Few could have anticipated the level of success Hearthstone would achieve, even if trading card games like Magic The Gathering are as popular as ever. Who would want to play with digital cards when these kinds of games are best played with actual cards, right? As it turns out, a lot of people would.
What’s interesting is that Hearthstone is far from being the first digital trading card game. Even so, it’s the first to draw in such a huge amount of players and keep them coming back for more. Since Blizzard obviously knows what it takes to make an addicting game, it’s not a bad idea to analyze what exactly sets Hearthstone apart from the rest and makes it one of the most popular games today.
It’s Easy To Pick Up And Play
When you compare Magic the Gathering and Hearthstone, two similar trading card games, you’ll notice that they are both very fun to play and have plenty of depth. However, if you were to ask which of these is most likely to be played by younger players or people that aren’t familiar with card games, the answer is Hearthstone. Boasting a low entry point, and gameplay that even a five-year old can understand, there are few people who would be overwhelmed by Blizzard’s card game.
On the other hand, Magic the Gathering requires players to know a lot of different rules, mechanics, and so on (not to mention studying which cards are legal in tournaments). There’s nothing wrong with that, but it does raise the entry point, which is why more people stick around after trying Hearthstone their first time.
It’s Free-To-Play
While most free-to-play games these days offer a watered-down version that requires you to pay to get the full experience, Hearthstone can be enjoyed without ever paying a cent. You are more than welcome to spend actual currency to buy new card packs, but rarely (if ever) will you feel at a disadvantage if you don’t.
This is because Hearthstone allows you to buy card packs simply by playing the game. It may take longer to get new cards this way, but there are no special cards you can get only by spending real money.
Games Are Short
Do you happen to have 10 or 15 minutes to kill and want to get a game of Hearthstone in? No problem. Blizzard designed their card game to be fast-paced and easy to get started, which means you can play whenever you have a dozen or so minutes. This is different from most other card games that require long sessions to complete a single game.
Short games are also great because you feel like you got more out of the time you spent playing. By getting three or four games in an hour, you’ll have more fun and earn more in-game currency than if you had played one hour-long game.
Opening Card Packs Is Fun
Blizzard has managed to make the event of opening card packs just as fun as it is with actual cards. With fingers crossed, you open one up hoping to see at least one or more cards that will greatly improve one of your decks. Of course, when you spot that very rare card, you can’t help but jump for joy.
Worth mentioning is that Hearthstone is also well-designed in terms of letting you see your collection of cards and setting up decks. This matches the fun of real card games in that you’re able to spend time simply admiring your awesome collection.
You Can Play It On Your iPad Or Android Tablet
Although most would argue that the best way to play Hearthstone is on your computer, there’s nothing quite like laying in bed and having a few awesome matches. The fact that all you’re doing is tapping cards instead of more demanding control inputs only serves to make this the perfect game while relaxing.
Of course, it’s also great that you can play while on the go, especially if you spend a lot of time outside your home or commuting. Whether you’re hanging out at a coffee shop, or enjoying your lunch break, a game of Hearthstone is only a few taps away.
[su_note]Want a future in games? Learn more about the School of Game Design at the New York Film Academy (campuses in New York and Los Angeles).[/su_note]
