Marvel Snap recently revealed some balance changes, which include both buffs and nerfs. Some of the changes include power buffs for Grand Master, Emperor Hulking, and more. This article will explain all the balance changes in Marvel Snap.

List of Marvel Snap balance changes in October 2024

• Zabu: Before, it was a 2-cost, 3-power card that lowered the cost of your 4-cost cards by one until the end of the next turn. Now, it's been adjusted to a 1-cost, 2-power card that gives each 4-cost card in your deck a permanent -1 cost.
• Hellcow: Hellcow used to be a 4-cost, 6-power card that made you discard two cards from your hand when you activated it. Now, it’s 4-cost, 7-power, and you only have to discard one card.
• Widow's Kiss (White Widow): Widow’s Kiss used to have 0 power with an Ongoing ability that made it -3 power unless your side of the location was full. Now, it’s sitting at -4 power, and instead of just disabling the ability, it’ll get destroyed when your side of the location is full.
• Viper: Viper used to be a 3-cost, 5-power card that would let you switch one of your other cards with the lowest power to the opponent's side. Now, it’s dropped to 3-cost and 4-power.
• Kingpin, Scream, and Fisk Tower: They used to affect unrevealed cards, but now that’s no longer the case.
• Scream: Scream used to be a 2-cost, 2-power card that stole two power from an enemy card whenever it moved, but now it’s a 2-cost, 3-power card.
• Grand Master: Grand Master used to be a 2-power card, which is now a 3-power card of the same cost.
• Emperor Hulkling: Emperor Hulking is increased in power by one and is now an 11-power card.
• Okoye: Just like Grand Master and Emperor Hulking, Okoye’s power is increased to three from two.

The post Marve??l Snap balance changes (October 2024): All buffs and nerfs, explained appeared first on Destructoid.

If you want to experience free games on Steam, there's, thankfully, a lot that the store has to offer. You can gallivant with your friends on hostile planets in PlanetSide 2 or message your love interest friend in a pseudo-AOL Messenger in Emily is Away.

The best free games on Steam offer a ton of content and have as few restrictions as possible. These 20 titles certainly do that in spades. The monthly active users are based on Steam Charts' stats from the past 30 days.

Apex Legends

• Steam release date: November 4, 2020
• Publisher: EA
• Monthly active players: 104,039

One of the best battle royales in the market right now is Apex Legends. It provides the high-precision gunplay from Titanfall 2 and brings it into the competitive battle royale space. Sliding down hills and using each hero's powers is satisfying to perform in the game. There will be many intense moments as you contend against opposing teams, and the game provides many opportunities to fail or succeed. The free-to-play model is a little on the expensive side if you want cosmetics and more characters, but playing from the base roster is also entertaining to start Apex Legends with.

Brawlhalla

• Steam release date: October 17, 2017
• Publisher: Ubisoft
• Monthly active players: 10,369

If you're annoyed you can't play Super Smash Bros. on PC, check out Brawlhalla. It features a smooth platform fighter experience that plays great online. It also has a vibrant cast of characters to choose from. Many will be locked beh??ind payments or in-game progression, but there is a regularly updated free? rotation of characters to choose from. One of the game's unique strategic elements is switching two weapons available to each player. Each weapon's move set is radically different, and you'll need to decide which option best suits the situation.

The Finals

• Steam release date: December 3, 2023
• Publisher: Embark Studios
• Monthly active players: 14,242

Destructible environments, participating in a game show, and great gunpl??ay all combine into The Finals, one of the latest multiplayer hits on Steam. You’re taking a cash prize and trying to transport it to a capture area. On the way, you’ll have to fend off two other teams of three. ??With an exciting vertical element to each map, The Finals manages to stand out among its FPS competition. Check this game out when you can! Oh, and it’s crossplay ??too! 

My Hero Ultra Rumble

• Steam release date: September 28, 2023
• Publisher: Bandai Namco
• Monthly active players: 1,494

Anime fans, rejoice! My Hero Ultra Rumble is a neat battle royale? take on the beloved anime series. Each hero or villain has their own quirks that change the battle. Deku can pick up allies and run fast to get away from enemies. Meanwhile, Cementoss creates stone walls to protect his team and keep the enemy team distrac??ted. If you don’t want to shoot down enemies in Call of Duty Warzone or Fortnite, My Hero Ultra Rumble offers a refreshing take on the genre. 

Emily is Away

• Steam release date: November 20, 2015
• Publisher: Kyle Seeley
• Monthly active players: 11

Emily is Away is a nostalgic journey back into the Windows XP era of communication. ??There was no Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram. Instead, you used to chat on AOL Instant Messenger. This unique storytelling device isn't just a gimmick, however. There's a beautifully told narrative about two friends who have grown apart from each other since high school and are trying to reconnect. Despite there being no voice acting, all the emotional beats are there, as you await Emily's response. Try this one-hour game out when you can. It's one of the best free games on Steam.

Guild Wars 2

• Steam release date: August 23, 2022
• Publisher: NCSoft
• Monthly active players: 3,367

Can't afford Final Fantasy XIV Online or don't want to bother with the Battle.net client on PC for World of Warcraft? Guild Wars 2 is a good third option for an MMO. You can play the entirety of the engaging core campaign for free. However, there are restrictions you should keep in mind, like locked content until you reach a certain level. Despite that one fault, Guild Wars 2 offers a stunning world enriched wi?th entert??aining MMORPG gameplay.

Farlight 84

• Steam release date: September 21, 2023
• Publisher: Farlight Games
• Monthly active players: 1,817

Tired of Fortnite and want something new? Farlight 84 may be your antidote. It blends the art style of Epic Games�battle royale and mixes it with the ability-based system of Apex Legends. The result is a solid shooter that impresses new fa??ns of the game and isn’t even out of Early Access yet. The weapons feel heavy and powerful, and the overall environments look pleasing to the ??eye. Just turn off the voice acting; it’s pretty bad!

Disney Speedstorm

• Steam release date: April 18, 2023
• Publisher: Gameloft
• Monthly active players: 262

Want a fun Mario Kart-like g??ame without having to resort to emulation? Disney Speedstorm is a great free-to-play substitute. The tracks are immaculately designed and based on th??e films we know and love like Lilo & Stitch, Aladdin, and Pirates of the Caribbean. You’ll be avoiding pillars of fire within the Cave of Wonders and giant tentacles from sea monsters in Port Royal. While the items are disappointingly generic for a Disney game like this, there is a neat alternate use for most of them by holding ??down the button. For example, with a boost (mushroom), you can hold it to get three smaller bursts of speed rather than just one. Read my review for more information.

Marvel Snap

• Steam release date: August 22, 2023
• Publisher: Nuverse
• Monthly active players: 4,723

Everyone knows and loves the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so a card game based on the property could be a cheap cash-in. Fortunately, Marvel Snap is a cherished title for fans of card games, and it's free to play. "At work and at home, I just can’t put it down," said CJ Andriessen in his review. "With its structure and speed, it doesn’t feel as tactical as some of the other card games I’ve played, but it finds a way to be satisfying in its brevity." Each match in Marvel Snap also only lasts for three or so minutes, as opposed to Hearthstone, making this quick and easy to play.

Path of Exile

• Steam release date: October 23, 2013
• Publisher: Grinding Gear Games
• Monthly active players: 23,219

Path of Exile, despite it being a free Steam game, is an excellent alternative to the Diablo series if you crave more ARPG goodness. It features a tonne of passives to unlock through the huge skill tree system. It also includes plenty of classes, including the Duelist, Marauder, Ranger, Scion, Shadow, Templar, and Witch. Path of Exile will offer hours upon hours of content for the low, low?? price of $0, and it also has PvP modes like tournaments and Captur??e The Flag.

Team Fortress 2

• Steam release date: October 10, 2007
• Publisher: Valve
• Monthly active players: 52,155

A cherished multiplayer game for many Team Fortress 2 is an absolute classic. This team-based shooter has you playing different roles. One can be the Heavy, dealing a lot of damage with his mini-gun. Another player can send out Sentries and Teleporters throughout the map as the Engineer. There are many options available, so you can find the right playstyle. Despite the game being over a decade old, it still holds up visually with a cartoony art style. Give it a go if you haven't alre?ady.

The Sims 4

• Steam release date: September 2, 2014
• Publisher: EA
• Monthly active players: 26,585

Living out your dreams as a Sim doesn't necessarily sound fun, but The Sims 4 somehow sucks you in for many hours at a time. You're building your own house, family, and wealth in the game which will feel rewarding. You also grow relationships with other sims by hanging out with them and performing a variety of activities in the community. All of this is now free to play on Steam, so go ahead and download The Sims 4, if you want a chill simulation game to play.

