GAME
OF THE
DAY
GWENT: The Witcher Card Game
Epic Card Battles
Gather round, ye noble adventurers, and listen to the tale of a game called Gwent. Mistake it not for your typical card battler, for ’tis a wondrous creation all its own.
This unique head-to-head online card game is based on the Witcher fantasy novels and videogame franchise, starring the silver-haired monster slayer Geralt of Rivia.
The goal isn’t to wipe out your opponent’s leader or eliminate all their cards—it’s to score the highest number of points in best-of-three matches.
This makes Gwent supremely easy to learn, while opening up deep strategic possibilities. Will you play high-point cards and risk their being destroyed, or crowd the battlefield with a slew of lower-point critters? The lore-filled tutorial, which tells a well-crafted tale of Geralt and a nasty spider queen, teaches the basics.
Many cards have secondary abilities that can profoundly change the outcome. Play a Kaedweni Sergeant to boost an allied unit’s points, or play Geralt himself to take down a massive enemy unit. Exploring the five factions, from the undying Skellige to the disruptive Nilfgaardian Empire, is a tactical delight.
It looks amazing too. Every card is fully animated. Geralt heroically swings his sword; the mighty bear Olaf shakes the screen with his roar. The game board simply bursts with life.
Whether you prefer to take on A.I. golems or claw your way up the online ladder, Gwent is as rich and unforgettable as the world that spawned it. Just ask the bards.