Deserves a Chance
A lot of people complain that the meta is too strong and too oppressive. It's a valid complaint, but also depends wildly on the format. Right now, aside from kewl tune, most of the "top decks" are very beatable, like branded, dracotail, or mystical space typhoon. As proof, I used a p.u.n.k. deck to make it to the North America World Championship Regional Qualifier stage. Of course, getting destroyed by a meta deck while you're playing your favorite pet deck is not a good feeling. The problem resides in the fact that some people (only some) are using meta decks in the lower ranks. I once played in bronze 5 and my opponent slammed down an entire mitsurugi combo. In the end, I think it is a little unfair to blame Master Duel for why the game is the way it is. Master Duel is merely a platform that mirrors what the real TCG is like. Simply from a design standpoint, Master Duel is incredible. The UI is amazing, the graphics are amazing, the music is fantastic, and it is truly a free to play game. I have not spent a single dollar on the game and can still have meta decks and fun decks to play with my friends. People who complain about meta decks forget that you don't need to play ranked. There is a solo mode, casual mode, and if you have friends, you can play with them. Compared to Pokemon TCG Live, Master Duel is s++ product. Yugioh TCG is a very fast paced game, but it doesn't have to be. If you're frustrated about Master Duel, I encourage you to experience the IRL Yugioh TCG with friends, as it is a whole other experience. I said earlier that Master Duel mirrors the Yugioh TCG, but I will concede that Master Duel has a much more toxic banlist than the TCG. For one, Maxx C is legal and so is Baronne de Fleur to name the more famous ones (those cards are banned in the TCG). However, Master Duel is super generous to starting players. At the start of the game, you get 3000 gems I'm pretty sure. You can use 500 gems to buy a structure deck in game. Master Duel has Red Dragon Archfiend, Raidraptors, and Sharks as structure decks, which are all super solid options. Most people in the lower ranks are also not playing meta decks, so you don't need to worry about that. While I won't say the game is completely flawless, it is nonetheless the best TCG simulator I've played and deserves a chance.
UI: 10/10
Free to Play Level: 9/10
Soundtrack: 12/10
Banlist: 6/10
Overall Enjoyability: 8/10