Warframe

• Steam release date: March 25, 2013
• Publisher: Digital Extremes
• Monthly active players: 45,873

It's been a decade, but Warframe still pulls in players today. This game i??s extremely fast with po??werful guns and delightful swordplay. It's been supported thoroughly by developer Digital Extremes. The game added an open world, and there is spaceship warfare to be had. The art style is also unabashedly strange as it embellishes its sci-fi genre with pride.

Omega Strikers

• Steam release date: September 16, 2022
• Publisher: Odyssey Interactive
• Monthly active players: 375

The precision of the MOBA gameplay of League mixed ?with the sport of soccer doesn’t sound like a great mix, but Omega Strikers certainly proved me wrong. Each character has their own skills to master while you’re trying to score a go??al. You can even take out your foes with your abilities by striking them out of the arena. The graphics are gorgeous, the concept really comes through, and the head-bump-worthy music will keep your heart racing. Check this game out!

Splitgate

• Steam release date: May 24, 2019
• Publisher: 1047 Games
• Monthly active players: 212

If you thought Halo Infinite’s multiplayer was disappointing, give Splitgate a go. This arena shooter offers cool weapons to control and a unique mechanic that lets you use portals to shoot through or teleport with. In my opinion, the ??maps are far more interesting than their Xbox-published counterpart. There are many modes to choose from as well, and you can create Custom Lobbies with all manner o?f rules available, including Big-Head mode.

DC Universe Online

• Steam release date: November 2, 2011
• Publisher: Daybreak Game Company
• Monthly active players: 361

We've all wanted to step into the shoes of Batman and Superman, and you can get that power fantasy by creating your own hero or villain in DC Universe Online. Behind it is over a decade of content with plenty of DC stories and experiences to encounter in this free-to-play MMO. Some of the quests are written by DC comic legends Geoff Johns and Marv Wolfman. Unlike others of its genre, the combat's fast and revolves around your choice of superpower. The game might be 13 years old, but it's still getting Very Positive reviews on Steam to this day.

PlanetSide 2

• Steam release date: November 20, 2012
• Publisher: Daybreak Game Company
• Monthly active players: 667

PlanetSide 2 is a massive FPS that spans across wide environments and many players against each other. It's not just about capturing points on a map like the Battlefield series. Instead, Daybreak Game Studios says "The core gameplay of PlanetSide 2 is about holding crucial territories and controlling resources." It also says you'll have to work "strategically as a team to secure tactical positions has long-lasting effects that can shift the tide of battle." There are six different classes to master as well as you go to war in PlanetSide 2.

Super Animal Royale

• Steam release date: August 26, 2021
• Publisher: Pixile
• Monthly active players: 578

Want a fresh spin on the battle royale genre? Well, you can play this cute take on it as you play as animals picking up weapons and trying to be the last remaining. Super Animal Royale features unique 2D bird's eye view angle on the action. The action gets wild with bombs of different types, grenades, and dart guns, in addition to the regular guns you'd expect like a shotgun or SMG. You have a fun, slightly less intense night with Super Animal Royale than the likes of Apex Legends, wh?ich needs precision in a reflex-based first person-shooter.

Dark & Darker

• Steam release date: June 7, 2024
• Publisher: IRONMACE
• Monthly active players: 17,458

Those who like sickeningly hard games will find comfort in Dark & Darker. In a D&D-like dungeon, you’re exploring an ancient citadel thwart with many dangers. You’ll be taking on tough monsters and making your way through the depths of this citadel to get the treasure you’re seeing. You can play as a barbarian, a ranger, and a bard in a three-person squad as you turn off lights to get away from enemy detection and utilize magic to gain the upper hand. The game is currently in early access, but it has a Mostly Positive score on Steam right now.

MultiVersus

• Steam release date: July 19, 2022
• Publisher: WB Games
• Monthly active players: 1,735

After disappearing for almost a year, MultiVersus has re??turned stronger than ever with new characters like The Powerpuff Girls and Beetlejuice taking on the likes of Bugs Bunny and Superman. The Smash-like platform fighter is thrilling with spectacular special mo??ves, funny voice lines, and an overall polished product. Some of the new stages like the Warner Bros Water Tower are also bright, beautiful, and fun to play on. All of the action is cross-play between all of its available systems, so you can play with your pals on consoles.

Previous entries:

• Smite
• Halo Infinite multiplayer
• The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog
• Goose Goose Duck
• DOTA 2
• Star Wars: The Old Republic

The post 20 best free games on Steam right now appeared first on Destructoid.

Many mobile games offer hundreds and even thousands of hours of game time without requiring players to spend a dime on it, unless they want to. The 10 best free mobile games players can play right now in 2024 on Android and iOS devices offer content, quality, and worlds worth experiencing without the necessity to pay to ??enjoy them.

With a focus on games across various genres and styles, these are the 10 best free mobile games worth you?r attention in 202?4.

Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact shows the true potential of mobile gaming in 2024 with its continuous updates that improve and expand upon the massive world of Teyvat. There is always a new character to collect, region to explore, and e??vents to partake in. And the best part is most of this is totally free to pursue. The gameplay feels a step above most mobile games, with each playable character having unique powers and the gorgeous cel-shaded, anime-style world.

Pokémon Go

Many years after its unmatched released, Pokémon Go is still going strong with new seasons and frequent releases of new Pokémon to collect. ??The formula remains the same of walking around the real world to find, catch, and evolve Pokémon. However, raids, various limited-time events, new shiny Pokémon, and more mean this is the best time to check out this game.

Among Us

There is still nothing quite like the mobile game phenomenon that is Among Us. The eternal battle b??etween the crew mates and completing their tasks versus the shadowy imposters is a simple but timeless formula. Whether it is investigating to figure out who the killers are or trying your best to cover your bloody tracks, this is one of the best mobile multiplayer experiences available today.

Marvel Snap

Marvel Snap blends together two of the most compelling ideas for a mobile game: Marvel superheroe??s and card-battling. Each match only lasts a few minutes with some of the fastest pacing in the genre, which ensures ther?e is the right mix of challenge and excitement. It is just accessible enough, too, to welcome anyone even if you've never played a card game like this before.

Honkai: Star Rail

The other main free mobile game from HoYoVerse is certainly worth a look, even if you aren’t into Genshin Impact. While the style and characters feel quite similar, Honkai: Star Rail trades whimsical fantasy for widespread galactic exploration. In addition, the strategic turn-based RPG combat might be more appealin??g to those looking for a mobile game with depth but not nearly as demanding.

Roblox

No mobile game in 2024 carries the level of freedom and content as Roblox. Think of any genre or gameplay experience and Roblox likely has it with surprising quality at the same time. Classic games like Murder Mystery 2 let players sus out and defeat the murderer alongside games like Natural Disaster Survival tasks players with staying alive amidst tsunamis and wildfires. There are also newer Roblox experiences these days, such as the incredible Ancient Egypt Roleplay where players start?? as a?? peasant and work their way up to pharaoh.

Brawl Stars

Brawl Stars is the latest creation from the makers of Clash of Clans. While it carries the lovable, colorful art style of the studio’s other games, this particular mobile title has a compelling blend of a top-down shooter with the gameplay hook of a MOBA. There are seven different game modes to choose from, including Team Deathmatch-like experiences,? objective-based modes, and more.

Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile

The beauty of Warzone Mobile is how it sacrifices almost nothing to bring a pure Call of Duty battle royale experience to Android and iOS. Out of all of the various first-person shooters on mobile, this is the one that feels the closest to console and PC FPS gameplay. Besides its connection to the?? other games in the franchise with shared progression, it also includes the return of the beloved V?erdansk battle royale map.

Wuthering Waves

The newest contender in the open-world mobile action RPG genre may look like Genshin Impact and carry the same gacha-style mechanics, but Wuthering Waves sets itself apart in terms of its gameplay. The combat centers around Echoes, which players collect from enemies around the world to unlock unique skills and temporary transformations. While it had a rough launch, its mov??ement and combat remain exceptional.

Old School RuneScape

Yes, an entire MMORPG exists on mobile for players to check out for free on Android and iOS. This is the exact same RuneScape fans may remember from their childhood but revamped to work with a mobile control scheme. Moving your char?acter around the world and engaging in the slow-paced but methodical combat feels great. Plus, it offers some of the best gameplay variety from its quests to PvP to just sitting around hacking at the same trees all day.

The post 10 best free mobile games to play in 2024 appeared first on Destructoid.

If you've never heard of Marvel's The Exiles, they are a band of heroes plucked from different realities, forced to band together to save the multiverse from all manner of threats. Now, some of the team's most famous members have arrived in Marvel Snap for May's Exiles-themed season, which runs until June 4, and we've compiled everything you?? need to know about it below.

