The Order & Chaos(O&C) has just expanded to a new genre on the Android and iOS platforms. Today, the Order & Chaos franchise has added another title into a new genre to their list, the trading card game Order & Chaos:Duels. While the TCG genre isn’t new to the mobile platform, let’s have a look at how Order & Chaos: Duels fares against similar games.
The Gameplay
The game is based on your traditional trading card game(TCG) with options of expanding your deck beyond your starting packs. O&C:Duels is a unique as you will be able to choose between four(4) different factions to play; Human, Elf, Orc and the Undead. Each faction has their own unique heroes, minions, weapon, armors and spells to cast. The tutorial is fun and easy to follow, so starting off isn’t too difficult.
The tutorial will eventually lead to the single player campaign or a Player Pillage mode and Multi player modes. The goal of each duel is to eliminate your opponent by reducing their heroes vitality to zero (0) before he eliminates you. As you progress, you will level up with your hero card which will increase its vitality.
The Mechanics
At the start, a deck of cards will be made available to you, beginning with 30 cards. As you progress in level, you can purchase extra card slots or purchase in-game premium cards via their in-app purchases. You will also have a library where you can keep your excess cards to use in the future which can only be accessed before or after the duel.
Understanding the card is quite simple. Like any other trading card game, it will naturally have the cost of casting attack power, vitality/health and its unique spells or skills attached to it. Unless it is a spell, the casting cost, attack power and vitality of the card will be revealed. Tap on the card and more details of the card will be shown; creature type, activation skills or a closer look at the amazing artwork this game has.
Casting the card will consume mana, which can be increased with a card sacrifice each turn. You may cast any amount of spells or creatures if you have sufficient mana to do it. The hero card you possess will also allows you to activate hero abilities which needs to be charged. You also may equip your hero with your equipment card at a mana cost to further protect you hero.
Also, do note that you cannot play cards that are not meant for your faction, like example: If you have an Orc Deck, you cannot play Human faction cards.
The Game Modes
As you play O&C:Duels, you will start off with the campaign mode. In the campaign mode, you will be given access to a variety of cards to play and choose from. As you progress, you will be awarded with coins and battle runes, which can be used to exchange with cards in the shop. The story progression in the campaign varies from the faction you choose to start and it is based upon the lore of the Order & Chaos series.
The multiplayer mode allows you to enter a Ranked Duel or a Custom Duel. The Ranked Duel mode follows a ranked ladder system, you increase in rank if you win, it decreases if you lose. Custom Duel on the other hand, allows you to create or search for a a match that fits your requirements. are good at it. This system works for searching and creating a game in it.
If you’re a fairly competitive player, there’s a leaderboard to check where you stand globally.
The Cards
O&C:Duels has a variety of cards to buy or trade with what you have. Mainly, the cards value is divided into several rarity levels, Common, Uncommon, Rare and Epic Cards. Players will start off with 30 Common cards with the options of purchase better ones as they progress. A total of 250 cards are available at the moment, but like many other trading card games, that will definitely expand.
The Verdict
In comparison to many digital trading card games out there, this takes the cake. This game may feel overly simplified if you’ve played trading card games such as Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh or Duel Masters, however, it’s easy to pick up, and its free to play. Unfortunately, this game requires you to have a constant internet connection available, meaning no offline mode. You’ll also have to use real money to buy the really good cards.
Despite these problems, Order & Chaos: Duels manages to balance great artwork with simplified combat mechanics, suitable for the mobile platform. Besides, you won’t have to shuffle your deck after each game, so that’s another plus.
Order & Chaos: Duels is available FREE on the iOS and Android platforms.
Note: If you have a Gameloft or Facebook Account, it would make the logging into the game much easier.
Review Unit used: iPod Fifth Generation, 64GB on iOS 6.1.2
Issues Faced: None
