There are many deck building games currently on the market, and every day a new one comes out. But Wildfrost has just been released, perhaps the most promising and interesting of this genre. Distributed by Chucklefish, developed by Deadpan Games and with art by Gaziter, the game arrived at Steam and Nintendo Switch today, April 12th.
The game manages to clash with several heavyweights of the genre, bringing several already known characteristics mixed with the roguelike genre, and with its own and interesting identity. Without further ado, on to our review of Wildfrost.
VUk1X3QtMUlpMjg=
It's even complicated to say how much Wildfrost got me, because, until a while ago, deck building games didn't call my attention, but it was after Stacklands, Inscryption and Marvel Snap that I started to pay more attention to the genre.
In Wildfrost you command a group tasked with banishing eternal winter, having to control a group made up of villagers from tribes hit by blizzards and bitter cold. You embark on this perilous journey through the icy mountains alongside your loyal band of charming companions and powerful elemental items, in order to recover the world from this mysterious eternal winter. It will take determination, sharp strategy and skills to reach the Temple of the Sun and banish the Wildfrost once and for all!
Wildfrost At first sight, it already attracts attention with its incredible animations and sound effects, a point that I will talk about right away, as it stands out how well this game was crafted in the artistic part. Allied with the drawings of the artist Gaziter and the detailed animations, the game is a constant delight for the most detail-oriented. You will be enchanted by this frozen world from the minimalist map to the amulets swinging independently on each card. The well-fitted sounds and even if sometimes repetitive, are well-crafted and fun. All generating an incredible combination that packs the game.
You start the game having to choose between three leaders of different tribes, from there you'll face different enemies using a wide variety of elemental skills. Every card, whether companion, item, or ability, is infused with these abilities. From powers that increase attack, decrease damage, improve defense, reduce countdown, there are healing, barrage, charm, poisoning and even nullifying skills. Each card will have different effects, and you can find new ones along the way to form the perfect deck. It doesn't hurt to remember that the enemies will also have a wide range of abilities, and will be able to make interesting and unforeseen combinations to hinder your advance.
During battles you have six slots available on the screen, where each one can be filled with an allied card to face enemies that will also have six slots. You can move your cards around the slots at will, moving the most damaged cards back to protect them or even removing them from play. Also available on the side is the bell that reshuffles your available cards in your hand, giving you new chances and opportunities for attacks, but you have a limited number of rings and you should keep an eye out to not be unable to use the bell.
The map as I said, is very minimalist but at the same time interesting. With each successful move, you advance a few squares, being almost always presented with two routes, in which you will go through places that release new cards and frozen companions, through the store, the vending machine (which gives you amulets to improve the cards) and even to Monchi, a giant mammoth that eliminates (eating) the cards you no longer want in your deck.
Cards can be improved using amulets bought at the store or won at vending machines found along the way. They unlock new abilities or reinforce what the card already has, and there's apparently no limit to the number of charms you can use, so you can constantly evolve your favorite cards.
Another strong point present in Wildfrost is its interesting turn counting system, each card has its own, so you'll have to stay tuned because both yours and the enemies will attack as soon as your own count ends, making the match very dynamic and unexpected. Learning to keep an eye on each card count will be critical to success.
The game also has a list of achievements to achieve, perhaps the point that you should worry about accomplishing, since when they are achieved they will release improvements to the game, from new constructions in your village that release advantages, new cards, new tribes and also new amulets that can be found in your matches. Remember I talked about the roguelike issue of the game? Being defeated will be constant, and it can even be frustrating at times, when new enemies appear and catch you unprepared, but unlocking the achievements can give you advantages for the next match that you didn't have and give you the chance to advance.
And even if you've already finished the game's main story, you'll be able to continue playing in matches and daily challenges that raise the difficulty to the extreme, making you face somewhat cruel challenges in battle.
Wildfrost manages to make a delicious mix of elements, which makes it one of the most interesting approaches to the roguelike genre and building card decks. Certainly an addictive and fun game that will entertain you for hundreds of hours.
Is the game perfect? NO. The initial difficulty can put many people off, the sounds as I said, are a bit repetitive but also don't leave anything to be desired. I recommend giving it a go, and even if you find it difficult, trying to reach the objectives of the achievements to unlock perks that can improve your next games.
For me this is certainly one of the best indie games of 2023! And it's highly recommended!
SteamaHR0cHM6Ly9zdG9yZS5zdGVhbXBvd2VyZWQuY29tL3dpZGdldC8xODExOTkw
Programmer, Game Developer, Indie Games, Arts and Anime enthusiast.
I created the site as a hobby to post interesting and random content that I see around.
