I’ve never really been one for card games, both in and out of video games.
The odd game of Uno at Christmas is about my limit.
For many, Balatro has been a revelation this year, turning poker hands into a tense roguelike.
It wasn’t until its mobile release in September, though, that it truly clicked for me.
ThenPokemon TCG Pocketswooped in at just the right time.
Which Wonder Pick placement do I select?
And from the moment I first played it, I knew that was it for me.
Yet none of these grabbed me in the way Queen’s Blood did.
Perhaps, with Rebirth being a remake, its core plot was less central to my enjoyment.
I was keen, in short, to play Queen’s Blood.
It’s a simple enough premise.
I needed to collect them all, to become the very best, like no one ever was.
And not a Ponyta in sight.
Early games were fun but shallow and I easily won.
It’s like Marvel Snap with Final Fantasy characters.
And when destroy cards were introduced, I needed to carefully choose targets to maximise power.
I spent almost as much time pondering Queen’s Blood puzzle strategies as I did the game’sconvoluted conclusion.
Where Queen’s Blood really excels, though, is in fleshing out the world.
That, really, is what the Remake trilogy has been all about.
It’s so bizarre, but so in-keeping with the weird spirit and tonal shifts of the original game.
Of all Rebirth’s myriad minigames, it’s Queen’s Blood I keep coming back to.
