Star Wars: Deckbuilding Game Review: A Beginner-Friendly Galactic Civil War Battle
Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game is a two-player deckbuilding game released in 2023 by Fantasy Flight Games.
Players will compete as the Rebels and the Empire, destroying each other's bases and vying for control of the galaxy.
This is the first Star Wars-themed deck-building game, and while it only takes about 30-45 minutes to play, you can still enjoy intense strategic battles.
In this article, we will explain in detail the appeal and points to note about this game based on actual player reviews.
Game Basics
Players are divided into Imperial and Rebel factions, and each player begins the game with a 10-card starter deck.
- Players: 2
- Playtime: 30-45 minutes
- Ages: 12 and up
- Designer: Caleb Grace
The game's currency is of three types: attack power, resources, and force. Players use the five cards in their hand to attack their opponent's base, and the first player to destroy three bases wins.
There are two types of cards: unit cards, which are discarded after being used once, and large ship cards, which remain on the field until destroyed.
The basic flow is to use resources to purchase cards from Galaxy Row (the card market) and strengthen your deck.
The appeal of Star Wars: Deckbuilding Game
This game has a lot to offer thanks to its innovative mix of mechanics and themes.
Innovative Galaxy Row System
The biggest feature of this game is the system that allows you to attack cards from the opponent's team .
In traditional deck builders, you can only purchase cards from your own faction or neutral cards, but in this game you can attack your opponent's cards with "Bounty Hunter" or "Sabotage" to earn rewards.
One player shared their experience, saying, "I was after Han Solo, but I didn't even have a chance to recruit him before he was killed by an evil Empire player."
This system provides an innovative solution that allows you to clear the field by attacking and also receive bonuses, even if only one side's cards are on the field.
Perfect integration of Star Wars themes
Each faction has its own unique characteristics and is not just a copy.
The Rebels are more agile and can force the Empire to discard, while the Empire is definitely stronger and can pressure the Rebels with a ton of attacking power.
The Millennium Falcon and Han Solo combo is particularly impressive, as the Falcon has the ability to add other unique cards from the discard pile to your hand, creating powerful synergy when combined with Han Solo.
One player excitedly commented, "With just these two cards, you can achieve an incredible total attack power of 8."
Strategic maneuvering with the Force Track
The Force Track is perhaps the most Star Wars-esque element in the game.
Certain cards will slide the Force Marker towards you, and many cards give bonuses if the Force Marker is on your side when played.
When the Force is with you, additional abilities become available.
For example, X-wings allow you to draw an extra card, U-wings can repair 3 damage, and Luke Skywalker himself has the awesome power to destroy entire ships.
Strategic base selection system
Another attractive feature is the system that allows you to choose from 10 different bases when your base is destroyed.
Everyone starts with a default base with no powers, but once it's destroyed you can choose your next base and choose the power to suit the game situation.
One player described their experience, saying, "I was able to use Corellia to put Darth Vader directly into my hand, which felt really awesome."
This catch-up mechanism ensures that there is always a chance of recovery if you fall behind.
Concerns and solutions
While there are many attractive features, there are also some areas for improvement.
Fluctuations due to luck
The main issue cited by several reviewers is that the game is "a bit erratic."
The outcome of a game can be greatly influenced by the cards that appear in Galaxy Row. If few large ship cards appear, the game may end in 10-15 minutes, but if many large ships appear, it may take up to 45 minutes.
Solution: The system that allows you to attack your opponent's cards greatly mitigates this issue.
If you have a lot of cards in play that you don't want, you can attack to remove them and put new cards into play.
Some components could be improved
It has been pointed out that the Force Track is made of very thin and fragile paper, with a crease in the middle that makes it prone to tearing.
Some players have also complained that it can be difficult to use when you need a large number of cube tokens to record damage.
Solution: These are functional issues and do not affect gameplay.
The reviewer also commented that "the components aren't that bad, but this one aspect makes it feel cheap and ruins the rest of the game," but still praised the game itself.
Opportunities for using Force abilities
Some have commented that the Force Track feels a bit underutilized.
Only about 20 cards out of 90 react to the Force Track, and not all of them are unique.
Solution: This is something that is likely to be improved in future expansions.
The game balance is still good, and cards with force abilities have powerful effects.
Recommended for these people and occasions
It's a game that can be enjoyed by many different types of players.
Deck building beginners
With very approachable rules and a play time of under an hour, it's ideal for those new to deckbuilding games .
For Star Wars enthusiasts who are new to the hobby, this game could be a great introductory game.
Star Wars fans
While the gameplay itself isn't as thematic as X-Wing or Rebellion, it's fun to see the different characters and ships and how they're integrated into this game, including some faces from Rogue One that we haven't seen in the game before.
Looking for a two-player game?
It's a great, easy-to-digest two-player game that can be enjoyed in quick 25-minute sessions.
It's definitely a face-to-face game, with a lot of player interaction and you'll be attacking your opponent almost every turn.
As a family game
Especially if you and your child are Star Wars enthusiasts, this game is a perfect choice for those who love both the theme and the mechanics.
It offers a new generation of Star Wars fans an entry point into the complex world of strategy gaming.
Star Wars: Deckbuilding Game is described as "the perfect blend of smooth, fast-paced deckbuilding gameplay and Star Wars fandom."
With a good balance of luck and strategy and high replay value, it embraces Star Wars themes with its core conflicts and visual style, while providing a rich and rewarding gameplay experience that Star Wars fans of all experience levels will enjoy.
Whether you're a deckbuilding novice or veteran, or a Star Wars fan, be sure to try out this truly "Force-on" gaming experience.
Check the product on the online store page
Free shipping throughout Japan. Orders placed before 3pm will be shipped the same day.
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