Anode Heart: Layer Null

Bought this game in a bundle with their other game, Anode hearts and I liked this spin off game way more, personally. This game is really fun, there are some builds that are better than others for sure but if you like deckbuilding you know the goal isn't always to make the most overpowered deck. I had a lot of fun dealing with the bosses, the AI does play a little bad sometimes but the 'cheats' the boss fights use make these fight a unique challenge. You can brute force your way through them they aren't impossible but I found it more fun to try and build a deck to take advantage of their cheats too. I think the game could use some QOL adjustments, and the static screen questline doesn't end up going anywhere and that was a little disappointing but I haven't played a deck builder that got me this hooked in a while. Highly recommend if you're a fan of card games or deckbuilding.

Es un grandísimo juego de 20 horas, las mecánicas son entretenidas, divertidisimo aprender como va y las interacciones entre las cartas tanto tuyas como de tu rival como de las mascotas. Recomendadisimo jugarlo hasta el final, pese a que hay un par de combates antes del final que son horribles y muy desagradables de confrontar con todo counters y cartas de alargar la partida innecesariamente, sin embargo merece la pena. El postgame es horriblemente injusto, aburrido, repetitivo y cansino, jugarlo hasta ver los creditos por primera vez y quedaros con el buen sabor de boca, 20 horas muy agradables, otras 10 que no lo son.

Everything about this game is superb especially for a single player card RPG... except the card art. A LOT of the card art is muddy at best. if you can overlook the occasional awful card artwork then absolutely pick this up

Great indie card game that ease you in while growing more complex over the different biomes!

パッドでのプレイ デッキを弄ってると極端にパソコンの（ゲームではなくてパソコン全体の動作が怪しくなる）FPSが低下して、まともにゲームが遊べない、タスクキルや再起動すら難しくなる。 自分の環境の性かな？と思ったが、「デッキを弄っている時だけ」「このプレイ時間で3回発生」という状態、またほかのゲームで同様の現象が発生したことがないのでおまかんとはいえこのゲームが原因なのは間違いない。ゲームが重いだけじゃなくてPCの動作自体がおかしくなるのは異常。ハイエンドではないが2Dゲーで困るようなスペックではないはずだが……。 カードゲームとしてもドローの配分が明らかに変。普通に1T目でほとんどカードを使いきれる仕様なのに次のターンでも補充がロクになく、最序盤からいきなり消化試合になる。 もちろんドローソース持ちでフォローすればいいが、というよりフォローしないとカードゲームとしての基本のカードを引いてどうこうが成立してないように思える。 シャードを4つ使ってドローできるのでこれを使えてないのでは？……と思うが、これも「回復した時に1シャード」とかデッキにセットしたタマに依存。原則何かをプレイしたり使った時にシャードが増えるため、不利対面やデッキ詰まりには何の改善にもならない。有利な奴が一方的に有利なだけ。

Anode Heart: Layer Null feels like a classic Super Nintendo or Game Boy Advanced game in the best ways possible. If you like creature collectors and CCG battlers, you'll like this game. In my opinion this is one of the best deck builders available right now. The card combos are interesting and varied, the graphics are retro, but good (some of the card art is a bit tough to make out at a glance though). The story isn't top-notch, but it's fine; very much a "thwart the cartoon goons from taking over the world with cards" style thing. The vibes are similar to Mega Man Battle Network. Oh, and the music is incredible! The first game, Anode Heart, was [i]just okay[/i], but this sequel spinoff is much easier to recommend, better in every single way than its predecessor. It's more polished, has a clearer vision, better balance. The developer clearly improved a lot!

