Yesterday, the Free to Play online card game Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel was released on Steam, Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox one and Xbox Series X. Despite the lack of fanfare and almost no notification of a release date, players immediately swarmed the game to get a headstart on building their decks and get a first taste of the dueling experience.
The overall response on steam has been positive with players praising the vibrant card animations, intuitive duel interface and overall polish. The game has seen a meteoric rise in playerbase, revitalising the old nostalgic card game for a new generation.
Should you play Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel?
With the game’s massive community and fresh start, Master Duel presents an excellent opportunity to get into the famed trading card game. The game also features a scripted tutorial and solo mode to get you familiar with the game mechanics and fundamentals, which will help you determine if the gameplay is fit for you.
Furthermore, the game has a generous card crafting system, allowing you to have easier access to specific cards you want for your deck. For most people, the hefty monetary investment for the real-life card game was a barrier for entry and Master Duel remedies that by essentially giving you the tools to build your ideal deck for free.
If you wish to expedite the process, the game also allows you to buy card packs via premium currency.
For New Players
The game admittedly is difficult to learn for players who have never played Yu-Gi-Oh before, with its lacklustre outlets for information in-game, underpowered starting decks and complex gameplay.
Whilst the tutorial is fine for the basics, Yu-Gi-Oh has an overwhelming amount of playable cards, with countless effects and interactions that are not immediately apparent; as a new player, it can be easy to get lost in your own turn. Starting decks also see very little mileage and so it’s recommended you follow a build, which is not obvious to a new player.
If this is your first time playing Yu-Gi-Oh, it is recommended you either follow guides or play with a group of friends. This game has insane depth and you will be rewarded with a fulfilling experience for learning the game, but it also means that there needs to be effort invested to get the most out of it.
There is a reason why Yu-Gi-Oh is one of the most popular trading card game despite its age.
For Experienced Players
If you are a veteran or you managed to push through the game’s steep learning curve, it is exactly what fans have been waiting for. A fully-fledged Yu-Gi-Oh game that uses a standardised system using official cards and ruling. It is has an up-to-date card roster, intuitive deck building system and excellent presentation that is free of any glitches and bugs.
Moreover, a generous card crafting system gives players the ability to experiment with a wide variety of decks and builds, with more cards on the horizon that will see release alongside the physical card game.
Combined with a mixture of cosmetic items to express yourself as a player, cross-platform gameplay and cross-platform saving, what we have is a truly modern Yu-Gi-Oh game that has the chance to put the franchise back on the mainstream.
Are you thinking of picking up the game? Have I scared you off? Have you watched the anime? Go wild with your thoughts in the comment box!
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