Every new card in Marvel Snap - A Blink in Time

Blink

Blink has been a part of the Exiles ever since the team was first founded, and serves as their leader. A pink-skinned mutant, she has the power to open portals that can be used to teleport herself or others elsewhere. She is a 5-Cost, 7-Power card, with the following ability: "On Reveal: Swap the last card you played with a higher-Cost card from your deck." She is available exclusively via the ??season pass, but will be added as a Series 5 unlockable once the next season starts.

Nocturne

In another universe, Nightcrawler and the Scarlet Witch hooked up and had a daughter, named Nocturne. As such, she possesses her father's incredible athleticism and her mother's magical powers. She is a 3-Cost, 5-Power card, with the following ability: "You can move this once. When this moves, replace its location with a random new one." She is available as a Series 5 unlockable.

Sage

A mutant with a brain that's comparable to a supercomputer, Sage has the capacity to absorb and retain any information she learns, making her an incredible analyst. While she can fight, her time with the Exiles was mostly spent at their home base, acting as a liaison for the team. She is a 3-Cost, 0-Power card with the following ability: "On Reveal: +2 Power for each different Power among all other cards here." She wil?l be added as a Series 5 un??lockable from May 14.

Namora

Not to be confused with Namor's cousin in the main Marvel universe, this Namora is an alternate Namor from another dimension. She conquered her Earth and killed most of its superhero population before being forced into joining the Exiles. She is a 5-Cost, 6-Power card with the following ability: "On Reveal: Give +5 Power to each of your cards alone at another location." She will be ad?ded as a Series 5 unlockable f??rom May 21.

Sasquatch

In the main Marvel universe, Heather Hudson, also known as Vindicator, fights for Canadian superhero team Alpha Flight with a special battlesuit. This alternate version of her instead has the power to transform into the monstrous Sasquatch. She was still a member of Alpha Flight, but was later drafted into the Exiles, serving as both muscle and a medic. She is a 6-Cost, 10-Power card with the following ability: "Costs 1 less for each card you played last turn." She will be ad?ded as a Series 5 unlockable f??rom May 28.

Remember, each new card, besides Blink, will be available as a p??otential Spotlight Cache reward and via the Token Shop for 6,000 Tokens for a week after they're added to the game.

Every new location in Marvel Snap - A Blink in Time

This season has only added two new locations to Marvel Snap. The first is Panoptichron, an observatory that exists outside of time and space that became the Exiles' home base. It's ability reads, "Cards that didn't start in your deck get +2 Power." Sounds like the perfect spot to play cards created by Agent 13 or Maria Hill,? ?or ones you stole or copied from your opponent's deck using cards like Cable or White Queen.

The second location is Cancun, which looks to be a holiday resort. To match the relaxed vibes, it's ability reads, "Power here doesn't count toward winning the game." Since there's no point trying to take control of this location, you ??can use it to safely play any cards with zero or less Power, like The Hood, so you can reap the benefits of their abilities with little risk.

Every Spotlight Cache in Marvel Snap - A Blink in Time

Here is the list of Spotlight Caches that will be available during the A Blink in Time season for Marvel Snap, alongside their relea?se dates?, which characters will be included, and their new variants:

• May 7: Nocturne / Caiera / Selene
• May 14: Sage / Legion / The Living Tribunal
• May 21: Namora / Skarr / Black Knight
• May 28: Sasquatch / Ravonna Renslayer / Havok

Every new album in Marvel Snap - A Blink in Time

There will be three new albums released throughout Marvel Snap - A Blink in Time. The? first is already available and is another album themed around artist Dan Hipp, comprised of cards with movement-based abilities. Collect nine cards to unlock a unique Heimdall Shocked Emote and collect all 12 to unlock a Dan ?Hipp Werewolf by Night variant.

The second album drops on May 15 and consists of 12 cards featuring art by Rian Gonzalez. Collecting nine c?ards earns you a Gambit Swoon Emote, and completing the full set rewards you with a new Silk variant. The last album is also dedicated to Gonzalez, featuring her Chibi art. It releases on May 31 and rewards you with an Iron Lad Thinker Emote at nine cards collected and an Iron Lad variant for the whole set.

Everything else you need to know about Marvel Snap - A Blink in Time

As is the case with every season, there'll be a bunc??h of new variants of existing cards; too many to list in a single article. Some highlights, though, include an intimidating variant of Psylocke by artist Alex Garner, who is curren?tly a character designer at Marvel Studios Animation, and a Sabretooth card by Marvel artist Gerardo Sandoval. Both cards are exclusive to the season pass, alongside an Alberto Dal Lago variant of Blink. Meanwhile, the exclusive Medal Shop card in Conquest mode is a new Valkyrie variant by artist Rahzzah, depicting how the character looks in the MCU, where she's portrayed by Tessa Thompson.

Developer Second Dinner is also encouraging you link your Marvel Snap and Twitch accounts so you can earn further rewards by watching Marvel Snap streamers. Watch at least six hours of streams to unlock exclusive X-Men '97 variants of Bishop and Mister Sinister, which is appropriate considering these Twitch Drops will only be available until May 15, the same day as X-Men '97's final episode.

The post Marvel Snap – A Blink in Time: Every new card, location, and more appeared first on Destructoid.

Developer Second Dinner has resolved an issue in Marvel Snap related to the Spotlight Caches and laid out how it intends to compensate affecte?d playe?rs.

Earlier this week on April 9, Marvel Snap players noticed they weren't rec??eiving rewards from the Spotlight Caches when spending their Spotlight Keys, sparking concerns that said keys were wasted. Second Dinner responded by temporarily disabling the caches, but it thankfully hasn't taken the team long to figure out a solution a??nd fix the bug.

In an update on the Marvel Snap Discord channel, and handily shared by Marvel Snap News on X (formerly Twitter), Second Dinner has confirmed a fix? is already live, and also assured affected players will be fairly compensated. So, any Spotlight Ke??ys you lost to the bug should be refunded to you, letting you spend them again and earn cache rewards as usual.

Second Dinner also plans to gift 500 Gold to any and all players who logged into Marvel Snap ??while the bug was active. An exact date hasn't been given for when the Gold will be distributed, but it should drop into your inbox within the next week, provided you've been playing the game in the last few days. Although why Second Dinner has confined all this to a Discord post and not shared it anywhere else, n??ot even its own X account, is perplexing.

It's been a bit of a rough week for Marvel Snap. Aside from this admittedly short-lived bug, plenty of players were less than thrilled with the recent patch, which seriously nerfed Zabu, one of the most commonly used cards in the game. I've also noticed Marvel Snap hasn't been running particularly well on iOS since the patch, with several card animations not triggering, but Second Dinner (via another Discord only update shared by Marvel Snap News) has recommended iOS p?layers redownload the game's assets in the settings menu to get things back to normal.

The post Marvel Snap promi?ses compensation after fixing Spotlight Cache bug appeared first on Destructoid.

Marvel Snap players are i?n mourning over the recent patch, which drastically nerfed Zabu to the point where some say he's been "massacred."

Zabu has been a very popular card in Marvel Snap ever since he was introduced to the game last year. Originally, he would reduce the cost of 4-Cost cards by two, but?? was nerfed to only reduce their cost by one just a month later. Still, he remained a common inclusion in many a deck, so of course players were mortified to see developer Second Dinner rework his ability.

As of the April 10 patch, Zabu only reduces the cost of 4-Cost cards by one until the end of your next turn. While Second Dinner also bumped his Power from two to three, it seems few players think this is suitable compensation. Some of the more extreme reactions from users on X (formerly Twitter), such as haus0fXI and SnapMaterial say Zabu has been "massacred" or "neutered." Both Horus_Xero and Jack Dawes think the nerf has rendered Zabu "worthless," suggesting some players will stop running the card in their? decks.

One of the top posts at the moment on the Marvel Snap subreddit appears to corroborate this, with someone posting a clip from the old X-Men cartoon of Zabu being left behind by his companion Ka-Zar. Another user, Anjan_S, wrote, "RIP Zabu. You were the best kitty," while Mean_Carrot_1746 said they "won't ever smile again" because of?? the nerf.

There is one spot of hope in all this. In Second Dinner's patch notes, the developer stated it has "a larger set of impactful changes later this year", and Zabu's nerf is a temporary one to "??help us vet that work." So, it's likely Zabu will return to his former glory before the end of 2024. Although he wasn't the onl?y one to be seriously hampered by the recent patch. Alioth has also been radically updated, with its ability to destroy an opponent's unrevealed cards changed to just removing their text instead.

The post Marve??l Snap fans say goodbye to Zabu a??fter latest nerf appeared first on Destructoid.

