Domain the Trading Card Game First Look
The TCG game that can finally challenge stale metas
At first I was going to do a review of the game as I’ve been playing it a lot since I signed up on Domain’s site. However, after thinking about it for a while, I figured this was massively unfair. Domain is still in beta test stages and is bound to have problems, especially if you’re playing it knowing you’re going to review it. I know myself well enough to know I’d be unfairly nitpick-y. So in the interests of fairness, I’ll do an early look and review the game only when it’s fully released.
So, what is Domain?
Domain is a new TCG that’s currently in development. It’s uniqueness comes from it’s chess-like moves of the cards around the playing board. Anyone who knows just the tiniest bit about trading card games knows that eventually they tend to get stale as the meta becomes predictable. Everyone is using the same cards and it becomes a chore to play rather than fun.
This is where Domain comes in.
Domain isn’t your typical “have certain cards that do certain things” or “meet certain requirements to win” game. The playing board that you place your cards on is liken to a chess board, with each tile representing a different element (but more on that later.)
So what’s the gameplay like then?
In Domain your main card (the king) goes on the board first and the subsequent cards are placed on the board depending on how they individually move. Some, like chess characters, can move horizontally or even freely. Where you place your card is vital as the opposing card may only be able to move vertically, leaving you safe to attack others on the board.
The choice of where to place your card is just as important as which card to use. This levels the playing field and means that the player with the best strategy, not the player with the best cards will win.
Elemental and special Tiles
The elemental tiles are called “terrains.” Each terrain adds a +5 attack to a card with the right effect, for example a fire based dragon will get +5 attack in the lava terrain. The only exception to this rule are the “Oasis” terrain (which adds +1hp back every time there is a turn change.) And the “crystal” terrain (which add +5 defence.)
You win the game when you defeat your opponent’s “king” card.
Overall thoughts
Like I said, this game is still in development. That doesn’t stop me from loving it though. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve stopped playing a TCG I love altogether simply because the metagame has become frustratingly stale. Domain is a breath of fresh air. There’s no good deck it’s all about how you use the cards you have. Some will be better than others but if you don’t use them carefully and plan every single move then there’s no guarantee you’ll win.
It keeps things fun and fresh. Whilst I did struggle getting used to the mechanics at first, once I had I was hooked. I was playing game after game and, whilst I found myself making dumb moves sometimes, and subsequently getting my backside handed to me I still had fun. I learned new strategies whilst I played and it was never a chore or boring.
Combine that with the fact that Domain is planning on implementing a location gaming based system. Basically meaning that if you play another player in your local coffee shop for example you will then claim that territory and have to defend it from other challengers. This sounds very promising and could make an already fantastic game a contender as one of the best.
Unfair as it may be to give a score at the moment. From the simple playing I’ve done of the early access release, this is a solid 9/10 game. It’s fresh, exciting and every single match is different even if you play the same person with the same cards.
I look forward to it’s full release. This is one to keep a keen eye on TCG fans!
You can sign up to Domain’s kickstarter to be notified when the game releases here.
