XenoShyft

I would give this a Neutral score if i could.. The game is probably very good and fun as a physical board/card game. It feels like it has a lot of good ideas baked into it. It is a bit clunky in this PC version, sometimes you click and try to use an ability and it doesnt work and then you click again and waste the ability.. sometimes you try to zoom a card to read the text and it doesnt work.. you waste time by clicking several times. stuff like that. It doesnt feel very smooth. But the ruleset is pretty good, so if you want a challenging/difficult to beat card game with somewhat short sessions.. and you dont mind the yank. Then yeah.

Ich bin so froh, dass ich das Spiel für 2,50€ digital und nicht für 50€ analog gekauft habe. Es gibt viel zu wenig Inhalte -wie Triggerpunkte für Effekte, Effekte, Truppenvariationen, Kombis- und wie man gewinnt ist nach dem Tutorial, einem Spiel auf normal und 2 Versuchen auf schwer rausgefunden. Die Erweiterungen bringen keinen tatsächlichen neuen Inhalt. Für ein 2,50€ Sale voll okay aber im Prinzip nichts für echte Spieler.

This game seems to work fine on M1 silicon macs

Если начать с разговора о оригинальной игре, то она классная в механиках и визуале. Происходящее в ней можно сравнить с фильмом "звёздный десант" Сама игрушка сложная, тут есть элемент случайности, как например набор ресурсов в начале раунда и формирование магазина в начале игры. Зато потом нужно будет использовать смекалку, чтобы максимально эффективно использовать свои ресурсы и спланировать оборону. В игре на несколько фронтов (в одиночке на несколько дивизий или с друзьями) будет чуть проще, в зависимости от выбора девизии и слаженности, но иногда может идти игра и совсем просто с хорошей командой. Специально для этого есть дополнение HIVE expansion. Если говорить про порт, он местами кривоват, к этому можно привыкнуть, но по началу будут некоторые нелепость, как например случайное начало фазы планировки, без возможности вернуться к фазе закупки. Так же иногда не хватает отмены действия в сомой обороне, как например случайно не вовремя использована аптечка превращается из-за этого в зря потраченные ксенокристаллы. В целом игра классная, учитывая что на пк она в разы дешевле, чем в оригинальном настольном виде. Лично я рекомендую.

XenoShyft is a cooperative deck-building strategy game developed by CMON and published digitally by Twin Sails Interactive, bringing the structure and tension of a tabletop experience into an accessible digital format. Set within a bleak sci-fi universe, the game places players in the role of NorTec Corporation commanders tasked with defending an isolated base from relentless waves of alien creatures known as the Brood. Rather than focusing on exploration or narrative-driven progression, XenoShyft centers entirely on survival. The objective is clear and unforgiving: withstand nine escalating rounds of increasingly dangerous enemies by managing resources, deploying troops, and coordinating defensive strategies with precision. The core gameplay loop revolves around card-driven tactical decisions. Each player controls a specific division within the base, such as the Armory, Med Bay, Science Lab, or Command Center. These divisions are not merely cosmetic distinctions; each comes with unique abilities, card pools, and strategic roles that influence how a session unfolds. During each round, players recruit and equip troops, assign upgrades, and prepare for incoming waves. Once combat begins, enemies are revealed and resolved through card mechanics that simulate defensive engagements. The challenge lies in balancing immediate survival with long-term resource management. Spending too aggressively early may leave you vulnerable later, while excessive caution can allow the Brood to overwhelm defenses before the endgame. One of the defining strengths of XenoShyft is its emphasis on cooperation. While the game can be played solo with AI-controlled divisions, its design shines most in multiplayer sessions where players discuss tactics, share resources, and coordinate defensive efforts. Decisions about who receives critical equipment, when to deploy powerful support cards, or how to distribute healing can determine the difference between survival and collapse. This shared responsibility creates moments of tension and collaboration that reflect the spirit of cooperative board gaming. Communication and synergy are not optional—they are essential. Visually, the game embraces a dark, militaristic science fiction aesthetic. The card art features heavily armored soldiers, grotesque alien adversaries, and industrial environments that reinforce the feeling of a desperate last stand. While the presentation remains largely static, focusing on card layouts and combat resolutions rather than animated spectacle, the artwork provides strong thematic cohesion. The interface is clean and functional, ensuring that the complexity of card interactions remains manageable. Sound design complements the atmosphere with subtle ambient effects and tense audio cues, though it remains secondary to the strategic focus. Replayability is another important element of XenoShyft’s design. The order and composition of enemy waves vary between sessions, and card availability can shift based on division selection and random draws. This variability prevents the game from becoming overly predictable, forcing players to adapt strategies rather than rely on a single optimal formula. Additional content and expansions introduce new divisions and enemies, expanding tactical possibilities for those who invest further into the ecosystem. The difficulty curve remains consistently demanding, rewarding players who learn to anticipate threats and optimize synergy across divisions. However, the game’s complexity can be a barrier for newcomers. Without familiarity with deck-building concepts or cooperative planning, early sessions may feel punishing. Enemy waves can escalate rapidly, and poor coordination can snowball into unavoidable defeat. The digital adaptation maintains much of the original board game’s intensity, which means that success requires patience, learning, and sometimes repeated attempts. For some players, this difficulty adds to the sense of accomplishment. For others, it may feel unforgiving. Ultimately, XenoShyft stands as a thoughtful and strategic cooperative experience that faithfully translates board game mechanics into digital form. It prioritizes tactical planning, teamwork, and resource management over flashy presentation or narrative immersion. While it may not appeal to players seeking fast-paced action or cinematic storytelling, it offers a deeply engaging challenge for those who enjoy calculated decision-making and collaborative strategy. For fans of cooperative card-based defense games and methodical gameplay, XenoShyft delivers a tense and rewarding battle against overwhelming odds. Rating: 6/10