After devel?oping social media apps like TikTok, ByteDance made a big push into the gaming market with its Nuverse brand. Now the company may be reversing course. 

Nuverse is a developer behind titles like Marvel Snap, One Piece: The Voyage, and Warhammer 40,000: Lost Crusade. According to a report from Reuters, ByteDance is scaling back Nuverse and looking to sell off Moonton Technology, its o?ther development brand. 

“We regularly review our businesses and make adjustments to center on long-term strategic growth areas,�a ByteDance spokesperson told Reuters. “Following a recent revie??w, we've made the difficult decision to restructure our gaming business.�

The move could affect hundreds of people working for Nuverse and Moonto?n Techn??ology, as ByteDance looks to be pivoting away from the gaming industry entirely. 

The news came as a surprise for Nuverse employees, per Reuters, who learned about the restructuring with all of us on Nov. 27, but ByteDance seemed to start moving in this direction earlier this month. On November 9 TechCrunch reported that the company had laid off hund??reds working on Pico, its brand focused on VR development. According to the report, this will not affect casual titles from its publi?sher Ohayoo and the games that are playable inside of TikTok.

Marvel Snap goes on 

Marvel Snap is one of the genuine successes that have come out of Nuverse in recent years. In the wake of the Reuters report, the official Marvel Snap account on X shared a tweet saying the game “will ??continue to operate and flourish in the future�despite any changes happening at Nuverse. How that will exactly play?? out remains to be seen. 

Marvel Snap was our mobile game of the year in 2022, and it’s definitely grown a healthy fanbase since then. The game made $50 million in its first six months on the market, and it's still one of th??e most compelling mobile card games out t?here. 

The post M?arvel Snap team says it will carry on, as ByteDance pulls back from games appeared first on Destructoid.

Ready your goggles, friends.

Nuverse's Marvel Snap is still working hard to make the superhero-themed, mobile card game fun and rewarding. Besides tinkering with the cards, fixing bugs, and crafting new ways to play against opponents, Marvel Snap is big on frequently updating the art of the cards. These new styles are called variants, and they play a huge part in the game's store and events. During the newest update, the second-ever Variant Rush beg??an. From March 21 through April 4, opening Collector's Caches could get you the newest variant theme: Steampunk!

Not every card is getting a Steampunk makeover, but there is a small list of cards and titles that players may snag while they play the game. The last Variant Rush was the Winterverse event, and I'm still longing for that winter Rogue card. Alas, variants offered during these event??s hypothetically won't be offered ag??ain once they're over. They are event exclusives, so if you're really into this style, you'll want to clear your schedule.

Though I did see one Steampunk Variant in my Store, ??for the most part, these cards are obtained by opening Collector's Caches. When you update cards and move up Collection Levels, you'll continue to get new cards. After level 506, you'll have access to Collector's Caches and Tokens. This is when the "Series" or "Pool" three cards are revealed to players working their way up the ladder.

For this event, there is now an even higher chance of unlocking a Steampunk Variant. According to Stephen Jerrett, the leading product designer for Marvel Snap developer Second Dinner, the drop rate for Variants has doubled since the last event, likely in an effort to make it more worthwhile for play??ers who are excited to participate.

The Prizes

Who has been reimagined in the retro-futurist style? Some interesting ?choices in my opinion.

• Bishop
• Falcon
• Shocker
• Cerebro
• Yellow Jacket

It's not that these cards don't look ?cool. I just think there were a lot of choices, and these just seem the tamest. Admittedly, Falcon does look very cool in Steampunk. Besides these cards, you can also unlock three titles.

• Steam Powered
• Fully Leatherclad
• The Goggles Do Nothing!

If you rushed to your app to start playing, here's a quick reminder that you may have to manually update to get the benefits. The patch notes came out on March 21, 2023, so there's plenty of time to play. Also, if you haven't done it yet, check out some of the new features from the update. For example, we all get to pick one Pool 3 card to have for free each season! And while we still only have the Friendly Battle Mode, it's nice to see that Nuverse and Second ??Dinner are working on a Conquest Battle Mode. Exciting things are coming our way.

The post Don’t miss the Marvel Snap Steampunk Variant Rush ev?ent appeared first on Destructoid.

It was... inevitable

The extremely compelling mobile card game Marvel Snap has had a stu??pendous launch, having raked in just over $50 million USD in revenue since its laun??ch on iOS and Android platforms in October 2022.

The digital tabletop title �the first game from Californian studio Second Dinner �sees players build a deck of heroes and villains from the famous comic book brand, before going to battle in strategic, turn-based gameplay. Players can earn or purchase various new cards in order to build up their deck, and take part in limited-time events, seasons, and tournaments. Currently, the title is enjoying an Ant-Man-themed event, in collaboration with the recent Marvel Cinematic Universe release Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania.

//www.youtu?be.com/watch?v=GNuq6E3enZQ&ab_c??hannel=MarvelEntertainment

Due to the exciting nature of the game's roster as well as a short playtime of only a few minutes �Marvel Snap won over a huge community of players at Quicksilver speed. Roughly 12 million players downloaded the title in its launch month with around $30 million in revenue pulled in by January of this year. Of course, many mobile titles enjoy this burst of incredible success in their opening six months, and time will tell whether Marvel Snap will continue to grow over the remainder of 2023. But given the popularity of the Marvel brand, and the overall quality of the game itself. I would expect t?hose microtransaction bucks to?? keep rolling in for the foreseeable future.

Marvel Snap is available now on iOS and Android platforms. A console versio?n is also in the works.

Marvel Snap hit??s $50m reve?nue, 18m downloads since launch [mobilegamer.biz]

The post Marvel Snap has already raked in $50 million in ??revenue appeared first on Destructoid.

2022's titans keep taking home trophies

The curtain has fallen on the 2023 DICE Awards. And if you were paying?? attention to all the end-of-year awards as they've rolled out, the outcome may not be too surpr??ising.

The awards, hosted by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, had its membership base of over 30,000 industry members vote on the various categories. Elden Ring walked away with five of them, while God of War Ragnarok snatched seven.

It wasn't just their night, though. Other hits from 2022, including Tunic and Vampire Survivors, got some recognition. And Double Fine Productions' Tim Schafer was recognized for his contributions to the industry with the Hall of Fame award. If you want to learn more about that, I can't recommend the recently released PsychOdyssey documentary about the making of Psychonauts 2 enough.

Still, it looks like Elden Ring and Ragnarok remain the two big titans of 2022, warring it out for the annual awards. We still have the annual Game Developers Choice Awards ahead?? of ??us, as part of GDC, to see if some other games can bring home some hardware.

Here's the full list of 2023 DICE Award winners.

2023 DICE Awards winners

Game of the Year: Elden Ring

Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction: Elden Ring

Outstanding Achievement in Game Design: Elden Ring

Outstanding Achievement in Animation: God of War Ragnarök

Outstanding Achievement in Character: God of War Ragnarök - Kratos

Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition: God of War Ragnarök

Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design: God of War Ragnarök

Outstanding Achievement in Story: God of War Ragnarök

Outstanding Technical Achievement: Elden Ring

Action Game of the Year: Vampire Survivors

Adventure Game of the Year: God of War Ragnarök

Family Game of the Year: Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope

Fighting Game of the Year: MultiVersus

Racing Game of the Year: Gran Turismo 7

Role-Playing Game of the Year: Elden Ring

Sports Game of the Year: OlliOlli World

Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year: Dwarf Fortress

Online Game of the Year: Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker

Immersive Reality Technical Achievement: Red Matter 2

Immersive Reality Game of the Year: Red Matter 2

Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game: Tunic

Mobile Game of the Year: Marvel Snap

The post Elden Ring and God of War Ragnarok win big ?at 2023 DICE Awards appeared first on Destructoid.

How to play Battle Mode in Marvel Snap

We all have that friend who would just destroy us in a one-on-one battle in Marvel Snap. Or maybe you are that friend! Either way, until now, players have been mostly playing against themselves. The goal has been to win matches to upgrade cards, which earns Collection Level points. Collection Level points lead to gaining more cards. After the most recent update, however, you can challenge your friends to a duel. Here's how you can utilize Battle Mode in Marvel Snap to compete against your friends.

Update that app

The new update can be found in your app store if you're using the mobile version of Marvel Snap. It's not necessarily an automatic update for many players, so go to the app page in whichever ??app store you used to download it. There will be a button that says, "Upgrade." It doesn't take long at all to be ready to go again. Whe??n you open the game again, there will be a new Menu page to explore.

