Once Upon a Galaxy

I enjoyed this game for the first 15 hours I played this, but I reached a point where I'm just done with the game. Here's my journey through playing this game. First time you play this game it's clearly a mobile game interface but it plays similarly to other card based autobattlers. It's very easy to miss tutorial popups playing on PC and there is no way to ever see them again if you miss it, you just have to learn by trial and error if you miss the popup. Matches are quick in this game and it's very quick to start a new match, which is very addictive and probably kept me playing 10 more hours than I should've played this. 10 hours in, I learn that you can drag your card to the top left to toss it. Massive failure of the interface for me to learn this so late, way after hitting legendary rank. 15 hours in, I learn Captains (the character you choose at the start of each match) for some reason have a customizable deck. Cool, except some of them I couldn't make a custom deck for, and also you have to play games on the captain to unlock cards for it, and cards you unlock on one captain are not unlocked for other captains. Very grindy and made me think that playing some captains is a noob trap because you need to unlock cards for it and grind losses otherwise. I realized very quickly that some captains are just straight up better than 90% of the other captains in the game (when your goal is to get 1st place). I found myself clicking the same few captains on repeat (the captains that either generate mass treasures, buff treasures or generate captains that then generate treasures) which eventally led to every game feeling very similar. You also generally see the same few captains in each game at legendary rank which also contributes to stagnant feeling games. The randomness in this game is so insane that you can go from dying (losing all 3 hearts) by turn 5 to bad hit rng (can cause you to lose a full heart in a turn), to winning by turn 20 (games typically end around turn 13) only because you found one random spell/treasure that allows you to high roll and significantly improve your board too late. Matches usually end up as you hitting 3rd place because the top 2 players high rolled with stats 3x as large as your board or you hitting 6th place because you low rolled, scaled up slightly too slowly, or got 2 turns where you were hit for a full heart (bad hit rng). The game eventually felt repetitive, frustrating, and it felt like I was just cranking a slot machine praying for good captain and hit rng so I stopped playing at 2973 mmr. I enjoyed my time with this game but probably ended up playing it too much to the point where I don't want to ever play it again. It's a good game but definitely something you have to pace yourself playing. Surprisingly it's difficult to not just click the play button after each game ends. Very addictive game.

Fun. Addictive. Frustrating to try to get reasonable collections as free to play though.

Developed and published by Million Dreams Games, Once Upon a Galaxy presents a creative spin on the auto battler genre by merging fairy tale inspirations with a sprawling science-fiction backdrop. Rather than relying on traditional fantasy kingdoms or gritty futuristic settings, the game imagines a universe where legendary figures and storybook personalities travel through space in search of victory. This unusual combination gives the title a memorable identity from the very beginning, helping it distinguish itself from the crowded landscape of multiplayer strategy games available on Steam. At its core, the game revolves around assembling a team of heroes under the command of a Captain, whose unique abilities influence every decision throughout a match. Players recruit companions, discover magical artifacts, and cast spells while adapting to constantly changing circumstances. The gameplay is intentionally easy to understand, making it approachable for newcomers, but beneath its accessible surface lies a respectable amount of strategic depth. Building effective combinations, managing resources, and responding to opponents' tactics become increasingly important as players gain experience. The six-player competitive structure keeps matches dynamic, ensuring that no session unfolds exactly the same way twice. The game's greatest strength is its commitment to variety. Each Captain encourages different playstyles, while the extensive roster of units and items opens the door to countless combinations. Whether players prefer aggressive strategies, defensive setups, or carefully engineered synergies, Once Upon a Galaxy provides the tools to experiment. This replayability is further enhanced by the unpredictability of each run, as available recruits and treasures can dramatically shift the direction of a match. While chance plays a role, skilled players who understand the game's systems will consistently find opportunities to improve their odds and outmaneuver competitors. Visually, Once Upon a Galaxy embraces a colorful and inviting presentation that complements its whimsical premise. Character designs are expressive and distinctive, making it easy to identify favorite units while appreciating the game's playful interpretation of folklore in a cosmic setting. The interface is clean and functional, allowing players to focus on strategic decisions without unnecessary distractions. Combined with energetic animations and a lighthearted atmosphere, the game succeeds in creating an experience that feels welcoming without sacrificing its competitive edge. As a free-to-play title, the game benefits from a model that encourages players to jump in with minimal commitment. Million Dreams Games appears committed to supporting the experience through updates and seasonal content, which is particularly important for maintaining a healthy multiplayer community. Ongoing additions and balance adjustments have the potential to keep the metagame evolving over time, giving long-term players fresh reasons to return. However, those seeking a heavily narrative adventure may find the game's emphasis on multiplayer progression and replayability somewhat limiting. Similarly, newer players may initially struggle against veterans who have mastered optimal strategies and unit synergies. Once Upon a Galaxy ultimately succeeds by delivering an imaginative and polished take on familiar mechanics. Its combination of auto battler gameplay, collectible card elements, and fairy tale-inspired worldbuilding results in a package that feels both accessible and rewarding. While it occasionally leans on genre conventions and carries the expected learning curve of competitive strategy games, its charm, replay value, and strategic possibilities make it an enjoyable experience for fans of multiplayer titles. For players interested in discovering a distinctive blend of fantasy and science fiction wrapped in a fast-paced competitive format, Once Upon a Galaxy proves to be a worthwhile journey among the stars. Rating: 7/10

One of the worst balanced and lowest agency games I've ever had the misfortune of finding. It's a glorified slot machine masquerading as an auto battler, with the same highs and lows of a slot machine. Once you reach high enough rank the only question is if you high roll because if you don't rest assured someone else will. Compositions have very little synergy between them and there are exceptionally few counters to board states so your only choice is to pick a lane and hope you luck out. Not to mention the awful monetization of the game. Each season releases three leaders more ridiculous than the last that you can only play if you fork over fifteen dollars each. Then you can guarantee you'll get to play one of those three for the low low price of another 20 dollars.

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