Ratropolis

"Мышиные звуки счастья"

Short version: If you like deckbuilding rouglites you should like this game. I really like the variety of ways the game can play out. From the leaders you choose, the cards you get, the buildings you build (from the cards), each game feels fresh. Addressing some negative review comments: Not enough synergies--HAHAHA *wheeze* HAHAHA These kinds of comments are probably from STS players who are used to grabbing one super card and building their entire strategy around it. There are a few of those but not as many in Ratropolis. However, it isn't just a deckbuilder. There are buildings and leaders to consider. There are 6 leaders (maybe 8), each with their own decks and two genders for each leader, which changes their abilities. So there are 12 different sets of abilities for you to build your deck around and different buildings you can use to add to those synergies. Further, each region has different boon cards that will work better with some leaders. So, across 12 leaders and 3 regions, you have 36 different ability and boon combos to synergize with different potential decks. Also, you unlock more/better cards as you play with each leader. I've seen the comment that there are only 2-3 viable strategies...maybe for each leader?? Ability to win based on APM--this almost made me not buy the game, and it is just not true I find myself waiting for card draw timers more often than paying to rush it and get more actions in. The game starts slow and ends fast. But APM really isn't something to worry about. Buildings are refreshing on a 2-minute timer or so, and you only need to activate a few of them (maybe 4-5, depending on how many you build) so they're not vying for your attention. There is no troop micro unless you are falling back from a wall during a tough fight (1 click). I really just don't see the APM argument at all, except in MAYBE the last two waves where you're blowing through your money to cycle your deck. Can't ever get good cards in hand--it's a deck-building game....remove cards. Some buildings do this every activation, chests that allow this, and events that do this. It's a core part of deckbuilding rouglites. Buy new cards, and delete base deck cards as you progress. Brutal difficulty spike--the end game is tough; think of it like the heart in STS It's not as bad as the heart, but consider the last few waves (26-30) the end game. You're building up your troops and abilities to fight a big nasty fight at the end. Also, it is a rougleite. Expect to lose before you win. I clocked my first W on my 4th game but got a bit lucky with a good card early and a synergy I had with the regional boon. Would you bash Hades if you didn't win within the first five runs? Git-gud game that's too punishing--I see you, but it's not that bad It's easier than STS, which is probably the most similar game to compare it to. After your first game or two, it's generally easy to make it to the endgame. Is the endgame hard? Yes. That is the genre. IS it brutally punishing and impossible? Definitely not. It is essentially a stat check on your deck and existing troops. Did you build well enough to defend the final waves or not? If not, no amount of APM or residual gold will save you. I think that's why people feel it is punishing. They feel like they should be able to overcome 25 rounds of bad prep with good moves. That's not how deckbuilders work. If you didn't prep for the end-game, thin your deck out, and have troops/abilities that can carry you, you are going to watch the cute little rats burn (RIP). Honestly, it's no different from any other deckbuilding rouglite I've played in that respect. All-in-all the gameplay should feel familiar with some fresh elements and a LOT of different ways to play. Definitely worth picking up if you are on the fence!