Game Modes

The Game Modes menu is at the botto??m to the right of the Main Menu. The joystick icon will display the menu name when clicked on. At the time of writing, there is a front page to this menu. You have to click on the image taking up the screen that says "Friendly Battle" to move forward. The existence of this page makes me think that we can hope for different types of game modes in the future. Why else have this extra step?

Once you are in the Friendly Battles page, you will have two options: Create or Join. If you're making the first move, click "Create." A match code will be generated for you to copy and share with your friend. This can be a little awkward if you're also trying to communicate via your phone. When I tried it, I had to copy the code and then swipe up out of Marvel Snap to share it via chat. Thankfully this doesn't end the match, and I was able to pick right back up where I left off. Joining a match is the opposite side of thi??s coin??. If you have a code, choose "Join," and you will see a space for you to enter that code. Easy!

[caption id="attachment_360641" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

A word of warning here: the deck you have selected when you join is the deck you are playing every round with. Make sure it's the one yo?u want!

The Rules of Battle Mode

Battle Mode works a little differently than the usual matches. Each player begins the battle with 10 health. The winner is the player that can bring their opponent's health down to zero over a series of rounds. The amount of damage dealt each round is equal to the number of Cubes won. You can still retreat in Battle Mode to limit your damage the same way you would while playing matches. If you retreat before the final blow, you only lose one point of health instead of tw??o. This means Friendly Battles can go on for a long time, especially if players are evenly matched.

By Round Five, however, the stakes are doubled by beginning the match with an automatic Snap. This means that only one player has to Snap in order for the stakes to be 8 Cubes. If you're unsure what that is still, here's an explanation of what the Snap does in Marvel Snap. So the loser of each? round has their health docked b??y the total Cubes lost, and by Round Five, the loser can lose two, four, or eight points of health.

Playing in Battle Mode won't do anything for your journey to gain Collection Levels and rank. It's just a fun skirmish between friends. Up until now, matches have been based on the player's level, so it will be interesting to see how different they will be when you're pl??aying against your friends. While you won't be gaining prizes, for some players, it's worth gaining practice in strategy. Players will have their decks locked for the duration of the battle, so with each round, you will have to be careful not to show all of your tricks right off the bat.

Personally, I have a lot to gain from m?y friends who have achieved higher levels than me. My only concern with this mode is that the cards each player has is based on their level. And while strategy will get you far in this game, some players are just going to have better cards. U?nless your friends are around the same level as you, Friendly Battles might be a little discouraging.

So far, this update has been really fun though! Competing against friends in a way that doesn't harm your overall game is a nice low-stakes bonding experience. Some players are already thinking up ways to play tournaments now, which seems like a logical step forward for a card game. For help with deck builds, we have a few guides to help, including the best destroy deck builds and the best decks to build around Black Panther.

The post Fight your friends with Marvel Snap’s ‘Battle Mode’ update appeared first on Destructoid.

The 'I'm walkin' here' award goes to...

Yesterday saw the New York Videogame Critics Circle host its 12th annual New York Game Awards, celebrating the best releases to hit the PC, console, ??and mobile gaming market in 2022.

In a ceremony packed full of, frankly, oddly monikered categories Elden Ring was the big winner of the evening, taking home the "Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year". In addition, FromSoftware's highly celebrated fantasy RPG also captured the "Statue of Liberty Award for Best World". Elden Ring, as you will no doubt be aware, topped many outlets' "Best of" lists at the end of 2022, (including our own), which is a testament to the title's appeal in ?aesthetic design, gameplay, and atmosphere.

Other big winners of the night included Poncle's Vampire Survivors, which won the "Off-Broadway Award for Best Indie Game", while actor Manon Gage took home the "Great White Way Award for Best Acting in a Game", for her affecting performance in Sam Barlow's Immortality. The "A-Train Award for Best Mobile Game" was won by card-battle Marvel Snap, while the "Herman Melville Award for Best Writing in a Game" went to Sony Santa Monica's brutal and evocative sequel God of War: Ragnarok.

Here is the winners' list for the 2023 New York Game Awards:

• Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year: Elden Ring
• Off-Broadway Award for Best Indie Game: Vampire Survivors
• Herman Melville Award for Best Writing in a Game: God of War Ragnarök
• Statue of Liberty Award for Best World: Elden Ring
• Tin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game: Metal: Hellsinger
• Great White Way Award for Best Acting in a Game: Manon Gage (Immortality)
• Coney Island Dreamland Award for Best AR/VR Game: Moss: Book II
• Central Park Children’s Zoo Award for Best Kids Game: Kirby and the Forgotten Land
• A-Train Award for Best Mobile Game: Marvel Snap
• Freedom Tower Award for Best Remake: The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe
• Joltinâ€?Joe Award for Best Esports Player of the Year: Masaya "aMSa" Chikamoto (VGBootCamp/Red Bull Esports)
• Chumley’s Speakeasy Award for Best Hidden Gem: Signalis
• NYC GWB Award for Best DLC: Destiny 2: The Witch Queen
• Knickerbocker Award for Best Games Journalism: Justin Heckert (Vanity Fair)
• Elizabeth Jennings Graham Award for Best Educator: Ryan O'Callaghan
• Andrew Yoon Legend Award Recipient: Phil Spencer

The post Elden Ring bags another Best Game trophy at New York Game Awar??ds appeared first on Destructoid.

Series Drop to affect card rarity

Marvel Snap might want to ensure that they have a hand as mighty as Thanos this month, as developer Second Dinner has announced th??at its highly-anticipated PvP Battle Mode will be launching in the digital card battler as soon as this month.

First announced back in the fall of 2022, the Marvel Snap PvP Battle Mode will give players the ability to swiftly and thoroughly pound their pals into mush, slapping down a series of cards designed to ru??in everybody's day. I'm looking at you, Agatha Harkness. The update i?s expected to launch on January 31, though the developers ask players for patience in lieu of any possible last-minute delays or pushbacks.

In addition to PvP Battle Mode, the new update will debut Marvel Snap's official rebalance system, known as "Series Drop". This semi-regular event will see higher-level cards �for example Series 3, 4, and 5 �drop a tier each, increasing their chance of appearance ahead of any newly debuting characters. The team is aiming for one Series Drop per month. It should be noted that the most powerful cards, such as Thanos and Galactus, will not be reduced in rarity. As these fellas are bad boys 4?? life.

Finally, Second Dinner notes that is currently investigating the rate at which Tokens are earned, in line with the price of in-store cards. The team hopes to come up with a fair and acceptable way to help Series 3 players push toward the upper echelons of Series 4 and 5 with less frus??tration. While no specific changes were announced, Second Dinner will continue to experiment with balance tweaks to help expedite progress.

Marvel Snap is a??vailable now as a free-to-play title on iOS and Android devices.

The post Marvel Snap will launch it?s long-awaited PvP Battle Mode late-January appeared first on Destructoid.

A few cards are on the Snap team's radar

The newest patch for Marvel Snap is live, adding some new locations and balancing several cards. Galactus, Leader, and a few other are among the primary fixes in this latest update, as the Marvel Snap team is keeping an eye on their power level.

In the latest update notes, Marvel Snap developer Second Dinner outlines how the patch? affects some of the common deck archetypes. Cards like Galactus, Leader, and Aero are cards worthy of build?ing a deck around, and they've seen some bumps in popularity.

Galactus spec??ifically moves from a 6/3 to a 6/2, slightly adjusting his power. The balance team says that even at the highest ranks of play, Galactus is seeing "concerningly high" win rates, and they'll be keeping an eye on the world-eater as time goes on.

Leader is also under a microscope. While his bump from 6/4 to 6/??3 is also fairly small, the team outlines why they're keeping an eye on the card. The six-cost card is proving to be both polarizing and frustrating for players, and is something that may be open to further changes down the? road.

Additionally, Aero and other cards are also getting a few shifts to keep them in line with the overall lineup. But it's not all balance; also added in today's patch is a fast-forward option. Now, when cards drop an incredibly long series of buffs and procs, the game will just skip ahead to the big finale. Plus, some new sounds, locations, and the ability to see artist credits on cards are all included in this latest Marvel Snap patch.

If you want to see the full patch notes, you can find them here. Down below are th??e specific card balance up??dates and dev comments on them.

