- iOS, Android, PC/Mac
Mystic Vale, the transparent card-building board game from Nomad Games and AEG, arrived for PC/Mac back in January and has been raking in rave reviews over on Steam. Due to my ongoing gaming malaise, I haven’t yet given it a go instead opting to wait for the mobile version. Today we learned that we won’t have to wait much longer to do just that. Mystic Vale is headed to iOS and Android on June 6th.
If you’re not familiar with Mystic Vale, it’s rather unique. Instead of building a deck, you use transparent sleeves to upgrade and build entirely new cards from scratch. Theme-wise, you’re playing as druid clans attempting to purge the Big Bad from your home. The cards act as your spells and whatnot as you build a tableau looking for the elusive Victory Point.
A curse has been placed on the Valley of Life. Hearing the spirits of nature cry out for aid, clans of druids have arrived, determined to use their blessings to heal the land and rescue the spirits. It will require courage and also caution, as the curse can overwhelm the careless who wield too much power.
Mystic Vale is a deck-building card game, in which players take on the role of druidic clans trying to cleanse the curse upon the land. Each turn, you play cards into your field to gain powerful advancements and useful vale cards. Use your power wisely, or decay will end your turn prematurely. Score the most victory points to win the game!
The iOS/Android version is already available for preorder on the App Store and Google Play. So, you could go preorder…I honestly don’t know why you would, though. I don’t think supplies are limited. Whatever.
In a cool move, we also know that the first expansion, Vale of Magic, is coming to the mobile version for free. Sweet. We’ll remind you of the release when they go live on June 6th.
- Mystic Vale for PC/Mac via Steam, $15
- Mystic Vale for iOS Universal, $5 (preorder)
- Mystic Vale for Android, $5 (preorder)
Hmmm…Nomad, the company that isn’t aware asynchronous exists?
Let me use Evolution as an analogy. You remember Evolution, right? It is a fairly well-regraded game, it was in development for years, it released a little over two months ago, and it has been blowing up our forum with the tournaments and challenges. Wait, scratch that last part.
I have no statistics or facts to back this up, but it seems like a forgotten game already. People here live Ascension, which I’m pretty sure predates the Commodore 64 at this point, yet does everything right and is, therefore, played. Race For The Galaxy gets plenty of play; Shards of Infinity seems pretty popular even though it isn’t actually even out yet.
So will Mystic Vale be competing for “best of the forgotten” or will it be competing with the mainstays? I have my hunches.
Looks like there’s a sign up for the iOS beta over on the main Mystic Vale steam page
Fully agreed on all counts - Evolution is well done, nice to look at, and a fun game in cardboard too. I’ll never understand the lack of async though - it’s not as if it’s a game that has interrupts or actions on the other player’s turn.
Haven’t played Mystic Vale but I just got an invite to the beta; sadly, my source says it’s also sync only.
Well I’m fairness, North Star has said they are working on asynchronous multiplayer, but as impatient as Evolution fans were for the game, I think everyone would have been better served had they even postponed the launch to include the feature. You only get one first impression, and all that. I’ll play a ton of it once it is updated, I’m sure, but will there be much of a community for it at that point? I have no idea.
Was waiting for this one and I just briefly tried the beta, completed tutorial and a first game.
The app is REALLY well done and glorious to look at, with a serene atmosphere that is very well suited to the druidic setting.
That said, lack of async is a huge bummer and I really don’t see why this shouldn’t be async.
Can’t see this getting any playtime, if if I can play async Shards all day long (not even mentioning I much prefer direct confrontation games than score chasers).
Pre ordered. I never pre order anything, but had some cred in account.
Async is the icing, but that said, a deck builder gets me every time.
Except that Legebdary one with online only requirements and terrible UI
Ugh. There are a few games, that because of set up/tear down or their rules actually work better digitally. Neuroshima Hex is one example. Legendary is a total pain to set up and take down and it would have been great digitally if it hadn’t been so terribly designed.
Oh man, June 6 is a long time away
I played more last week end.
Must say the game is gorgeous and it’s a really good game, even if a bit slow (last turns when you deck is ‘complete’ are great).
Lack of async is a real bummer tough.
And I can’t see any reason why it’s not async.
The theme is really strong and graphically it is a real threat.
TestFlight still available
https://testflight.apple.com/join/xOIq1ICy
Okay, the app is very well done.
The game seems well-thought out and is an interesting take on deck-builders.
But … but … I’m going to be that guy. How is it not just multiplayer solitaire? I seem to be building my efficiency engine while the other guys build theirs. Best engine wins, but no player interaction.
I hope I’m missing something. Or maybe the expansion adds something? Damnit, I want to attack the other guys’ fields!
Yup, I’m with you. After the car crash of smash up ux, this is very nicely put together. But as we are spoilt for choice for iOS games, why would I invest in a non async game, which I will rarely play? Shame
It’s out on iOS.
Whoops, forgot about this one. I’ll have to check it out.
Edit: It still says pre-order in the US.
I’d be willing to play some games.
The beta worked work … but I just don’t see how it isn’t double-handed solitaire. I hope I’m wrong.