Yi Xian: The Cultivation Card Game

About

"Yi Xian: The Cultivation Card Game" is a card game where players build their deck by choosing appropriate cards and exerting the biggest power of their cards by combining and collocating them. Each game, players can choose a Sub-Profession with a set of exclusive cards, allowing for different game experiences. The game also features Destiny, a gift of fate with various effects that players can choose from each time they break through.

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Play Modes

Yi Xian: The Cultivation Card Game screenshot

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,362 reviews

gameplay86 positive mentions

grinding10 negative mentions

Yi Xian offers a unique blend of deck-building and autobattler mechanics, providing a deep and strategic gameplay experience.
The game features a variety of characters and sects, each with unique abilities and playstyles, allowing for diverse strategies.
The monetization model is fair, with all characters and side jobs unlockable through gameplay, and microtransactions limited to cosmetic items.

The English translation can be inconsistent and confusing, making it difficult for new players to understand some mechanics.
There are frequent server issues, leading to disconnections and frustrating gameplay experiences.
The game can feel unbalanced at times, with certain builds or characters dominating the meta, making it challenging for players using less popular options.

gameplay
280 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
68%
1%
The gameplay of "Yi Xian: The Cultivation Card Game" is praised for its innovative blend of deck-building and autobattler mechanics, offering deep strategic complexity and engaging mechanics that keep players hooked. While the game features a beautiful art style and a captivating soundtrack, some players note that translation issues can occasionally hinder understanding of the mechanics. Overall, the gameplay is described as addictive and rewarding, with a good balance of accessibility for newcomers and depth for seasoned players.
- “The gameplay is riveting and I can't wait to dig deeper into the deckbuilding combat system.”
- “The balance between deck-building strategy and real-time decision-making during battles creates a compelling gameplay experience.”
- “With its innovative gameplay, stunning artwork, and deep strategic depth, it offers a compelling experience for fans of both genres.”
- “The only drawback is that the occasionally spotty translation and large amounts of text and mechanics can leave you feeling confused about what happens without studying a lot.”
- “There are some mechanics that are hard to figure out due to translation issues, but those are getting improved with each patch, so I'm hopeful it will be clear and understandable before too long.”
- “The English translation is a bit lackluster and confusing, especially in regards to some of the more complex mechanics.”
monetization
86 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
77%
12%
The monetization model of the game is generally viewed positively, with most microtransactions being limited to cosmetic items such as character and card skins. Players report that while there are options to purchase premium currency, the game provides ample in-game currency through gameplay, allowing for the unlocking of characters without spending money. Overall, the monetization is considered fair and not pay-to-win, with no essential purchases required to enjoy the game fully.
- “Well designed game with a favorable monetization scheme.”
- “No but seriously, you can safely ignore any reviews talking about pay-to-win microtransactions; you can buy cosmetics for premium currency, but unlockables are bought using the in-game, grindable currency.”
- “While this game has additional in-app purchases, it was not necessary to enjoy the game completely, as the game is pretty generous with the resources you need to unlock new characters or new jobs.”
- “When you open the game for the first time, it appears like a mobile cash grab.”
- “The only real downside is that additional characters and sub-classes are locked behind a lot of grinding - or paying for microtransactions.”
- “I think the skepticism behind the game being paid and also including microtransactions is valid; it should either be free or have no paywalls for the gameplay unlockables.”
music
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
44%
5%
The music in the game is generally praised for its beauty and relaxing qualities, with many players appreciating the traditional Chinese influences that enhance the atmosphere and pacing of gameplay. While some find the soundtrack repetitive, the overall consensus is that the music complements the game's aesthetics and mechanics well, contributing to a fun and immersive experience. A few players expressed a desire for an official soundtrack release, highlighting the music's impact on their enjoyment of the game.
- “I just love this game so much, from the music to the actual gameplay.”
- “Soundtrack is beautiful and the core gameplay loop is addictive.”
- “The Chinese traditional music gives the game a great atmosphere and helps set the pacing of combat/gameplay.”
- “Amazing art, nice but repetitive music, and the characters feel fluent, well made, and unique.”
- “The translation is super poor in spots too; there is some card calling musician's chant (or something, can't remember the exact words) and it talks about 'music' cards... no card has the 'music' tag and this card is actually part of a puzzle. You just have to play around and hope something is musical and... I dunno, say...'twisting chairs flower dance' is in fact not just an interesting way of saying 'stick you with the pointy end while dodging your attack' but is in fact somehow music related and an actual dance someone is doing in the middle of a fight.”
- “Also, the music got worse, but that's just an opinion.”
graphics
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
44%
5%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning artwork and elegant art style, particularly reflecting a Chinese fantasy aesthetic that many players find appealing. While some reviews note that the user interface could be improved, the overall visual experience is described as vibrant and charming, enhancing the gameplay without being hindered by any paywalls for essential content. Players appreciate the beautiful illustrations and animations, which contribute to an engaging and visually interesting experience.
- “The artwork is stunning, featuring beautifully illustrated cards that evoke the grandeur and mystique of ancient China.”
- “It has beautiful graphics, a very elegant art style, and a not-too-shabby gameplay loop.”
- “The graphics are gorgeous.”
