Faeria | PS4 Review

There are a couple of things that Faeria had going for it that drew my immediate attention. It was a CCG (collectible card game), and it had impressive fantasy artwork. Two things I find crucial to attracting a new crowd of genre dedicated gamers. After having sat down, and played through the initial tutorial missions, and the missions beyond it became clear that not only was this a CCG in the vein of Magic the Gathering, or HEX, but that it harbored it's own unique battlefield mechanics similar to that of Hearthstone. Something that requires the strategic placing of cards that have base attributes tied to life, and attack points. Factor in the MTG card functions and features, and you've got Faeria.

Faeria, the game, is named after it's own unique energy or mana source. Something you will be farming in order to play lands, and cards. It features four different land types as per elements/terrain, and gives the player multiple choices as how they wish to spend their turn. That turn being dependent on the capturing, and farming of the wells of Faeria. 

The playing field of Faeria is setup much like a small honeycomb with initially blank hexagons spanning the space between the two player's life orbs. At either end of the playing field, top and bottom, are the player health indicators. To each of the four side corners between said player health orbs lie Faeria wells that can be captured by first placing lands leading up to them, and then placing a creature card adjacent to the well. With each new turn captured wells will bring Faeria that can be spent on cards that have certain cost requirements. Coinciding with that feature are lands that will benefit certain card types that adhere to the four terrains mechanic. Placing mountains, lakes, forests, or skies will allow you to not only play different creature types that require those lands to play, but will also open up additional perks per the card's action features. Utilizing the strategic placing of lands, and cards to get to the other player's health orb is the main goal. By doing so you can attack that orb, and end the game when the player's health count is fully depleted. 

Between all that you will have to deal with different card types that will impede progress in some form or fashion. You can expect artifact cards, spell cards, and creature cards in the mix among other things. Creature cards all have a certain attack number, and health number. Placing them in battle against enemy creatures will deplete health accordingly, and destroy any creature card with negative health. Additionally creature cards do not regenerate health though certain spells or creature cards can refill/enhance that total. You'll even encounter cards with special abilities that will change the flow of battle making you prioritize who or what you deal with first due to the additional threat. For example there is a card that can knock a player's health count down to one if it reaches, and attacks the opposing player's health orb. Supposing the opposing players stop it first it will do the dealer that same kind of damage. 

There's a lot of ways to approach each match in Faeria even though the base mechanics are simple. The fact that cards carry with them MTG inspired abilities makes the engagement more than just a "play the card on certain tiles to win" ordeal. You'll want to prioritize capturing wells first, laying the additional lands you need to lay afterwards, and dealing with what stands between you, and the player's health orb last. One thing to understand is that you can play either two neutral lands per turn, or one themed land. After having played neutral lands though you can go back, and change them to themed lands. There's that, and what you can do per turn. Each turn affords you two base actions. Playing lands, and moving creature cards that were placed last turn. That or playing other cards that effect those creature cards or players. Along with the land playing options you can opt instead to gain +1 Faeria, or draw a card. How you use your land turn is up to you, but initially you will want to beat the opposing player to the wells, and setup creature defenses. 

In the way of gameplay options you will be using cards you earn to build, and add to starter decks that you unlock by completing offline missions. The decks you can build are themed according to the four land types much like MTG's own land orientation. There are single themed decks, and multi-themed decks to build, and choose from. As you beat the AI at matches, and puzzles that require getting things done in a certain way you will also be awarded XP. The XP point system unlocks avatars, wells, life orbs, and other cosmetics that you can change for a visual appeal. Some of the unlocks do require certain in-game feats though, and are more about bragging rights for pulling off exceptional plays and victories. As far as monetization goes you can also buy cosmetics as well as decks in a fashion that's similar to the HEX way of doing things. Those really invested will also have a chance at playing for a prize pool of  $10,000. Again, this is similar to the HEX setup where you'll play ranked matches at allotted times to compete. Speaking of which the game is wholly server reliant. Meaning that it will require online access to play. Not only that but you will have to initially agree to their terms of service, and have your PlayStation account ID connected to the game. 

The Verdict ...

I might be jumping the gun on this one, but from what I've played I really do like Faeria. It's a fun little strategy game with lots to do each day. The strategy aspect, and accompanying mechanics work well together, but do seemingly leech off of other similar games, inspiration-wise. Visually it's a beautiful CCG experience with cool animations, artwork, and special effects that give it an identity all it's own. I think it is a game worth getting into, but only if you are truly invested in it, and the gamble thereof. There's going to be a lot dependent on Faeria's life span. Whether or not enough people join in is a huge if. That and how well the developer deals with arising cheat issues in the tournament scene will be the determining factor as whether or not it succeeds. For now though it's something new with potential. For now I give it the okay! Just know that Faeria is offered as a base game for $19.99, or an inclusive bundle in the $59.99 - $89.99 range. Each including additional perks, and DLC.