Infinity Wars is a multiplayer online animated trading card game developed by Lightmare Studios. It was built according to a Freemium model, allowing players to play for free, whilst offering additional content as micro-transactions. Unlike many game of this model, this game is not pay-to-win as every card is obtainable in-game without having to make a purchase.
Infinity Wars draws on many aspects of popular card games and reinvents the genre on a digital medium. The lack of physical cards allows for more expansion and the introduction of more complex rules and effects than a traditional game of cards. Every card in Infinity Wars is animated, allowing the player to connect with the game on a deeper level than if they were static. There are even cards that modify the appearance of the 3-dimensional game board, allowing each player to know which location card is currently active for each player.
Even though this game features a large amount of different cards with varying effects, it is quite easy to learn how to play. The complexities lie within the strategies that the different card effects promote. There are currently 10 factions of cards to explore with new cards being added on a regular basis. Different factions have different mechanics, which in turn, forces the player to have a different play-style.
Getting started as a beginner is simple as the well thought-out tutorials and campaign allow the player to get straight into the gameplay. Completion of the campaign missions rewards the player with starting cards for the respective nation to give them a head-start. As more games are played, points and experience are awarded, this allows the player to gain more cards by purchasing them with in-game currency or opening the level-up rewards. Gathering more cards allows for more complex strategies to evolve.
Overall, the balancing in this game is well-thought out as the factions seem quite evenly weighted. Certain factions have advantages over others, however with decent strategic play and a bit of luck, it is possible to overcome a faction disadvantage. The use of a commander system is very effective as it limits the number of factions and the types of cards that can be within a deck.
Deck building is one of the greatest things about Infinity Wars, with an easy to use user-interface, and a large variety of different cards, it is possible to spend vast amounts of time creating the 'perfect deck'. Having commanders of several different factions allows the player to have more diversity in the cards they choose, and allows them to cover some of their weaknesses. This is a double-edged sword, however, as some cards require more than one commander of the same faction.
The game-play in Infinity Wars is where the magic happens. Upon starting a game, the player draws five cards automatically, these cards act as their starting hand and can cause a dramatic effect on the battle that is to unfold. Certain cards are especially useful in the first hand as they increase the maximum number of resources available, thus allowing the player to play more cards. Others hinder the opposing player directly. Turns are calculated simultaneously with ability priority given to the player who currently has the 'Initiative'. The initiative mechanic allows the active player to have their abilities and effects resolved first, this means that it is vital to pay attention to the initiative during gameplay to maximise the efficiency of the played ability cards. Each turn the initiative changes player and the players draw a card (unless an ability grants them additional draws).
In summary, Infinity Wars is an animated trading card game developed by an Australian independent developer and is based on a Freemium business model. Every card in the game has its own animation, regardless of the card type, and location cards can manipulate the appearance of the board whilst their effects are in use. Infinity Wars is an easy game to learn, but complex enough that it is impossible to master. The balancing used within the game allows for faction advantages, however, good strategies and skill can reduce the effect of this disadvantage. Every player has the opportunity to create their own deck, or use one of the preset decks for that week. Game-play in Infinity Wars happens at the same time for both players, yet the initiative feature allows for turn-based strategies to be developed.
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