As a single player experience, this game is excellent. The card game mechanics are very well designed and balanced, and the art and music give it a cool Starship Troopers vibe. You can set up a skirmish with one division that can be finished in less than 45 minutes, or an epic battle with four divisions that could take several hours to complete. This is one of those games where mastery of the various mechanics and the ability to do simple arithmetic in your head makes a big difference: "Is there any way I can scrape together enough damage points to destroy this enemy before it attacks and kills my base? Let's see ... if I use a grenade for three points ... plus a special attack from my storm troopers for two points ... plus an artillery strike for another four points ... YES!!!" The game is filled with interesting and meaningful decisions both in the deckbuilding/planning phase and in the combat phase. I managed to beat it with all eight divisions, and while some of them are a little stronger than others, they are all viable if you learn how to play them effectively. I can't speak for the multiplayer (heard that it's broken, don't really care) but don't let that put you off from enjoying this as a single player game.

Интересный кооперативный колодострой. Довольно свежо выглядит механика с усовершенствованием стартовых карт в колоде. Как и в любом колодострое через пару раундов эти карты становятся мусорными, но не здесь. Условно, карты урона можно с руки жертвовать за скидку для приобретения более сильной карты урона, которая сразу идёт в руку. Карты ресурсов так же после третьего раунда начинают улучшаться. И да, карты ресурсов здесь не приобретаются. В остальном процесс выглядит следующим образом. Каждый раунд смотрим что пришло в руку, смотрим что осталось на линии и исходя из этого закупаемся картами войск и картами экипировки, которые к этим войскам применяем. Далее случайно выкладываются 3-4 карты противников из стопки в зависимости от уровня наплыва и происходит бой с приминением всех свойств, как ваших войск, так и войск противника. Рекомендую приобретать игру сразу в делюкс бандле с четырьмя допами. Без них разнообразия в партиях будет ну уж очень мало. И в заключение хочется поблагодарить разработчиков за толковый и грамотно выстроенный режим обучения, после которого ты входишь в игру с полным пониманием правил и механик. Тот редкий случай в цифровых настолках, когда после прохождения обучения не понадобилось лезть перечитывать печатные правила.

This is a game. It is enjoyable, though there is a lot of clicking 'n stuff.

Science Lab, that's all you need. The other division helpless on its own, they need support division to win the run. Text is hard to read, there's not many card in the game...so it's okay to read with small eye and memorize it for later run.

Online play does not work, refunded