards have a super saiyan form in a way.”
- “However, the multiplayer mode is a stark contrast, plagued by pay-to-win mechanics and overly competitive players.”
- “The new mechanics and ideas barely make any sense and take away from what made this game appealing to its audience to begin with, I assume to draw in a simpler and new audience.”
- “The gameplay is boring... from start.... but then!!!!!”
graphics
663 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
44%
3%
The graphics of Shadowverse are widely praised for their stunning anime-inspired artwork, with many users highlighting the impressive detail and variety in card designs. The game runs smoothly even on lower-end PCs, and the animations and visual effects enhance the overall aesthetic experience. However, some players find the art style polarizing, with opinions varying on its appeal, particularly regarding the sexualized depictions of characters.
- “This game boasts impressive visuals that live up to expectations.”
- “One of the best parts of Shadowverse is its stunning artwork.”
- “The graphics are impressive, yet the game runs smoothly even on non-gaming PCs.”
- “Judging from the art style, the artist(s) who worked on this, like kids in all the wrong ways...”
- “The artwork on the cards is anime-styled and quite mediocre.”
- “Has some interesting mechanics that you won't find in something like Hearthstone, but at the end of the day, the annoying graphics/visual effects and the crappy art style really make the game unplayable.”
music
122 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
42%
10%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its orchestral quality and atmospheric compositions that enhance the overall experience. However, some players have noted a lack of variety and repetitiveness in the soundtrack, particularly during extended gameplay or download periods. Overall, while the music is generally well-received, there are calls for more diverse tracks to keep the experience fresh.
- “The music is stellar in this game.”
- “Not only is the gameplay fun and enriching, the visuals are absolutely stunning, and the music is absolutely enthralling.”
- “The music is both appropriate for the game's tone and graphics, and is also well orchestrated.”
- “After all these years the UI hasn't changed or improved a bit, the music in the game is still the same with no new tracks. They've also gotten lazy about the card art now; there used to be less evolved versions of cards that were just color swapped with horizontal inverses.”
- “The music lacks variety and becomes repetitive, but you can always make up for that by playing your own and turning the game's music off, which I personally recommend.”
- “Not in and of itself an unusual thing, but there is no way to access an options screen prior to engaging in this download, meaning that one must listen to over-loud, generic music while this process takes place.”
grinding
114 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
2%
97%
The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while it can be tedious and time-consuming, it is generally more forgiving than other card games like Hearthstone. Free-to-play players can build competitive decks with some effort, as the game offers generous rewards and opportunities to earn cards, though achieving top-tier decks often requires significant grinding or spending money. Overall, while grinding is present, it is often described as manageable and less punishing compared to similar titles.
- “It was fun but simple and not too grindy or pay to win.”
- “The grind of Shadowverse is very, very grindy since it's by points, not by games played. The grind from AA to Masters is probably the most grind fiesta anyone will go through, but once you get to Masters, you will probably stop playing.”
- “Winning becomes only a matter of grinding, or more likely, just buying until you have all the legendaries you need to make a deck identical to the meta deck.”
- “I can't keep doing this, man. I can't keep grinding to build a fun, marginally viable deck only to have to do it all over again the next expansion because it changes the meta too much...”
monetization
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
52%
40%
The monetization in the game is heavily criticized for its reliance on microtransactions, which many players find excessive and detrimental to the overall experience. While some users appreciate the absence of intrusive ads and the ability to earn cards through gameplay, others argue that the pricing is steep and that recent updates have made it increasingly difficult for free-to-play players to remain competitive. Overall, the monetization practices are seen as a significant drawback, with many players feeling that they detract from the enjoyment of the game.
- “Some issues with the monetization practice, but that's less on the game and more on the industry.”
- “Very good free game, some microtransactions, but I have played for half a year and haven't bought a thing because you can get anything through the gameplay anyway, and it's not even grindy. You can just play and gradually get the cards you need to build the deck you want.”
- “I will forgive you for microtransactions on card packs since this is a free-to-play game and I'm desensitized to that after so many games like this.”
- “Filled with microtransactions.”
- “Monetization is very pricey and is roughly 50 crystals per $1 USD.”
- “It is no longer possible for free-to-play players to get the full collection, and it became hard to keep up with the meta ever since developers added mini-expansions to the sets - additional cards are added for every set after 1-2 months since release, which is a blatant shameless cash grab.”
humor
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
7%
The humor in the game is often described as hilarious, with players enjoying the comedic elements of the AI's absurd card plays and the quirky interactions between cards. Many reviews highlight the amusing voice acting and the game's anime art style, contributing to a lighthearted atmosphere, despite some critiques about balance and complexity. Overall, while the humor may be simplistic at times, it adds to the fun and engaging experience of the game.
- “I'll be honest, the story mode ain't much for a story, just play it for money to get more cards... however, do listen to Luna's story as it's simply hilarious and adorable besides the whole sad death necromancy story. 8/10!”
- “The different expansions are mixing the game up quite a lot; playing unlimited is funny, and Take 2 and Grand Prix are increasing salt and experience. Lul.”
- “It's funny in a way because the Bloodcraft class's mechanic is that certain Bloodcraft cards will have unique effects if your hero is below 10 defense (which is health).”
- “Please stop voting this as funny; this is not funny at all.”
- “The humor in this game falls flat and feels forced.”
- “I expected more laughs, but the jokes just didn't land.”
optimization
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
47%
16%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing it as an "unoptimized mess," particularly for PC users who expect better performance from ports. While the game runs smoothly on non-gaming PCs and performs well at 60fps, it suffers from issues like high memory usage and a desktop UI that feels like a direct copy of the mobile version. Additionally, the social and guild features are seen as awkward and unoptimized, detracting from the overall experience.
