Wildfrost | Switch Review

Seeing as it's still Winter I feel it's an alright time to take a look back at one of the Switch's cooler deckbuilding roguelikes. That deckbuilding roguelike being Chucklefish's "Wildfrost". This Wintry themed indie that looks like it would be at home in an 'Adventure Time' cartoon harbors it's on art style, unique characters, and interesting mechanics. As the hero of a tribe you must face off against the opposing forces at hand in lane and turn based tactical combat on a map of branching paths filled with points of opportunity.

The game starts off with a choice between three randomly selected and named heroes of a tribe. Each hero or heroine comes with a random passive ability, health count, a cooldown based on cards played, and a damage total for when dealing damage. With this hero or heroine you will face battles, and make use of rewards and vendors that lie along the beaten path. 

Each randomized playthrough features a path of points of interest on a map that play into the game's many mechanics. You've got battles with a series of fights that lead to boss fights, treasure spots for nabbing new items or cards, a wooly vendor for buying cards or crowns using the earned currency, a card muncher for disposing of useless cards, a stop for charms, and cube machine for random upgrades. 

In the way of battle there are two lanes of opposing sides. Each player can operate only on three of each lane's card placement spots. Moving characters (travelers), pets, or support units into position will be the way in which you either win or lose. Front inner facing cards take priority in the way of damage, and defense while back row characters take on less consequences. Additionally you have action cards that can be played to activate your characters' turns. Turns themselves play out when the cards' cooldown reaches zero. Each card played reduces the cooldown on all played cards. Thus it becomes a matter of tactics, positioning, and how to best deal damage without taking it.

Card enhancement plays a huge role in the ability to see a playthrough to it's end in "Wildfrost'. This can be done by attaching charms with bonus passives, or by evolving tribe cards back at the town hub via challenges that are completed alongside a win per town hub feature. It is at the town hub that things like the tribe vendor, challenge vendor, and pet house offer a means to gain access to newly earned and optional add-ons.

These houses of interest all double as the challenge guide, and the rewards center for challenges completed. Tribes, in particular open up more tribes, and factions for committed play in the game. Each with their own gameplay gimmick in tow. Things like snowballs for slowing down attacking enemies, and spice add to the strategy at hand. At all times enemy passives must be minded alongside their base stats. The same goes for your own deck's characters and units.

Each player in the game, be it the enemy or player, has a certain amount of cards they can play and draw each turn depending on things like passives, added charm effects, and other cooperative functions. Your hand consists of six cards in total, but can be redrawn after four are played. Using this strategy, and the card muncher map vendor you can optimize your deck as you go with only the cards you want in it. You do always start off with a starting deck though, and deck space is limited.

The Presentation ...

Visually 'Wildfrost' is a cartoony delight. A Wintry version of a 2000's Saturday morning cartoon with the usual card focus, and path driven map layout. Leaving the town hub to be a static, but animated hub of operations where continued play is rewarded. Even the soundtrack has that whimsical vibe about it that you'd associate with such an art style. It is part of it's collective charm.

The Verdict ...

If you are in the Winter spirit, are stuck at home for whatever reason, and have a Nintendo Switch on hand be sure to give this timeless roguelike deckbuilder a go. It's the kind of chill experience with immense replay value that makes for a fun cozy time under the blanket. I know I'm late to the show guys, and gals, but for whatever my opinion is worth it does earn my seal of approval!