Engaging with Shuffle Tactics invites a broader reflection on the deckbuilding roguelike genre. The landscape is dotted with titles that employ a familiar structure: navigating branching maps that feature shops, minor encounters, and elite challenges, all culminating in a boss battle before progressing to the next stage. Since the release of Slay the Spire in 2017, it seems that a significant portion of new games have adopted this formula, each with their unique twists, yielding varying degrees of success. For those seeking a blend of Slay the Spire and Peggle, Peglin fits the bill. If the combination of Slay the Spire and Mega Man Battle Network piques your interest, One Step from Eden is the answer. Now, for enthusiasts of Slay the Spire and Final Fantasy Tactics, Shuffle Tactics emerges as a compelling option.
This comparison is not intended as a critique. Rather, Shuffle Tactics revitalizes established mechanics, presenting them in engaging and innovative ways. Each stage introduces players to a grid-based map populated with adversaries and objectives, such as defeating all enemies or targeting a boss. Players maneuver their characters while utilizing action points to deploy cards, attacking foes and defending against their strategies. While Shuffle Tactics largely adheres to genre expectations, the execution is undeniably enjoyable.
Even the most basic attacks carry a sense of weight, and the board is often filled with low-health minions eager to be defeated. Each enemy takedown is accompanied by a stylish screen flash, transforming the act of clearing the board into an addictive experience. As players progress, they will eventually choose from three distinct characters, each equipped with unique specialties and loadouts. Initially, players can access the formidable Doberknight, a melee powerhouse known for its sword-throwing prowess. As the game unfolds, options expand to include an archer with ricocheting arrows and a cunning turret specialist, alongside a mysterious magic user.
Empowering Player Choice
Where Shuffle Tactics truly excels is in its ability to empower players to customize their character’s combat decks through gameplay. After each encounter, players are rewarded with various items to enhance their decks. In true deckbuilder fashion, opportunities arise to add or remove cards, allowing for a personalized experience that can lead to both triumphs and pitfalls.
Additionally, players can acquire relics that provide significant passive effects, as well as items that can be attached to specific cards to introduce new capabilities, such as poison effects or increased range. The journey is not a solitary one; players can recruit a variety of sidekicks, each with their own decks, eager to join the fray under the player’s command.
With the multitude of components available, each playthrough of Shuffle Tactics promises a unique experience, which may very well be its greatest strength. However, amidst the myriad effects and potential upgrades, the game could benefit from enhanced tutorialization. While the challenge of navigating an intricate game can be enjoyable, certain mechanics remain inadequately explained. For instance, it took several encounters before I discovered how to effectively control my sidekick, among other nuances.
Moreover, the game does weave a narrative thread, featuring a king who has succumbed to madness and a series of troubling events that complicate the landscape. These narrative elements, while present, serve more as minor distractions than significant issues. Ultimately, Shuffle Tactics stands out as an engaging and thoughtful deckbuilder, one that players will likely find themselves returning to time and again.
