Skip to main content

Shardbound: Forge Your Path, Master Your Strategy

70%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
monetization, optimization
70% User Score Based on 922 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindows
View Game
Buy NowGet on Steam

About

Shardbound is a tactical CCG. As you play, you’ll collect hundreds of units and build armies to compete head-to-head with other players in matches of cunning and skill. Use positioning, the terrain, and your units’ unique abilities to achieve victory!

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Shardbound: Forge Your Path, Master Your Strategy screenshot
Shardbound: Forge Your Path, Master Your Strategy screenshot
Shardbound: Forge Your Path, Master Your Strategy screenshot
Shardbound: Forge Your Path, Master Your Strategy screenshot
Shardbound: Forge Your Path, Master Your Strategy screenshot
Shardbound: Forge Your Path, Master Your Strategy screenshot

70%
Audience ScoreBased on 922 reviews
gameplay87 positive mentions
monetization4 negative mentions
  • The game combines card mechanics with tactical gameplay, offering a unique experience that requires strategic positioning.
  • Players can earn a variety of cards quickly through gameplay, making it accessible for free-to-play users.
  • The art style and animations are visually appealing, creating an immersive atmosphere.
  • The game suffers from balance issues, with certain factions and cards being overpowered compared to others.
  • There is a lack of single-player content, with the current campaign being limited to a tutorial.
  • Many cards still use placeholder art, which can detract from the overall experience.
  • gameplay
    240 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its strategic depth and unique mechanics that blend card game elements with tactical board gameplay, while others criticize it for being overly reliant on gacha mechanics, convoluted card upgrades, and balance issues that can hinder progression. Many appreciate the fluidity and accessibility of the gameplay, but note that the reliance on luck and the presence of placeholder art can detract from the overall experience. Overall, while the game shows promise and has engaging mechanics, it faces challenges in balance and player retention.

    • “The gameplay is fluid and intuitive, making it accessible for newcomers and offering depth for those eager to master it.”
    • “The core gameplay is incredible and rewarding to learn.”
    • “Shardbound puts its twist on the genre by introducing hex-based gameplay coupled with line-of-sight mechanics and built-up maps that include boulders and high/low ground.”
    • “The gameplay is crap; at first, it looks okay because you play mostly against bots, but in the higher leagues, it is impossible to progress.”
    • “The game has lost its heart; the maps are the same, and the very basic gameplay is now just another generic card game.”
    • “All shardbound fans had high hopes for the game’s revival, but the new developers completely broke all the core mechanics, making it downright unplayable.”
  • graphics
    157 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in Shardbound receive mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant art style and detailed animations, while others criticize the prevalence of placeholder artwork and unfinished models. Although the game shows potential with its unique aesthetics and solid visual presentation, a significant portion of the graphics remains incomplete, impacting the overall experience. Players appreciate the artistic direction but express a desire for more polished visuals and better optimization, especially for lower-end systems.

    • “From the vibrant colors to the detailed animations and unique aesthetics of each unit and terrain, Shardbound excels in its artistic presentation.”
    • “The art style is great, a ton of atmosphere and character; it's not a re-skin of something else.”
    • “Amazing graphics and simple rules, just fun.”
    • “The graphics are decent, but the leader characters in this game are very poorly designed.”
    • “There are a lot of graphical placeholders, and in my opinion, that's not a real problem for an early access title because their focus lies on balancing.”
    • “Currently, most of the artwork consists of placeholders, so many of the units look the same on the tactical board, and you'll have to read the card in order to distinguish the unit.”
  • story
    53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story aspect has received mixed feedback, with many players expressing a desire for more content and depth. While some enjoy the existing narrative and find it engaging, others criticize the lack of lore, character development, and meaningful quests, noting that the current story mode feels limited and repetitive. Overall, players are eager for expanded single-player content and a more immersive storytelling experience to enhance their gameplay.

    • “Like me, I have crossed many reviews that speak of how they enjoyed the story mode, and to that, I am no different.”
    • “I enjoyed the story, and like the others, I too would like to see more of it.”
    • “The ability to create a house and work together on quests with other players is a lot of fun, and honestly makes me want to build more decks to complete those quests.”
    • “There is a lack of content, a lack of lore, a lack of story, maps, and character models.”
    • “The developers are trying to drag an extensive story into a card, chess-esque fusion game and the game starts to drag on after a few rounds.”
    • “Two, while the play is great and the rounds can be quick, the story is lacking.”
  • monetization
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization in this game has been widely criticized as predatory and overly complex, with many players feeling it detracts significantly from the overall experience. Users express frustration over the reliance on microtransactions and loot boxes, labeling it a "cash grab" that hampers gameplay and progression. There is a strong desire for a more customer-friendly approach, such as a flat purchase model or reduced prices for in-game content.

    • “The monetization, though, is unreal.”
    • “If the monetization method was more customer friendly, I would be all over this game... it's completely my jam.”
    • “The prices for the in-game purchases are a little high, not crazy high like some other games, but still a tad high for what you get.”
    • “Predatory monetization.”
    • “The monetization turned me off almost instantly.”
    • “I didn't even last an hour playing this game; thanks for taking a game that had potential and turning it into a soulless crypto cash grab.”
  • optimization
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many users reporting poor performance, especially on laptops and lower-end systems, leading to major frame rate drops even at minimal settings. While some players acknowledge that the game is still in early access and may improve over time, the current state is seen as a waste of RAM and CPU resources, indicating a pressing need for optimization. Despite these issues, there are positive notes about the developers' responsiveness to community feedback and ongoing updates.

