Digital card games are continually thriving and evolving while the classics still scratch your card-casting itch.
PC card games don’t rank at the top of the Twitch’s most-watched list, but that isn’t stopping players from enjoying a wide variety of playable options. A classic PC card game like Slay the Spire, a single-player rogue-like game that focuses on deck-building, is still the best old-school PC card game available while Shadowverse taps into the world of anime with similar mechanics and gameplay feels to Hearthstone.
The best PC card games are free-to-play, although some have a better monetization system set up over others when it comes to expanding your collection library. From cracking packs to directly purchasing the cards you want in your meta deck, here are the best PC card games players should check out.
Legends of Runeterra
Legends of Runeterra is a free-to-play card game developed by Riot Games that was released in April 2020 that is also available on mobile. Since its launch, LoR has continually challenged the norms typically associated with the best PC card games. The digital card game’s monetization system is the best overall, rewarding players via free regional battle passes, weekly chest rewards based on XP, and the option to purchase cards directly by completely doing away with cracking packs.
The animation within LoR is intense and players will never get tired of repeating voice lines from classic League champions. And the gameplay mechanics are full of complexities that aren’t hard to learn.
Casting spells within LoR works a little bit differently from other games, allowing you to save up to three unused mana which can then be used on spells but not on creatures. And the spell system features three speeds of spells— Fast, Slow, and Burst—providing players with a number of different lines of gameplay each round.
There are also multiple playing options within LoR to hit every type of PC card-gaming itch. Players can challenge friends or hit the ranked ladder. But if the meta isn’t up to par, there’s always Expeditions, a unique version of Draft. And for single-player storyline options, there’s the Path to Champions, hitting those Slay the Spire feels.
Magic: The Gathering Arena
Magic: The Gathering is widely considered to be the grandfather of modern card-based duel games, available on PC and mobile. Wizards of the Coast invented the iconic MTG competitive format which has captivated the imagination and strategic sensibilities of millions of players since it first hit the shelves all the way back in 1993.
The basic concept behind MTG is that you are engaged in a wizard’s duel with your opponent. It is one of the most strategically rich games ever invented and its popularity spawned the creation of many of the other card games on this list. Cracking packs for cards is the backbone of the MTG Arena monetization system. But free-to-play players can still have fun competing in non-ranked modes.
And when it comes to mode options, MTG Arena has a ton to choose from. There are Live modes like Alchemy and Historic that tap into eternal and digital-only formats, along with the classic Standard Constructed and Limited modes.
Hearthstone
Hearthstone is a dueling card game that is available to play on mobile devices and PC. It was developed by Blizzard Entertainment and released back in 2014. The gameplay in Hearthstone is similar to MTG or LoR, with players drawing cards from a prebuilt deck and playing those cards using a mana pool which increases as the game goes on. The first player to exhaust the enemy health pool wins the match.
Monetization within Hearthstone is slightly better than MTG Arena but not as good as LoR. Upon cards getting nerfed or rotating out of the meta, players have the option to turn those cards into Dust, using that Dust to purchase the cards they want.
Players can compete via multiple modes, from ranked to Tavern Brawl. And the PC card game is continually updated with new sets.
Faeria
Using grid-based tactical movement, Faeria sets itself apart from the other best PC card games. Unlike the other digital card games, it’s not free-to-play but is still worth the $20 price tag. Created in 2017 by Agrakam Entertainment SA, Faeria still has updates and new DLC expansions available for an additional $10.
Animation within Faeria is similar to Hearthstone, but the strategy aspects outdo the classic digital card game. The game is also new-player friendly, despite having been available for several years. The grid-based board creates unique strategies that other card games don’t have, affecting how a player attacks and defends.
Building a deck is easy within Faeria thanks to the Codex system. The system is friendly to new players and has a ton of flexibility, separating out casual competitors from the die-hards.
Griftlands
Created by Klei Entertainment, Griftlands is a deck-building, rogue-like digital card game that launched in June 2021. It’s not a free-to-play game, costing around $20, but Griftlands is worth the price tag as it combines RPG mechanics like turn-based actions, and a solid storyline—similar to Slay the Spire.
The animation within Griftlands is cartoonish and clean, and there is a total of three campaigns and three main characters. Cards are earned as you progress, along with the plot of the story. Strategy plays a major role, despite following a storyline, allowing players to repeat a campaign with different results.
In addition to turn-based action fights, players are also required to negotiate with cards, adding another layer of strategy into the best PC card game. Choices you make in Griftlands matter and each campaign can be completed in around three to four hours of gameplay.
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