Deckbuilding roguelikes include plenty of cool secrets, surprises, and unexpected ways to get ahead. Whether it’s a small quality-of-life feature or a game-changing mechanic, this genre packs in plenty of things to keep players oohing and ahhing over their screens. The same is true inGwent: Rogue Mage.
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Unlike some other games inThe Witcherfranchise,Rogue Magedoesn’t do much hand-holding when it comes to the tutorial and game mechanics. One upside to this lack of direction is there are plenty of little secrets and surprises waiting for players if they know where to look. Here are some of the most interesting and exciting things that many players don’t know can be done in the game.
9Watch Cinematics Anytime
Rogue Mageis a deckbuilding roguelike, notan immersive RPG likeThe Witcher 3,but that doesn’t mean the game has no story to tell. As they journey through the game, players are treated to various cinematics detailing Alzur’s ongoing exploits as he attempts to create the first Witcher.
The player doesn’t have to complete the entire campaign again just to see a favorite moment or pick up a passing bit of lore, however:the game’s cutscenes are available for viewing at any time from the main menu.Not having to trek through a heap of battles just to see a particular moment is fantastic, and it’s the kind of feature that will only get better if additional story content is added later.
8Pass Without Playing A Card
Passing instead of playing may seem dull, but it can be strategically important, letting players hold onto particular cards for just the right moment instead of playing them at the wrong time simply because they’re in hand.
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Strangely, the ability to pass without playing a card is disabled by default, butthe player can reactivate it by going to settings.Though it’s a small change, it’s an exciting one for players looking to squeeze every bit of tactical depth that they can from the game, and given that it’s buried in the settings menu, it’s the kind of trick that’s easily overlooked.
7Gamble With Energy
Energy is a precious resource, and there’s more than one way to use it. During certain events, the player is offered the opportunity to spend energy for the chance to receive an unknown treasure. The chance of success is low, but if the player fails to receive a reward, they can continue to spend energy for better odds of getting a prize.
Gambling with energy in this way isn’t a reliable strategy, butif it works the player winsa potentially game-changing item,which is always nice inThe Witcherfranchise. Of course, if RNG doesn’t pay out and the player gets greedy, this is an easy way to waste a ton of energy with little or nothing to show for it. No reward without risk, as they say.
6Compete On The Leaderboard
Roguelikes and collectible card games are both known for bringing out the competitive side of their players. Whether it’s trying to beat one’s own time, get to a higher level than before, or slay a boss, there are plenty of ways to challenge oneself.
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Gwent: Rogue Magemakes it easy for those with a competitive streak:the game includes fully fleshed-out leaderboards where the player can compare their score with that of others,trying out new deck combinations and routes in order to climb ever higher in the ranks and compete alongside the best of the best for bragging rights.
5Spend Energy To Reroll Cards
It’s only fitting for a game calledRogue Mageto put an emphasis on magic, and spells are some ofthe most potent and flexible cards in the player’s deck,often making the difference between an overwhelming defeat and a narrow victory. Spells require energy to cast, but that isn’t the only thing energy is good for.
Whenever the player is offered a selection of cards to choose from to add to their deck,the player may spend energy to reroll the card selection.Entire runs in roguelikes can be made or broken by the addition of a single card, so being able to use energy to refute bad RNG and come a little closer to crafting one’s dream deck is amazing.
4Change Potions
At the beginning of the game, the player is given a potion called the Archmage’s Flask which grants an additional 25 energy at the start of the run. That’s a sizable buff that makes it much easier to cast spells, butonce the player reaches level 15 they have the opportunity to replace their Archmage’s Flask with another potion,the Confiscated Oils, which allows the player to mulligan three additional times.
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As the player levels up they unlock more and more options, and the choice of potion can influence everything about a player’s run, from what cards they choose to what events they seek out and what battles they avoid. Grinding levels doesn’t take long inRogue Mage,so having new potions locked behind levels feels like a tasty reward rather than an onerous burden.
3Achievement Hunt
Achievements are nothing new in gaming, but it’s nice to seeRogue Mageoffer a healthy variety of them for players to chase. Whether one is a completionist bent on getting 100% on everything or a casual player who just plays however they feel like and lets the achievements come as they may, it’s nice to see a steady stream of notifications informing the player of the progress they’re making.
Roguelikes and deckbuilding gamesare both all about variation and diversity, andachievements feed into this idea by teasing the player into deviating from their usual strategyin the name of snagging an elusive reward. Anyone can win a battle, but winning one without spending energy or having a unit with 100 or more power requires an additional element of strategy (or a bit of luck), and it always feels good to see the game take notice.
2Change Your Key Card
In addition to the more commonplace cards in the deck, players gain access to unique and powerful cards known as key cards. The player may only bring a single key card with them into the run, and their effects are strong enough thatit’s often wise to build the entire deck around that one cardand its capabilities.
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For fans of Commander and similar formats in other games, placing a unique hero in charge of an army of minions, the addition of key cards is a brilliant and welcome twist on the usualGwentformat. Key cards are matched to the theme of each deck, ensuring that the player has freedom and flexibility while still staying true to what makes each deck unique and powerful.
1Enable Archmage Mode
Before beginning a run the player has the option of enabling Archmage Mode. This mode disables leaderboard eligibility, but in turn, it offers the player 10 additional Energy at the start of each battle, increasing that number by 2 whenever a run ends in defeat. The best thing that anydeckbuilding roguelikecan have is variety because that’s where the potential for unique strategies, unexpected synergies, and a ton of fun comes from.
Archmage Mode won’t be for competitive purists who are only interested in being number one, but for everyone else,it adds yet another fun, optional twist on the core gameplay.If anything is going to help keepGwent: Rogue Magefresh, it’s ideas like this one.
Gwent: Rogue Mageis available for PC, Android, and iOS.
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