Marvel Snap balance patch notes (Jan. 10, 2023)

• Aero 5/8 -> 5/7
  • Developer Comment: Aero’s effect can be a very powerful disruption and control tool. While previously, we buffed Aero up to her current statline, players have since learned to utilize her to great effect, so we think it’s appropriate to reduce her Power a bit.
• - Galactus 6/3 -> 6/2
  • Developer Comment: Even at the highest ranks of play, Galactus and decks using him are demonstrating concerningly high cube-gain and win rates. Not all of these decks overtly herald his approach, and the range of cards that can complement him has proven wide and difficult for some decks to counter. We're taking one Power away from Galactus now and evaluating whether or not we should make more meaningful changes to his design in the future.
• Leader 6/4 -> 6/3
  • Developer Comment: Leader’s effect is proving to be very frustrating to many players and polarizing in its ability to lock down games and discourage playing some other 6-Cost cards. We are taking a bit of power away from him for now and exploring further changes to the card in the future.
• Nova 1/2 -> 1/1
  • Developer Comment: Nova’s effect makes him much stronger than an average 1-Cost card, so we don’t think it’s appropriate that he has the stats of an average 1-Cost card.
• Drax 4/4 On Reveal: If your opponent played a card here this turn, +4 Power. -> 4/5 On Reveal: If your opponent played a card here this turn, +3 Power.
• Groot 3/3 On Reveal: If your opponent played a card here this turn, +3 Power. -> 3/4 On Reveal: If your opponent played a card here this turn, +2 Power.
  • Developer Comment: We believe the Guardiansâ€?effects create fun moments, but they can feel too sink or swim. We’re giving Drax and Groot a small buff to their baselines to make them less risky to play and hopefully open them up as more viable contenders in the 3 and 4-Cost slots.
• Hazmat 2/1 -> 2/2
  • Developer Comment: While we are aware of the Hazmat combo decks that may feel strong, Hazmat is actually doing fairly poorly overall. We’re giving the decks she enables a small buff with this update.
• Black Cat 3/6 -> 3/7
  • Developer Comment: Black Cat sees virtually no play, so we’re giving her an extra Power to make running her more worthwhile.
• Nakia 3/1 -> 3/2
  • Developer Comment: We think Nakia’s effect is a fun mechanic to play with, but she’s currently seeing very little success. We’re hoping a small buff will make her a more appealing option.

The post L?atest Marvel Snap patch takes aim at Galactus, Leader, and more appeared first on Destructoid.

At least so far.

Don't get me wrong, I'm really enjoying Marvel Snap! I play a few matches every day, and I have favorite cards ??that I keep in my deck purely out of sentimental value. I like figuring out deck builds on my own rather than looking them up. Not that there's anything wrong with looking up the tried and true ways to combine cards that work together, but I like the challenge of figuring it out as I go. Which is probably why it is taking me so long to climb the ladder.

Realizing how behind I am, I started thinking about things like the Season Pass or the bundles that I occasionally see. Usually, my eyes just glaze over these things. I have had zero interest in buying anything from Marvel Snap, no matter how much fun it is. When I finally paid attention, I almost spit out my coffee. They want how much for the "Starlit Connection" bundle?!

I clicked on the bundle to get more information. Surely, there have to be powerful, game-changing cards here. Instead, I found two cards that most people will already have in their collection. Sera isn't revealed until you hit the Pool Three cards around Collection Level 486, but still, that isn't a hard card to get. Angela has been in my hand for a while because she's a Pool O?ne card.

The other items are 4,000 credits and two avatars. So what'??s the selling point that makes this bundle worth $49.99? The cards and avatars are "Anime Varia??nts."

Marvel Snap loves variants.

I think Marvel Snap's love for variants is interesting. The game seems to have a soft spot for reimagining each card under different themes. Variant changes are purely cosmetic. Each card still behaves the same, and you end up with a copy in your collection. I think the idea behind the variants isn't just to add personality to your deck though. They give players something to splurge on that won't turn the game into a pay-to-?win monstrosity.

In Marvel Snap, gathering cards is free, so we all ??end up with the same base cards eventually. Limited-time offers for cool variant art can be tempting. I'm certainly tempted by the new "Savage Land" style, and I wanted that ?Winterverse Rogue card. There's nothing wrong with wanting a certain style, as that's the essence of collections. Variants are achieved through unlocks and upgrades, so hypothetically, any player can achieve them with or without paying.

So what do you pay for?

As I'm writing this, there are a few things you can put your m??oney towards. The "Welcome Bundle" includes a Captain America variant card and avatar as well as 700 gold for $2.99. That's honestly not a bad price. Even with the variant and avatar aside, 700 gold will buy you one low-level variant in the "Daily Offer" section of the Shop. If you see something you like, you don't have to save up for it.

Speaking of which, gold is something you can buy in Marvel Snap too. The lowest price available right now is 300 gold for $4.99, ?and the highest is 8,000 gold for $99.99. So there's quite the range. That 700 gold that you can use to buy a variant is $9.99?? typically, so the "Welcome Bundle" is a nice one-time deal.

Gold is also earned in-game, but very slowly. You can use gold to buy credits as well, but the number of credits, and how often you can buy them, is time limited. For example, 120? gold will get you 150 credits, and 400 gold will get you 500 credits. Credits are then used along with boosters to upgrade cards and move up Collection Levels. The limit keeps you from buying your way to the top too quickly.

Next up is the Premium Season Pass at $9.99. Each new season comes around about once a month and offers a new variant art theme. This month, if you pay $9.?99 for the Premium Season Pass, you have the ability to earn three cards, three avatars, two card backs, up to 2600 credits, and up to 1200 gold. I say "ability to earn" be??cause you don't just receive these items. You unlock them by completing missions.

The missions are pretty easy and can be c??ompleted just by playing the game. While I will occassionally add a card to my deck if it looks like it will com?plete a mission, I usually just let them happen naturally. Some of the Season Pass rewards are free, but many will be locked for Premium purchasers only. This month, I'm eyeing that Zabu card because I don't have him yet, love the art, and would have already won him if I had Premium. He is the first prize!

So Premium, while something I wouldn't buy every month, is not an outrageo?us deal. You make your money back in gold and credits if you play regularly. Plus, it's nice to support a cool free-to-play game that I'm enjoying. If you pay $14.99 for Premium+, you get the same perks but also immediately advance by 10 levels. Since most regular players are likely to get to about 40 or 50 levels, it's a nice boost but not unfair.

The most outrageously priced thing is this optional cosmetic bundle. There's no r??eason to buy it at all, let alone for $49.99.

Is it a FOMO thing?

This is the only reason I can think of as to why they would ask for this kind of money for a couple of pre?tty, digital cards. Is it an exclusivity thing? If people are buying these cards just to show off, it's not the flex they think it is.

Maybe I'm being too cynical. Maybe it's just a way to easily support the game creators. Marvel Snap is so detailed and dynamic. Every month brings new art and new cards. ??Plus, the cards are all planned out in such a way that building d??ecks is fun and easy. It really is a great game, and that amount of work should be rewarded. But pricing these cosmetic variant bundles at the same price point as some brand-new games is not a great way to do that.

I'm thinking about what I would be willing to pay for as someone who is kind of cheap but still lacks a certain amount of impulse control. I would say $19.99 would be more reasonable. If they offered Winterverse variants of Gambit and Rogue, I would pay $19.99. I would feel a little guilty about it, but I would buy it. I think if they lowe??red the price of these bundles, they would sell a lot more of them.

What is the most you'?ve spent on cosmetic items in-game?

The post Marvel Snap cosmetic bundles are missing the mark appeared first on Destructoid.

I know when that hotline bling, it can only mean a new set of challenges has unlocked

After relenting for far too many years, the biggest releases on mobile in 2022 finally convinced me to get one of those Xbox controller attachments that hold your phone. After about five minutes of using it, I tossed it in the bin. The whole set-up was just too heavy and flimsy, even if it made playing games like Diablo Immortal and Apex Legends Mobile an absolute dream. No, if I'm going to get a controller for my mobile, I'm going to need to shell out the big bucks for one of those Backbones. And considering what's on the horizon for n??ext year, it'll likely be worth it.

For this year though, I was perfectly happy playing through the best mobile games of the year with touchscreen controls. Whether I was digging up treasure in Shovel Knight Dig or scoring the winning goal in Rocket League Sideswipe–a game that was technically released in late November 2021 but wasn't actually playable until a few days later in December so we're counting? it as eligible–touchscreen controls continue to evolve and improve with each passing year and each crop of new games.

Except for in Wordle where my fat fingers keep typing the wrong letters. Yes, we're counting Wordle for this year's GotY awards as well because while it might have started up last fall, n??obo??dy outside a small group of people was playing it until December.

We didn't cover as many mobile games on Destructoid this year as we have in the past, but that doesn't mean we weren't playing? th??em.

Here are the nominees for Destructoid's Best Mobile Game of 2022:

• Jetpack Joyride 2
• Marvel Snap
• Poinpy
• Rocket League Sideswipe
• Shovel Knight Dig
• Slice & Dice
• Wordle

The post Nominees for Destructoid’s Best Mobile Game of 2022 appeared first on Destructoid.

