Shardbound: Forge Your Path, Master Your Strategy

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Shardbound: Forge Your Path, Master Your Strategy is a single player and multiplayer tactical turn-based strategy game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Bazooka Tango and was released on April 6, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

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!

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69%

Audience ScoreBased on 933 reviews

gameplay87 positive mentions

monetization4 negative mentions

Unique blend of tactical gameplay and card mechanics, offering depth and strategy.
Generous rewards system allows players to earn cards quickly without spending money.
Active developer engagement with the community, responding to feedback and implementing changes.

Significant balance issues, with some factions and cards being overpowered compared to others.
Many cards still use placeholder art, which can detract from the overall experience.
Low player base leading to long matchmaking times and repetitive matchups.

gameplay
244 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
60%
4%
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 recent changes for disrupting the core experience and introducing unbalanced elements. Many users appreciate the intuitive controls and fluid gameplay, but express concerns over issues like excessive gacha mechanics, convoluted upgrade systems, and a lack of engaging content, particularly in higher competitive tiers. Overall, while the game shows potential and offers enjoyable mechanics, it faces challenges in balance and player retention due to its evolving nature and community feedback.
- “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.”
- “Fast forward to February of 2025 and the devs did a complete rework of the gameplay, UI, and upgrade system, and none of these were being asked for by the community.”
- “After playing a while more, I have to add a few more things: 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.”
- “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
156 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
55%
3%
The graphics in Shardbound receive mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant art style and detailed animations, while others note the prevalence of placeholder artwork and unfinished models. Although the visuals are generally considered appealing, especially for a card game, the game's early access status means that many elements are still incomplete, leading to a lack of variety in card designs and some performance issues on lower-end systems. Overall, while the potential for stunning graphics is recognized, significant improvements are still needed to fully realize this potential.
- “From the vibrant colors to the detailed animations and unique aesthetics of each unit and terrain, Shardbound excels in its artistic presentation.”
- “The graphics and animations are already polished (albeit some placeholders), the mechanics are right, and the battlefields add a new complexity that something like Duelyst misses.”
- “The art style is great, a ton of atmosphere and character; it's not a re-skin of something else.”
- “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
55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
67%
13%
The game's story aspect is criticized for its lack of depth and content, with many players expressing a desire for more engaging narratives and quests tailored to different races. While some enjoy the foundational story and character interactions, the overall experience feels shallow due to limited single-player content and repetitive gameplay. Players are eager for a more developed campaign and richer lore to enhance their connection to the game's universe.
- “I enjoyed the story, and like the others, I too would like to see more of it.”
- “The story is definitely the most attention-grabbing area of the game, while the custom matches with CPU and players online become repetitive over time and lack rewards.”
- “And if you're like me and enjoy reading up on the lore and backstory of a game, this game will do you just fine.”
- “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
10%
77%
13%
The monetization in this game has been widely criticized as predatory and overly aggressive, with many players feeling it detracts significantly from the overall experience. Users report a confusing array of currencies, high prices for in-game purchases, and a pay-to-win model that limits gameplay unless players spend money. Overall, the monetization strategy is seen as a major flaw, turning what could be an enjoyable game into a frustrating cash grab.
- “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
19%
56%
25%
Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting poor performance, especially on laptops and lower-end systems. While some users acknowledge that the game is still in early access and may improve over time, they express frustration over current performance issues and the need for better optimization. Despite these concerns, there are also mentions of smooth performance on higher-end setups, indicating a disparity in optimization across different hardware.
- “It's quite balanced though there surely is room for optimization.”
- “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.”
- “Not only do the devs provide weekly updates, they actively communicate with the community via the Discord and respond to feedback, questions, and even help you troubleshoot any performance issues you might be having with the game.”
- “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
42%
33%
25%
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, opinions vary widely, with some suggesting that the music could use improvement, while others find it enjoyable and complementary to the game's mechanics.
- “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).”
- “Game runs smooth, music is not great but it's not even necessary.”
- “Elevator music.”
grinding
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
91%
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 that can further complicate the experience. Overall, the grind is seen as a significant barrier to enjoyment, with some players feeling it detracts from the game's potential.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to develop your characters and unlock new abilities that enhance the overall experience.”
- “I love how the grinding system encourages exploration and experimentation with different strategies, making each session feel fresh and engaging.”
- “The grind may be time-consuming, but the sense of achievement when you finally level up your character or obtain rare items is absolutely worth it.”
- “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
100%
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 certain game mechanics and the cleverness of the dialogue, although 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
100%
The game's stability is mixed, with some users experiencing significant bugs and graphical issues, particularly on lower settings, while others report minimal glitches despite being in early access. Overall, while the game is enjoyable, its stability remains a concern for many players.
- “Better friend list interface (still a tad buggy like Paladins was a while back).”
- “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!”
- “Looks cool, but there are some buggy graphics only because it's new.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
60%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its fantastic art style and immersive character, creating a magical experience despite being in early access with some incomplete elements. Reviewers appreciate the unique setting, which reflects the game's theme of a world destroyed and floating in the upper atmosphere, contributing to its overall charm and depth.
- “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
100%
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
67%
33%
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
100%
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 compared to the others, leading to a diminished overall experience.

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9h Median play time

31h Average play time

5-15h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 12 analyzed playthroughs

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Shardbound: Forge Your Path, Master Your Strategy is a tactical turn-based strategy game with fantasy theme.

Shardbound: Forge Your Path, Master Your Strategy is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 31 hours playing Shardbound: Forge Your Path, Master Your Strategy.

Shardbound: Forge Your Path, Master Your Strategy was released on April 6, 2017.

Shardbound: Forge Your Path, Master Your Strategy was developed by Bazooka Tango.

Shardbound: Forge Your Path, Master Your Strategy has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its monetization.

Shardbound: Forge Your Path, Master Your Strategy is a single player game with multiplayer support.

Similar games include Faeria, Duelyst, Infinity Wars: Animated Trading Card Game, Mythgard, Labyrinth and others.

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