    • “It's quite balanced though there surely is room for optimization.”
    • “My only gripes with it is it is in serious need of some optimizations.”
    • “While there is some stuff to work out and improve upon (optimization, early player progression, some balance issues, and 90% of the art assets), remember that the game is in alpha, and literally just got out of pre-alpha.”
    • “This is a waste of RAM and CPU performance.”
    • “Poor optimization - this game is not really optimized for laptops. I feel much work can be done on that considering I can get 60 FPS on Paladins.”
    • “I would not recommend looking at the specs on board, as they may be accurate for the final product, but as of right now, if you simply go off the specs in the Steam store, you will have major performance issues, even in the lowest graphical settings.”
  • music
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players describing it as mediocre or "elevator music," while others praise the soundtrack as amazing and fitting for the gameplay. Overall, while there are criticisms regarding the quality and necessity of the music, a number of users appreciate its potential and contribution to the game's atmosphere.

    • “This game needs some love, amazing soundtracks, interesting mechanics, a lot of potential.”
    • “As a fellow composer & producer, I'd like to point out that the music is great!”
    • “The strategy is deep, gameplay fulfilling, and the music is wonderful.”
    • “The music is garbage, the art is wonky with placeholders on all the spells (early access still expect more done).”
    • “Elevator music.”
    • “Game runs smooth, music is not great but it's not even necessary.”
  • grinding
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive, often slowing down progression and making it tedious to unlock new content and build effective decks. While some appreciate the availability of free packs and achievements that can ease the grind, many express frustration over the time investment required, especially for free-to-play users, and the potential loss of units can further exacerbate the grindiness. Overall, the consensus is that while the game is enjoyable, the grind can detract from the experience.

    • “Additionally, the progression system can feel somewhat grindy at times, which may slow down the unlocking of new content.”
    • “The progress is far too grindy.”
    • “I like this game; it's addicting. The problem is it's really grindy to earn cards and there is no storyline.”
  • humor
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is highlighted by great voice acting, amusing interactions between characters, and a lighthearted tone that keeps gameplay entertaining. Players appreciate the comedic elements, such as the absurdity of game mechanics and the cleverness of meme-inspired strategies, though some note that the humor may become repetitive over time. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with strategic gameplay, making it enjoyable for players.

    • “Great voice acting and funny speeches.”
    • “This is like playing chess - but actually funny.”
    • “The humor, the interaction between generals, both at the beginning and end of matches, is lighthearted and could possibly get repetitive, but until it does, it's amusing.”
  • stability
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is mixed, with some users reporting occasional bugs and graphical glitches, particularly in the early-access phase. While some players have not encountered significant issues, others find the game unplayable due to frequent screen freezes and glitches. Overall, stability appears to be a concern that may improve with future updates.

    • “I did download this game since it looked very attractive for playing, but unfortunately for me it's not playable at all; even with the lowest graphics, the screen glitches and freezes all the time!”
    • “Better friend list interface, but still a tad buggy like Paladins was a while back.”
    • “It’s buggy sometimes, but it’s a fun game.”
  • atmosphere
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its fantastic art style and immersive character, creating a unique and magical experience despite being in early access. Reviewers appreciate the rewarding match and loot system, as well as the engaging game flow, which contribute to a rich and captivating environment. Overall, the atmosphere is seen as a standout feature, enhancing the game's appeal and potential for future success.

    • “The game atmosphere is fantastic even if it is incomplete (for example, placeholder art, missing 3D models, missing maps).”
    • “The art style is great, with a ton of atmosphere and character; it's not a re-skin of something else.”
    • “Other than that, this game is great; it has a magical atmosphere, interesting deckbuilding, and I hope to see it becoming successful and popular in the future.”
    • “The atmosphere feels lifeless and uninspired, failing to immerse players in the game's world.”
    • “Despite the intriguing concept, the overall ambiance lacks depth and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
    • “The environment feels empty and disconnected, making it hard to engage with the game's narrative.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers praise the character development for its stunning designs, highlighting the beautiful aesthetics of humans, creatures, and mechs. The strong silhouettes contribute to a cohesive visual style, enhancing the overall appeal of the characters and levels.

    • “Character designs are beautiful, whether they are humans, creatures, or mechs.”
    • “This is due in part to the strong silhouettes of the character designs, which reduce the need for detailed separation of different regions of a model.”
    • “The level and character designs are awesome.”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers highlight the game's strong replayability due to its polish, balance, and depth, noting that the flexibility in deck-building ensures that no two playthroughs are alike. This variety contributes to a more enjoyable and engaging experience compared to similar games.

    • “The polish and balance make this game much more enjoyable and replayable than Duelyst.”
    • “Lots of depth and replayability!”
    • “The game has a massive amount of flexibility and replayability; no two decks will be the same.”
  • emotional
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is negatively impacted by the unbalanced factions, with players expressing frustration over the perceived weakness of the yellow and red factions, which detracts from the overall experience.

Buy Shardbound: Forge Your Path, Master Your Strategy

10h Median play time
33h Average play time
5-15h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 11 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Games Like Shardbound: Forge Your Path, Master Your Strategy

Minion Masters Image
80%619reviews

Minion Masters

2019Role Playing
PCPCAndroidAndroidXboxXbox+7
Faeria Image
82%3.5kreviews

Faeria

2017Tactical Role Playing
PCPCAndroidAndroidiPhoneiPhone+13
Armello Image
79%16.4kreviews

Armello

2015Role Playing
PCPCAndroidAndroidiPhoneiPhone+15
Chroma: Bloom And Blight Image
78%772reviews

Chroma: Bloom And Blight

2021Casual Strategy
PCPCWindowsWindows
Age of Rivals Image
93%248reviews

Age of Rivals

2017Casual Strategy
PCPCAndroidAndroidiPhoneiPhone+6