Friends who Snap together, stay together

While Marvel Snap is quickly taking over phones, one particular feature that's missing is the ability to challenge friends. But that's going to change soon, as the team says a mode for playing against friends in Marvel Snap is arriving before the end of the year.

Speaking to The Washington Post, a spokesperson for developer Second Dinner confirms an update is on the way for thi?s calendar year. Part of this update will be a "friend-centric" Battle Mode.

The Battle Mode was mentioned in an October roadmap update, as a different way of playin Snap. Rather than competing for Cosmic Cubes, player ??have health.

Multiple matc??hes are pl??ayed out and players lose health like Cubes, with Snaps taking more health. This is a bit different from the current one-and-done ladder climbing mode.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNuq6E3enZQ

Snap back

This is an interesting way of playing, and one I'm pretty interested in seeing. As much as I love the current version of Marvel Snap, the concept of playing out multiple matches and ?adapting to the opponent is a cool concept.

Obviously, using health rather than Cosmic Cube progression, means you can have a little bit of fun with it too. Maybe rather than worrying about certain decks or strats, you ca?n just instant-Snap and roll out your gimmick decks.

Marvel Snap has surged its way into the conversation in a serious way. Understandably so, as it's a seriously fun card game. It's nice to see the team at Second Dinner is still wo?rking at ways to keep things fresh, even as players are still working their way through card unlocks and the s??easonal pass.

The post Marvel ??Snap will let you Snap against frie?nds sometime this year appeared first on Destructoid.

Heading for Tony Stark levels of wealth?

Free-to-play mobile card game Marvel Snap has already gotten off to a smashing start, having raked in a staggering $2 million USD in?? revenue since its launch just one week ago. Available on PC and mobile platforms, the card combat title has already been downloaded by some 5.3 million players.

Marvel Snap is a strategic card battler that focuses on the heroes and villains of the ??legendary comic-book universe. Players engage in battles, single-player challenges, and objective-based modes with their chosen hand of heroes, set against the backdrop of famous locales from the Marvel universe. Part of the title's attraction is in slick visual style and library of quality Marvel artwork, as well as its speedy gameplay �The average battle takes around three-to-four minutes.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNuq6E3enZQ

The data, which was compiled by AppMagic and reported by mobilegamer.biz, shows that the United States has, unsurprisingly, been the most popular territory for downloads, counting for some 1.3 million players and $1.2 million in revenue. Marvel Snap's second territory of popularity is Bra??zil, with 433,000 players, and then Italy, with 342,000. The iOS version of the title has the lion's share of the player base.

This is rad and all, but shout me when Jessica Drew sh??ows up.

Marvel Snap is available now on PC, iOS, and Android platforms. You can check out CJ Andriessen's thoughts on the title right here. Additionally, to help you get started, check out our own Eric van Allen's beginner tips right here. I haven't personally played either of them yet, (I feel bad when I beat people), but I'm? sure that they know what they're talking about.

The post Marvel S?nap rakes in $2 million in launch week revenue appeared first on Destructoid.

A few helpful tidbits to get your head around Marvel Snap

Marvel Snap recently went into early access on mobile platforms and PC, and it's been creeping its way into every social feed. I've seen players who rarely get hooked on a card game seeking out some Marvel Snap tips, deck advice, or ju??st sharing bizarre board states.

I, too, have been deep in the Snap mines. This isn't my first rodeo, as I've spent a decent chunk of time in games like Hearthstone and Artifact, and dabbled in card games like Magic: The Gathering. Heck, Geralt of Rivia and I dominated Novigrad in Gwent.

With that in mind, I thought I'd provide some helpful tips for players new to the game, or maybe even new to the ideas in Second Dinner's card game.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNuq6E3enZQ

Play the lanes

A big difference maker between Marvel Snap and something like Hearthstone is the three-lane board. ??Winning means having m?ore power in two of the three available locations in play.

It's crucial to think about that in the early-to-mid stages, as you and th?e opponent are still posturing for control. If one lane is out to an early lead, you don't need to cement it just yet. Likewise, take advantage of some cards' ability to boost other lane?s to get a two-for-one effect. Tunnel-visioning on one location can make it tough to come back in others.

Take some measured risks

In turns one through three of Marvel Snap, the locations reveal themselves one-by-on?e. They'll each have effects, that can help or hinder, do nothing, or radically alter the way you play for control.

So an easy Marvel Snap tip I have for early game is to take some measured r??isks on those unrevealed locations. Say turn one reveals Ruins, which does nothing, or is a location with an immedi??ate, one-time effect. It might be better to play for a different locale, on the off-chance that controlling it will garner some benefit.

Invers??ely, if there??'s a good locale on turn one like the Baxter Building or Muir Island, play for it. Read the board and see where you could develop some early momentum.

Count to four

This Marvel Snap tip ?is fairly straightforward. Each? location, barring special circumstances, can only hold four cards.

It's easy to forget this and get caught up dumping low-cost cards in, then watching as a single turn-six Hulk slams through?? all your one-cost drops. Don't leave spaces open for no reason, bu?t be mindful of overcrowding a spot early and losing the chance for larger power swings in the later turns.

Additionally, watch your oppon?ent for this. So many times I've been able to flip a point, or make an educated guess on their? other plans, because of an overcrowded locale.

Consider the curve

If you're a Hearthstone veteran, or really most card games, you're probably familiar with the concept of a "mana curve" or another, similar term. Cards in games like Marvel Snap are metered out by how many resources you have to? play them each turn. Hu?lk may bring a lot of power to the table, but it's going to take six energy to play him; it's a way of balancing power.

It also means that Hulk will usually only be playable on turn six. (Again, barring special circumstances, and heaven knows Marvel Snap has some of those.) When building a deck, take into consideration how playable every card will be, and when. Stacking a deck with 4, 5, and 6-cost cards can come ba??ck ??to bite you, as those cards need to leave your hand to do anything.

The way I like to think about it is, what do I want my draw odds to be? I want a good chance to draw ?into some 1 and 2-drops, and less chance to g?et stuck with 5's and 6's in my hand. Start there with your deck balance, and you'll find yourself spending fewer turns playing nothing.

Tinker with your deck

On that note, please don't just keep running the basic Deck 1 forever. Marvel Snap encourages you to make a new deck as part of its onboarding Recruit ?pass, but continual tinkering is beneficial in m?any, many ways.

It helps you start to identify pain points. If you notice you're not playing a certain card from your deck very often, swap it fo??r something that might see more play. If you get a new card with a cool ability, like Odin's abil?ity to re-proc all On Reveal abilities in a location, build a new concept around it. Trust me, it's fun, especially in the case of Odin.

This will also give you a chance to level up cards, which is the main progression path in Marvel Snap. While cards don't gain any stats or gameplay effects from boosting up the cosmetic ranks, those do boost your collection level, which gives you more cards and resources. Swap in new cards, bounce between lower rarity variants, and create entirely new decks to keep the collection growing?.

Retreat is sometimes an option

Look, I may be trying to give you some good Marvel Snap tips and advice here, but it's time for an admission: I'm a se?rial snapper. I love to hit the "snap" button and up the ante on others, and I can r??arely resist snapping back when my opponent does. (Winning as the return-snapper is electric.)

Learn from me. Learn from my mistakes. Don't be afraid to cut and run if the win clearly isn't going to happen. You might lose some levels??, but not as many if you stayed or snapped back. A retreat is fully viable, especially if you don't want any big setbacks as y??ou climb the ranks.

Play what you like

Everyone has a favorite build or hot new deck they're ru??nning. Don't worry too much about that.

While there are certainly builds and a meta will, I'm sure, emerge around this game, I've found I enjoy Marvel Snap most when I'm playing how I want to play. I like finding a cool synergy and making it work. I like finding out that I can use ca?rds like Armor and Nightcrawler to bend the ru??les of the arena.

Cyclops is a favorite X-Men character of mine, and in Marvel Snap, he is simply a 3-cost 4 Power drop. No abili?ties. No flash. But I try to make Scott Summers shine anyways. ??I'm convinced it's because of the massive, catastrophic optic beam he emits when you drag him onto the field.

The point is, have some fun. I've found that even the best-laid plans can fall apart, a??nd the most directionless ideas can suddenly become winning strategies with the right mindset. Play what you like, and curse the game every time it pops up the "add five rocks" location.

Marvel Snap is in early access on iOS, Android, and PC.

The post Marvel Snap: Some helpful tips for newcomers appeared first on Destructoid.