- “The graphics and UI are not the greatest, but it does not impact the core of the gameplay.”
- “The graphics are fine, the English translation is clear but horribly worded, the single-player mode is uninspired, but the multiplayer gameplay is so good you should get it anyways.”
- “The artwork is very pretty and the animations, while very basic as you might expect, do make the fight a little more visually interesting to watch than, say, Super Auto Pets.”
story
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
75%
7%
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that the English translation is poor and difficult to follow, detracting from the overall experience. While there are single-player modes and a rudimentary storyline, most players find the story mode draggy and often choose to skip the dialogue in favor of gameplay. Overall, the narrative is considered minimal and not a primary draw for the game, with many players focusing more on the mechanics and deck-building elements.
- “There are also single-player modes with tutorials and challenges, as well as a rudimentary storyline for those who care to read through it.”
- “The card title 'flavors' and the interactions of cards is like storytelling in a deck builder.”
- “The story is a bit rough around the edges in the English translation, but you are not playing the game for that.”
- “The English translation of the story is not very good and hard to follow if you aren't used to that kind of thing, which might be off-putting at first.”
- “Story mode is draggy and too long to go through, but you can choose to skip all the dialogue.”
- “Cons: the translation needs a little work, a few typos here and there and occasional odd grammar, and none of the dialogue is subtitled - though with no plot I don't think I am missing much.”
replayability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
31%
19%
The game offers significant replayability, thanks to its engaging singleplayer modes, roguelike elements, and a balanced RNG system that encourages creative strategies and skill development. While players may find limited replay value after completing the hardest difficulty, the ability to unlock and play all characters in casual mode enhances the overall experience. Overall, the game is praised for its variety and low price relative to its quality.
- “The replayability is incredible, the game is fun, it's fairly balanced, the price is absurdly low for the quality you get.”
- “Very replayable, hones in on creative strategy, and rewards player skill.”
- “The RNG aspect and good balance gives enough variety for good replayability.”
- “Not a ton of replay value once you're cleared the hardest setting, but it'll take a decent amount of time to get there.”
- “Singleplayer modes gotta be another point of my personal gratitude for the game - showcasing the interactions, having great roguelike aspects and most importantly - enough of replayability is what makes me come here for more.”
- “Also all characters are playable at casual mode, only ranked need you to own the character.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Yi Xian: The Cultivation Card Game" is characterized by its quirky blend of strategy and zen elements, likened to a meditation retreat version of "Magic: The Gathering." While the gameplay is praised, the localization suffers from overly literal translations, resulting in unintentionally funny sentences that add a humorous touch to the experience. Overall, the humor is seen as a mixed bag, with some players finding it amusing despite its flaws.
- “Like 'Magic: The Gathering' on a meditation retreat, 'Yi Xian: The Cultivation Card Game' blends strategy and zen with a dash of humor!”
- “It is the one complaint I agree they could do better on, as it is pretty evident that the translations are very literal translations of the Chinese words, which leads to some funny sentences.”
- “Good gameplay, horribly funny localization.”
grinding
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players acknowledge that while grinding is a significant aspect of the game, it is often seen as a necessary part of the experience rather than a chore. The main criticism lies in the fact that some characters and sub-classes require extensive grinding or microtransactions to unlock, but overall, the game provides enough currency through gameplay to enhance player diversity and maintain quick matchmaking times.
- “The only real downside is that additional characters and sub-classes are locked behind a lot of grinding - or paying for microtransactions.”
- “I've seen people say that the characters are a bit grindy, and yes, that's true, but that's kind of the point, isn't it?”
- “Do not think of this as 'oh I'm grinding them to level 5 so I can play them in ranked,' but instead just enjoy the game you're playing.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The optimization aspect of the game is marked by a steep learning curve, particularly for new players who may feel overwhelmed without guidance. While there are numerous strategies and card combinations to explore, success often hinges on luck and the current meta, which can lead to frustration. Overall, the game offers rich opportunities for experimentation, but effective optimization requires a solid understanding of the mechanics and balance.
- “With a wide variety of cards to collect and multiple strategies to explore, players have ample opportunities for experimentation and optimization.”
- “New players can easily get confused and frustrated unless they read a guide for whatever character and style they're playing. Even then, your actual performance is still mostly dependent on luck and the current state of the meta/balance.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is significantly enhanced by its traditional Chinese music, which not only enriches the overall experience but also complements the pacing of combat and gameplay. This thoughtful integration contributes to a refined and beautiful ambiance, making it a standout in the auto-battler genre.
- “The Chinese traditional music gives the game a great atmosphere and helps set the pacing of combat and gameplay.”
- “A really great take on auto-battlers that refines the genre and adds a beautiful atmosphere on top.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in this game is criticized for being superficial and lacking depth, as it merely incorporates some thematic elements of cultivation and Chinese fantasy without offering meaningful mechanics or innovative interpretations of the genre. Overall, it is viewed as a mediocre experience that fails to engage players in character growth.
- “It has extremely little to do with cultivation or Chinese fantasy; it's just a mediocre card game with a few terms and character designs that resemble cultivation, lacking any actual inspired mechanics or interesting takes on the genre.”