Ranking mmotcg \ card games

What We Liked..

looks and sounds great

lots of strategy

positioning adds another layer

currently quite balanced

.. and what we didn't

just not as popular as some other CCGs

Bandai Namco brought more microtransactions

3.5 out of 5
Editorial vote: 7.0

Genre: strategy, cards

Setting: fantasy, sci-fi

Graphics: animated artworks

PvP: matches or duels


In most collectible card games, the hero, or summoner (or whatever you want to call it), sits out of sight, signified by a portrait, but in Duelyst, your general starts on the battlefield and gives the game its namesake. Battles in Duelyst are just that, duels. It’s your general pitted against your enemy’s general, and all the cards you play are in service of that.

➔ Main points:

  • fun implementation of generals
  • lots of strategic options
  • grid-based movement and positioning
  • great pixel art

What We Liked..

Captivating story-based campaign

Easy going and relaxed game play

No pressure to spend real world money.

.. and what we didn't

Slow going tutorial

No voice acting for character interactions

Quite repetitive after a while.

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.5

Genre: strategy, cards

Setting: fantasy

Graphics: animated artworks

PvP: PvE PvP


The fantasy world of Entrath has been ravaged by war for two millennia between the forces of the Underworld and the surface dwelling alliance, known as the Ardent. After no clear victor emerged, and both forces refused to admit defeat, an ongoing stalemate has ensued for the past two hundred years.

This stalemate has been littered with occasional skirmishes and short periods of fighting, but in comparison to the previous conflicts, life on Entrath has been mostly peaceful... Until now!

It is up to you, as a champion of your chosen faction, to collect and develop a powerful army of trading cards, in order to complete quests and accomplish the longer term goals of your alliance.

➔ Main points:

  • A rich and immersive Fantasy themed trading card game.
  • Choose your own champion, from one of six classes, out of the eight races engaged on Entrath.
  • Engaging and imaginative story-driven campaign with countless side quests and opportunities to explore.
  • Thriving online community with options for PVP battles, tournaments and a trading portal.

What We Liked..

Authentic MTG Experience

Player Population

Newbie friendly

.. and what we didn't

Matchmaking system needs work

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.5


Watch the trailer:

Genre: cards

Setting: fantasy

Graphics: animated artworks

PvP: matches or duels PvP


Magic: The Gathering Arena is a free to play online digital card game that offers the same cards, authenticity and fun that the table top version does. With only one game mode available in the open beta, 1v1 matches are still good fun as finding matches are quick due to plenty of players. Progression is a key feature as players play more to unlock new cards and decks for deck-building, which is a staple of Magic:The Gathering. While it doesn't offer anything extra to stand out from other online card games, Magic is arguably the card game that started the genre, and in that regard it doesn't need to be unique or special other than to give players an authentic game experience to supplement the physical version, which it does.

➔ Main points:

  • Authentic Magic: The Gathering game that uses real cards, rules and features from the tabletop version.
  • Only one game mode available right now in open beta.
  • Large player-base due to the franchise's popularity.
  • Free to play with optional cash shop.

What We Liked..

Fast paced

Strategic fun

Excellent graphics and presentation

Multi-platform

.. and what we didn't

Native resolution

Clunky controls

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.5

Genre: strategy, cards

Setting: fantasy

Graphics: animated artworks

PvP: matches or duels PvP


Shadowverse is a digital collectible card game that's free to play, and set in a fantasy anime universe. There are multiple game modes available, and all of them offers a satisfying blend of fun and strategy which is crucial for a card game. Shadowverse stands out from its competitors by introducing the evolve mechanic, allowing players to use a trump card to turn any match on its head, making the outcome unpredictable but less reliant on annoying RNGs.

The game also features a well polished but short main story campaign, on top of great graphics. It's also commendable that everything in the cash shop can be bought by in-game currency, awarded for simply playing more matches and ranking up. There are some downsides however, such as clunky controls, but it doesn't deter one from enjoying the solid gameplay.

➔ Main points:

  • Excellent card gameplay and mechanics that makes it one of the best card games today
  • Can be played on both PC and smartphones
  • Great graphics and presentation
  • Fair cash shop that allows you to purchase everything with in-game currency

What We Liked..

Turn-based combat

Family friendly

Good story

Immersive atmosphere

.. and what we didn't

Dated graphics

Arbritrary side quests

F2P restrictions

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.3

Genre: cards, mmorpg

Setting: fantasy, city

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: guild or factions matches or duels PvE PvP


Wizard101 is a free to play and family friendly MMO that puts players in the shoes of a wizard. In the graphically pleasing world of Spiral, players will use magic that's determined by their school of choice in turn-based combat using a deck of cards which provides for a fun and strategic combat experience.

Questing in Wizard101 feels like a grand adventure that will be familiar to Harry Potter fans, and the game's story is funny and well written with voice acting to boot.

It may be free to play, but the game does have restrictions on the amount of play areas, so players will have to front some money monthly if they want to access to areas and advance the stories.

As a whole, Wizard101 is great MMO that is suitable for kids and adults, providing a lot of magical fun through it's gameplay and story.

➔ Main points:

  • Unique and fun turn-based combat that uses a deck of cards for skills
  • Funny and engaging main story
  • Low system requirements due to dated graphics
  • Family friendly MMO
  • Free to play with restrictions