- “The graphics are impressive, yet the game runs smoothly even on non-gaming PCs.”
- “As for performance, it runs pretty well.”
- “The game can run smoothly at 60fps on almost any PC.”
- “I wanted to give this game a recommended review after playing Master Duel, but oh well, it was an unoptimized mess.”
- “It’s not about the PC port itself but rather how unoptimized and inconvenient it is.”
- “However, it seems like an unoptimized mobile port (using 1-2GB of memory constantly for such a simple game).”
stability
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
89%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and freezing issues across various platforms. While some players appreciate the overall performance and visuals, many express frustration over unresolved technical problems, particularly concerning in-game mechanics and financial transactions. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a significant concern, with many urging caution before investing real money.
- “The game looks and runs great, which was a pleasant surprise.”
- “The Steam version runs great, with little to no problems.”
- “We don't give them an older inferior version of the game and ignore them as they post complaints about how buggy it is.”
- “If half the mechanics weren't a broken, buggy mess this might be a decent game.”
- “Be very careful putting real money into this; there are glitches the community seems willing to dismiss and the developers as well when your money goes missing with 'no way to recover it.' Steam cannot help you either.”
character development
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
9%
27%
Character development in the game is praised for its engaging storyline and impressive character designs, particularly within the Shadowverse solo storyline, which enhances the overall narrative experience. While some players appreciate the depth and uniqueness of certain characters, others note that many remain one-dimensional, suggesting that character development may not be the primary focus of the game. Overall, the combination of lore, character motivations, and visual design contributes to a rich fantasy world that players find enjoyable.
- “The Shadowverse solo storyline attached to this game is amazing and highly recommended, which has lifted my overall standards on story writing and character designs. 10/10 would recommend for the story alone.”
- “I generally don't follow TCG/CCG storylines due to the fact it's generally 'X hero slays Y bad guy to save the world,' but this anime story really has an in-depth world with great character development. Everything feels like it's supposed to be in this world.”
- “The animations and character designs are cool, with each of them having a different personality and an actual reason for fighting, whether it's good or not.”
- “What makes those scenes irritating is that the encounters aren't all exactly the same, and you don't know which to skip. Depending on who you're playing as, you'll hear their inner thoughts. Skip the scene and you'll miss out on some important character development. I've seen the Nexus cutscene eight times; however, you can skip it if you wish.”
- “Some characters are more interesting than others, and they're all pretty one-dimensional, but character development is not the focus of a TCG.”
- “Just another CCG with the same old juggling; however decent character design it might have, the 'hook, line, and sinker' would probably slap the cognitive sensory right back into my skull before long.”
emotional
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have expressed a strong emotional connection to the game's well-crafted story and characters, with some reporting tears during pivotal moments. Despite frustrations with gameplay mechanics, the emotional impact of the narrative has left a lasting impression, prompting players to reflect deeply on their experiences. Overall, the game successfully evokes a range of emotions, from joy to distress, enhancing the overall engagement.
- “What I didn't expect was a well-written story that made me feel for its characters.”
- “But here I am feeling emotional after reading the last chapter of the game.”
- “I cried a little too.”
replayability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
Overall, the game's replayability has seen improvements with recent expansions, offering more counterplay options and accessibility for new players. However, some users feel that limitations imposed by certain cards and a lack of customization hinder its long-term replay value. Despite these concerns, many still find it enjoyable and recommend giving it a try for its engaging gameplay.
- “Its more playable for newbies than Hearthstone. You get a free 10-pack with each expansion, at least 5 legendary cards, and you can transform some cards into vials to create any card. Even if you're new, you can build a mid to high-tier deck with your craft type, and playing the story and versus bots can actually earn you some money too. Try it if you want; it's not as bad as people review. Hope this helps you! :) Good luck, have fun!”
- “It gave a lot of good feels and I do not regret it, but I do feel the lack of customization really affects the overall replayability.”
- “While they have definitely improved with the latest expansions (by providing some more counterplay options, or making previous ones more playable), they haven't really stopped printing dumb cards that put a hard limit on the length of the game.”
- “I do feel the lack of customization really affects the overall replayability.”
- “I don't know how high the replay value of the game is after a month or so of playing, but there's zero reason to not pick it up and give it a try.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The atmosphere of Shadowverse is highly praised for its immersive dark fantasy elements, enhanced by an impressive soundtrack that captivates players. Users appreciate the game's unique mechanics and design, which contribute to a compelling experience that keeps them engaged. Overall, the combination of music, visuals, and gameplay creates a rich and addictive atmosphere, making it a standout in the card game genre.
- “Shadowverse is really atmospheric and very addictive; I highly recommend anyone who likes card games.”
- “The way the decks play out (which is a lot more like Magic meets Yu-Gi-Oh rather than Hearthstone) and even the atmosphere, as it's built up well with music, card voices, map design, and character interactions that do a good job of keeping you in the zone and the game.”
- “If you seek a more Japanese-style CCG with expansions every 3 months and a dark fantasy atmosphere but with minimal RNG involved, this is the perfect fit for you!”
- “Then when you play it for a little while, you start noticing the small things that are different, the evolve mechanic (which allows you to increase your cards' strength 2-3 times per battle while on the field and rush your opponent's monsters), the way the decks play out (which is a lot more like Magic meets Yu-Gi-Oh rather than Hearthstone) and even the atmosphere, as it's built up well with music, card voices, map design, and character interactions that do a good job of keeping you in the zone and the game.”
- “One more thing, the gaming atmosphere is pretty balanced right now.”

Buy Shadowverse

60h Median play time

137h Average play time

12-100h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 33 analyzed playthroughs

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