Snap into a slim Jimmy-6

I recently went on a little book-buying bonanza, readying my little library for the cold autumn and winter nights that’ll soon be coming to my wee corner of the world. Most of my purchases were novels designed to make me look intelligent and well-informed when guests see them on my shelves. But one was a pure nostalgia purchase. Earlier this year, Abrams Books released a compendium of The Uncanny X-Men trading cards that were illustrated by Jim Lee??. These cards were a massive part of my childhood. I used to have an incredibly thick binder that had hundreds of these cards in it, and every once in a while, I would thumb through its pages, gawking at my collection.

While sentimental, the book’s decision to limit one side of one card per page makes it a rather annoying read. But I’ve enjoyed reading it because of all those wonderful memories it unearths in the catacombs of my mind. The cards of Marvel Snap have had a similar effect.

Marvel Snap (Android [reviewed], iOS, PC)
Developer: Second Dinner
Publisher: Nuverse
Released: October 18, 2022
MSRP: Free-to-play w/ microtransactions

From developer Second Dinner, a team founded by several people who helped develop Hearthstone, Marvel Snap is a quick-paced card battler that pits characters from the Marvel universe ?into a numbers game. The rules are simple: each player will build a deck of 12 unique cards from those they’ve unlocked and then play those cards in one of three locations. Each card has an associated cost and power, and the player who can build the most power at two of the three locations, or by a larger margin if you tie at one or two of the locations, wins.

Most cards are equipped with either ongoing or on-reveal abilities that can boost your hand or set back your opponent. The locations themselves, each based on an iconic locale in the Marvel Univer?se, can have gimmicks that greatly al??ter the effectiveness of your deck. Some can be very beneficial, like doubling the strength of abilities for cards played there. Others are a hindrance, like locations that destroy any card you play there. Depending on which cards you have in your deck, you won’t know the full scope of these location gimmicks until you reach the third round.

There are six rounds in total in each match, and the amount of energy you’re given in each round corresponds which round you’re in. Unspent energy does not carry over, so if you don’t play a card in round two, you’ll still start the third round ?with three points of energy. Cards with low energy costs don’t offer too much in the way of power, but they can prove clutch if you’re ab?le to augment their strength with more powerful cards in your deck.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNuq6E3enZQ

Putting together a compatible deck is very much a trial-and-error process. But with most matches wrapping up in around three minutes, it didn’t take me too long to put together a few decks of cards that complement each other. There is ?no greater feeling than seeing a well-planned strategy come to fruition thanks fine-tuned deck and a bit of luck in the draw.

Actually,? there is a greater feeling than that, and that’s when your opponent decides to snap.

The eponymous snap of Marvel Snap is what can best be described as upping the ante. At any time during a match’s six rounds, you can press the Cosmic Cube at the top of the screen to snap. Players are encouraged to do this when they think victory is in the bag as it doubles the number of Cosmic Cubes at play. These cubes determine your season rank, and I let out many cackling laughs watching my opponents snap only for me to steal victory?? from them with an Odin or Devil Dinosaur. If you or your opponent does snap and you don’t think you can actually win based on the cards in your hand, you do have the option to escape while losing only the number of Cosmic Cubes currently in play.

Let's talk Mister Money

With all this talk about Cosmic Cubes, I should address the many different systems and currencies in place here. Marvel Snap has two main currencies: gold ?and credits. Gold can be purchased with real money—it can also be earned in-game—to spend in the shop on credits ?or variants of the cards that are already in your possession. Card variants do not provide any benefit over the standard version; they’re just an opportunity to let the game’s artists get really creative with their beautiful artwork.

Credits are used to upgrade the rarity of cards, which in turn, increases your collection level. The more you build your collection level, the more cards you’ll unlock. Though predetermined at first, the cards you unlock with your collection will eventually be? randomized, and it can be a punch to the gut to play against those with powerful cards you haven’t unlocked yet.

Unless there is some wild caveat I’m missing, players should be able to earn every card available in the core game by increasing their collection level. Arguably, this levels the playing field a bit, as all deck builds have an element of chance associated with them. However, if somebody manages to pull The Infinuat, that might give them an insurmountable advantage. With so many cards still missing from my collection, it’s tough to say right now just how balanced this game is. I would like to think the people behind Hearthstone know what they’re doing, but even Magic the Gathering is still creating cards that later get smacked with the ban hammer.

Seasons in the Sunspot

As is the case with many popular free-to-play mobile games, Marvel Snap is making its money with a season pass. Right now, there is a Symbiote Invasion season that'll give you access to Miles Morales. Variants for Carnage and Spider-Woman are part of the season as well, and the latter is particularly handy as she siphons power from cards p?layed against her. If you can hit level 50, you'll unlock a variant for Morales, but you’ll need to pony up $10 and level your way up through the pass to get it.

Increasing your season pass level goes a bit slower than I would like. ??The only expedient way to do it is by completing daily and seasonal challenges, but these unlock over time. After speed-running through the first two chapters of the Symbiote Invasion, I was left twiddling my thumbs and fine-tuning my deck until the third set of challenges unlocked. While you're obviously encouraged to keep playing and winning those Cosmic Cubes, just beating your opponent provides a pitiful amount of XP. I guess when there are just 50 levels of unique rewards to the season pass, they don't want players powering their way through it.

And yet, that’s what I’ve been doing for the past week or so with Marvel Snap. At work and at home, I just can't put it down. With its structure and speed, it doesn’t feel as tactical as some of the other card games I’ve played, but it finds a way to be satisfying in its brevity. I really have no complaints about Marvel Snap with the Early Access period. Here’s to hoping that remains true now that ??it’s in general release.

_{[This Early Access review is based on a code provided by the publisher.]}

The post Early Access Review: Marvel Snap appeared first on Destructoid.

Heroes and villains slam the digital tabletop next month

Nuverse and Second Dinner are bringing the heroes and villains of Marvel to the card arena next month. Digital card battler Marvel Snap hits PC and mobile on October 18.

Announced today during the Disney and Marvel Games Showcase at D23 Expo, the free-to-play?? card game will feature over 150 cards at launch and more than 80 different locales for digital dueling.

Marvel Snap is being developed by Second Dinner, a studio founded by several former Hearthstone developers. In its reveal back in May, the team assured that while Marvel Snap is free-to-play, ever??y card will be available through gameplay.

Probably shouldn't let Thanos play Snap

One of the key mechanics in Marvel Snap is the titular "snap" move, allowing players to effectively double-down. It's a bluffing mechanic that reminds me a lot of Gwent, and could add an interesting dynamic to play.

Second Dinner is also advertisin??g fast play sessions, at just three minutes a pop. Seems like the idea is to pick up and play quickly.

Considering the way Hearthstone dominated the digital card landscape so fast, I'm interested to see what this team puts together. With the whole Marvel universe behind it for fodder, the team certainly won't lack for interesting characters to toss in. Fingers cr??ossed for some Squirrel Girl.

If you want to keep up with the game and be ready to grab when it's live, you can pre-register over on the Marvel Snap site here.

Marvel Snap debuts for mobile and PC on October 18.

The post Superpowered card game Marvel Snap hits PC and mobi?le in October appeared first on Destructoid.

Marvel heroes and villains clash in card form

A new collectible card game is mixing superheroes and villains with some digital card game talent. Marvel Snap is a new CCG set in the Marvel universe, from a team founded by former Hearthstone developers.

In today's reveal, we get a good look at the general art style before heading into some Marvel Snap gameplay. Snap is?? ta??king a multiverse approach, with tons of Marvel characters represented in card form.

Decks consist of 12 unique cards, as players duke it out over ??different cubes and zones. Both players play simultaneously, vying for cosmic cubes.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=61zjv1HcJDI

There are also multiple locations to win, and the ability to double-down if you think you're sure to win. It has some Gwent vibes to it, which is a bit surprising. More cards and variants are also ??set to roll out, with different looks for the Marvel characters.

And Second Dinner assures that while it's free-to-play, every card will be available through gameplay. It's a mobile game, but the studio is also working tow??ards an early access version for PC to line up with the global launch.

Snap your fingers

It's an interesting debut for Second Dinner, a team founded by several former Hearthstone developers. Some familiar faces for longtime Hearthstone players pop up throughout today's gameplay reveal, and it'?s cool to finally see what they've been working on alongside Marvel and Nuverse.

There isn't a hard date yet for launch, but a closed Android beta is currently open for sign-ups. You can submit yourself for the Marvel Snap Android closed beta here. And those ?who do get in won't lose their pro??gress, as closed beta progress will carry over into launch.

Marvel Snap looks like an interesting new part of Marvel's larger games push. While we've seen single-player games like Guardians of the Galaxy to a card-driven tactical game in the upcoming Marvel's Midnight Suns, the portable quick-play potential of Marvel Snap certainly appeals to the card player in me.

The post Marv??el?? Snap is a new card game from some former Hearthstone developers appeared first on Destructoid.