Smash Up

About

Smash Up is a shufflebuilding card game where players draft two faction decks, such as pirates, ninjas, robots, zombies, and more, and combine them to create a unique deck. The goal is to conquer bases and prevent opponents from doing the same. Each faction has distinct abilities and strategies, adding variety and excitement to gameplay. Some factions, like aliens and dinosaurs, have special abilities that can move minions or increase their power, adding an extra layer of strategy and unpredictability.

Genres & Tags

Strategy

Play Modes

60%

Audience ScoreBased on 95 reviews

replayability3 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Very true to life replication of the card game with challenging AI and a variety of strategies.
Great adaptation of the physical game, allowing for solo play against AI and online multiplayer with friends.
Fun and addictive gameplay with a lot of variety in faction combinations and strategies.

The game is plagued by numerous bugs, crashes, and a clunky user interface that detracts from the experience.
Limited expansions available compared to the physical version, leading to lower replayability.
Online play is often unplayable due to crashes and a lack of players, making it difficult to find matches.

gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
50%
38%
Gameplay has been criticized for its clunky UI and mechanical design, which can make it difficult for new players to grasp without external tutorials. Many users found the reliance on random card effects detracted from strategic planning, leading to a more chaotic experience. Additionally, various gameplay mechanics were reported to have errors, further diminishing the overall enjoyment.
- “You enjoy the physical version 'mechanically' and want to play it more.”
- “If this is your first time playing this game, I would recommend watching some tutorial videos of how the actual board game plays on YouTube, because the UI here is very mechanical and takes understanding the base game for it to make sense.”
- “The UI design prioritizes streamlined gameplay over clarity, so it takes some getting used to to understand what's going on.”
- “The card effects mean it's really hard to plan a long-term strategy without just getting hindered by random card effects, resulting in gameplay that's less strategic and more just two players taking turns telling each other to go away.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
Overall, the replayability of the game is considered low in its current digital form due to a lack of expansions, which are abundant in the physical version and significantly enhance replay value. However, there is potential for improvement with the addition of new factions, as seen in other games like Smash Up, where diverse faction pairings create varied strategies and gameplay experiences.
- “There are tons of expansions in the physical version which adds tons of replayability and synergies to the game.”
- “The Steam version will benefit a great deal in replayability from new factions, and I hope to see more.”
- “Smash Up has great replay value, because every pairing of factions provides new strategies, combinations, and gameplay.”
- “The replayability is very low as well.”
- “A really excellent adaptation of the card game, but is missing a whole lot of expansions and therefore lacks a lot of replayability.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The graphics are widely praised for their attractive artwork and nostalgic pop culture themes, contributing to a visually appealing experience. Reviewers appreciate the beauty of the artwork, highlighting it as a standout feature of the game. Overall, the graphics enhance the game's concept and factions, making it a visually engaging experience.
- “I also love all the artwork and the pop culture themes and nostalgia.”
- “Artwork is attractive.”
- “It is a great port, and the artwork is beautiful as always.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, users report mixed experiences with stability; while some glitches have been addressed, issues persist with online play interruptions and system freezes.
- “Super buggy.”
- “Second, the issue when someone stops playing online or their computer freezes up.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The music and sound effects in the game are generally well-received, though some users express personal dislike for the music. Additionally, there are suggestions for enhancing the audio experience with voice interaction. Overall, while the music may not appeal to everyone, it is considered a positive aspect of the game.
- “The music and sound effects are really impressive.”
- “The soundtrack adds a great atmosphere to the game.”
- “The variety of music keeps the gameplay engaging and enjoyable.”
- “The German translation is absolutely cringeworthy, and I personally don't like the music, but those are minor gripes.”
- “It would be nice if there were some kind of voice interaction besides the music.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is generally well-received, effectively capturing the essence of the card game without any technical issues or crashes reported by users.
- “I think it handles quite well; I experienced no crashes, and it captures the atmosphere of the card game.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game to be highly entertaining and addictive, with a strong emphasis on humor that enhances the overall experience.
- “The game is very fun, addicting, and funny.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, particularly regarding tedious tasks like discarding cards after a match has been decided, which detracts from the overall enjoyment and flow of gameplay.
- “Don't make me do tedious things like discarding cards when the game is already won or lost.”
- “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I find myself spending more time grinding for resources than actually enjoying the game.”