Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links2016

Yu-Gi-Oh! For me, Duel Links is one of those games where I have always liked to come back for years, although some things regularly annoy me. I have been playing Yu-Gi-Oh! since childhood and have known the card game for over 20 years. The ability to unpack familiar cards, build new decks and duel with others makes Duel Links a great game for me. However, there are also some weaknesses that cloud the fun of the game. What I particularly like is the classic Yu-Gi-Oh! feeling. The well-known characters, their sayings and animations as well as the huge map selection make for nostalgia. I especially enjoy the deck building. I like to try different strategies and am happy if a self-assembled deck actually works. A big plus is also that the account between smartphone and Steam can be used. So I can play comfortably on the PC and quickly start a round on the phone on the way. Especially for a card game, which can also be enjoyed in short game sessions, this is a practical function. The duels against friends are also among the highlights for me. Competing with self-built decks, trying new strategies and just having fun is exactly what I want from Yu-Gi-Oh! Here not always the strongest deck has to win. Grinden can sometimes be easier and sometimes much more difficult. Sometimes you have enough Gems together quickly to build a new deck. Other times, the search for the required cards unnecessarily lengthens. This is especially annoying when I have a new ceiling idea and would like to start immediately. In my opinion, anyone who wants to play a certain deck quickly can hardly avoid thinking about real money. Of course, Duel Links can be played for free, but there is a big difference between playing for free and building a desired deck. This can take away the motivation to try something new at all. Another criticism is the rankings. Up to a certain point you can keep up with your own ideas and unusual decks. At some point, however, it will be difficult to get ahead without a competitive meta-deck. Those who want to play their favorite cards or test out fancy strategies quickly reach their limits. I think it’s a pity that some of the creativity that makes the deck building so interesting is lost. Nevertheless, Duel Links offers enough reasons to turn on again and again. The fast duels, the many cards and the opportunity to try different decks make it rarely boring. Especially with friends, the game unfolds its full potential, because you do not have to constantly follow the current meta. My conclusion: Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links has a strong foundation but suffers from its progression system and rankings. Grinting for new cards can be tedious, and those who want to quickly build a desired deck are tempted to spend money. At the same time, the deck construction, the nostalgia and the uncomplicated duels with friends make the game worthwhile for me again and again. I would like new decks to be more accessible and more freedom to play your own strategies in the rankings. Until then, Duel Links remains a game with highs and lows for me, which I like to start again and again despite its weaknesses.

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