Incredibly polished card game with a unique gameplay
Artifact, Valve’s foray into the digital card game world, has undergone a significant transformation with the introduction of Artifact Foundry alongside Artifact Classic. These two distinct experiences offer players a choice between the traditional, strategy-rich gameplay of the original and a more streamlined, accessible version tailored to new players and veterans alike.
With links to the Dota 2 universe, Artifact also offers a more in-depth peek into the action franchise’s expansive lore. With this, though, it can be a bit difficult to pick up on certain story cues if you haven’t played any of the Dota titles beforehand.
A stunning visual experience
Just by looking at its designs, it’s clear that Artifact has had a lot of thought put into it. This game has exquisite art. One look at this game’s concept art would be enough to convince you of its ambition in terms of worldbuilding and aesthetics. All of the 3D models have been meticulously crafted with tremendous amounts of details. The actual game interface has a lot of decorative elements on them, but they’re still rendered clearly and are very easy to understand.
The cards themselves are magnificent works. Their back has a minimalist black and gold color scheme with a triangle at the center, and at the front, the artwork on the cards are gorgeous and highly detailed. This game has a lot of strengths and weaknesses, but its aesthetic is definitely one of its strengths. Its high-quality 3D visuals create an even more immersive game experience that keeps players engaged all throughout.
Complex, strategy-based gameplay
For the most part, Artifact’s mechanics are similar to its peers. Your objective is to use your deck of cards to defeat your opponent. There are several types of cards, with each type color-coded to be easily distinguishable as well as to represent their special abilities. Players who are familiar with RPG class systems featuring tanks, mages, and merchants among others won’t have any difficulty adapting to Artifact's card system.
What makes the game unique is its three-lane playing field. Each lane has its own enemies, and players must defeat two out of the three lanes to win. Players only use one hand for all three lanes, so they must think hard about which lane to use each card to make them more effective. Despite being free-to-play, though, the game still relies heavily on in-game purchases. This can create a significant power imbalance, as players who invest more money can gain substantial advantages.
Engaging but can be frustrating at times
Artifact is a visually stunning and strategically complex card game that offers both classic and streamlined experiences. Tied to the rich lore of the Dota 2 universe, it captivates with its meticulous design and immersive gameplay. However, new players can find the story cues challenging without prior knowledge, and the in-game purchase reliance can be a drawback. Despite these issues, it remains a remarkable addition to the digital card game genre.