Anode Heart: Layer Null is a standalone tactical card-battling RPG developed and published by Stove Powered Games. Although it shares the same universe as Anode Heart, this spin-off is built to welcome both returning players and newcomers by focusing on an entirely different gameplay style. Instead of monster collection serving as the primary attraction, the game transforms the original title's card battle concept into a complete adventure centered on strategic duels, deck customization, and a digital world filled with mysteries. The result is a focused experience that confidently establishes its own identity while expanding the lore of the franchise. The story follows Blank, an aspiring duelist who enters the Duel Server, a virtual realm where reputation and survival are determined by skill with cards. As Blank progresses through increasingly competitive ranks, the journey evolves into more than a quest for recognition. Hidden organizations, suspicious rivals, and deeper secrets surrounding the Shadowed group gradually emerge, giving players reasons to continue beyond simply winning matches. While the narrative is not especially complex, it provides enough intrigue and memorable encounters to keep the campaign engaging from beginning to end, and it integrates naturally with the progression of the gameplay. The game's greatest strength lies in its combat system. Every duel emphasizes careful planning rather than relying on chance, rewarding players who understand card combinations, resource management, and long-term strategy. More than 500 collectible cards provide an impressive amount of flexibility when building decks, encouraging experimentation with different archetypes and tactics. Whether players prefer aggressive offensive strategies, defensive control, or balanced approaches, the game supports a wide variety of viable playstyles. New cards are introduced steadily throughout the adventure, ensuring that deck construction remains fresh instead of becoming repetitive. Progression is structured around a series of increasingly challenging tournaments and boss encounters spread across multiple stages. Each major opponent introduces unique mechanics that force players to rethink their current deck rather than relying on a single strategy throughout the campaign. This design keeps battles varied and prevents the gameplay from falling into predictable patterns. Alongside the card battles, players can also collect Tama monster DNA, offering a subtle connection to the original Anode Heart while ensuring that the card mechanics remain the primary focus of the experience. Visually, Layer Null embraces a nostalgic pixel-art presentation inspired by classic handheld and early console RPGs. The colorful environments, detailed character sprites, and clean interface complement the futuristic digital setting, creating a style that feels both retro and modern. The user interface deserves particular praise for presenting large amounts of card information without becoming cluttered, allowing players to concentrate on tactical decisions instead of navigating confusing menus. While the graphics prioritize charm over technical spectacle, the consistent artistic direction suits the game's atmosphere exceptionally well. Replayability receives a substantial boost through its multiplayer functionality. Players can challenge others through local or direct connection matches, putting their carefully crafted decks to the test against unpredictable human opponents. Since no single deck dominates every matchup, multiplayer encourages continuous experimentation and refinement. Even after completing the main story, there remains strong motivation to collect additional cards, improve strategies, and discover new combinations that may perform better against different competitors. Layer Null also deserves recognition for its approachable learning curve. The game gradually introduces new mechanics and advanced strategies instead of overwhelming players with every feature at once. Beginners can comfortably learn the fundamentals while experienced card game fans will appreciate the growing tactical complexity found in later encounters. This thoughtful pacing makes the game accessible without sacrificing the strategic depth that keeps experienced players invested. The experience is not without a few limitations. Players expecting another traditional creature-collecting RPG may initially be surprised by the strong emphasis on card battles over exploration. The narrative, while enjoyable, mainly serves to support the gameplay rather than becoming the central attraction, so those seeking an expansive story may find it somewhat modest. Likewise, the retro presentation intentionally favors nostalgia over cutting-edge visuals, which may not appeal equally to every audience. However, these choices feel deliberate and align well with the game's overall design philosophy. Overall, Anode Heart: Layer Null succeeds by refining a single gameplay concept into a rewarding standalone adventure. Its deep deck-building mechanics, extensive card collection, satisfying progression, memorable boss battles, and polished retro presentation create an engaging strategy RPG that stands comfortably on its own. Rather than attempting to imitate larger collectible card games, it offers a focused experience with its own personality and a satisfying blend of tactical combat and light RPG storytelling. Fans of strategic card games and retro-inspired adventures will find plenty to enjoy, while newcomers can easily appreciate its accessible mechanics and steadily unfolding world. Rating: 8/10

Really glad that we got this TCG spinoff. Really fun and I know I'm going to enjoy replaying the game focusing on different types of decks. Very satisfying deck building. Pixel art is very good. Navigating on a controller has a few quirks, so I suspect that if you're playing on a Steam Deck, it might not be ideal for that, although you'd certainly be able to make it work. Think that some button prompts for those on controller would help a bit. Feels pretty inconsistent what buttons do depending on which menu you're in, and sometimes there just isn't a button that does what you're needing. Solid 8/10 for me, and 9/10 if the controller experience was improved.

This game is criminally slept on

픽셀 유희왕 카드 놀이 -_-