Marvel recently released Marvel Snap, a digital card game that allows users to have short battles with their favorite superheroes. The game consists of trying to win two out of three locations by getting the most power points from superhero cards.
However, as entertaining as Marvel Snap is, it could be far better. So far, the game presents some technical issues that keep fans from fully enjoying it. On top of that, Marvel Snap could be using more from the comics to make the game more interesting and balanced.
10/10 Its PC Interface Needs Work
One of the main complaints users on the internet have about Marvel Snap has to do with the software. The game, available for mobile and PC, feels a bit rushed. According to PC gamers, Marvel Snap’s user interface for the PC game isn’t properly adapted for this platform. As it’s just a copy of the mobile game, it doesn’t take advantage of the computer environment.
In addition, some users have complained that the game isn’t even available for macOS. Even if Marvel Snap is primarily a mobile game, fans would also be able to play it on their MacBooks. They’re losing players by not making the game available on more platforms.
9/10 12 Cards Aren’t Enough For A Good Deck
While a traditional TCG deck has between 40 and 60 cards, Marvel Snap only allows 12 character cards per user. This has everything to do with the fact that this is supposed to be a fast-paced game. However, players find this quite frustrating; with more space, players could make great Marvel Snap decks.
There are many interesting cards, so it’s difficult to choose only a dozen out of what’s available. Marvel Snap should take into consideration that longer games with more complex decks would make for a more exciting and entertaining duel. Players could make better strategies with at least a couple more cards on their deck.
8/10 The Game Lacks Weapons
One of the most important aspects of the Marvel Universe is its amount of weapons. The comics have some of the most powerful artifacts. If Marvel Snap wants to emulate the actual Marvel Universe, they need to pay more attention to these characteristics.
So far, most cards are character cards, except for a few items, like vibranium, rocks, or Mjolnir, but fans definitely need more. Iconic objects like All-Black the Necrosword or the Eye of Agamotto could be the key to making Marvel Snap a richer and more dynamic game. Having these weapons interact with character cards and give them power would bring the game to another level.
7/10 Some Locations Are Too OP, So They Need To Be Nerfed
Since the whole point of Marvel Snap is to conquer two out of three locations during a battle, it’s very frustrating when these locations won’t allow it. The game includes certain locations that simply make no sense. These locations trump the game or make it unbalanced.
To avoid this, there should be cards to either trump a location’s effect, change it to their benefit, or at least limit its impact. This way, a good, balanced deck would be prepared to confront these sorts of situations, which at the moment are impossible to defuse.
6/10 They Need To Reduce The Number Of Bots In The Game
The biggest complaint fans have about the game is the lack of human opponents. Since there aren’t enough players on the platform, the app usually pairs users with an AI in order to not keep them waiting. This is obvious because they typically have common first names and only use the most basic avatars available in the game.
The excess of bots completely ruins the experience. On the one hand, it makes it boring to play against no one, but on the other one, they’re programmed to win, so their strategy can be repetitive or simply impossible to defeat. The platform should allow users to decide if they want to play with bots or if they want to wait longer.
5/10 The Game Should Take Advantage Of Personal Relationships Between Characters
The whole point of the Marvel Universe is that heroes battle villains and sometimes other heroes. They team up, have fall-outs, and even change moral alignment. However, Marvel Snap reduces them to a number and, if lucky, an effect that somewhat emulates their abilities in the comics, but this isn’t enough.
The game should take advantage of the actual relationships between characters. For example, everyone knows the Green Goblin is Spider-Man’s archenemy, so pitting them against each other should have a particular influence in the battle. The same can be said about having the four members of the Fantastic Fours in a single location. This would make the game far more entertaining for comic fans, and the game is wasting the possibility of genuinely great Marvel character cards.
4/10 It’s Almost Impossible To Strategize In Six Turns
Card games are mostly a matter of strategy. The whole point is to analyze available resources and then use them in the most convenient way to defeat the opponent. Unfortunately, Marvel Snap barely gives the player time to prepare a strategy, as every battle only has six turns (or seven if Limbo appears on the board).
Marvel Snap creators take pride in creating a fast-paced card game that doesn’t take much time from the players. Ironically, this is one of its most significant issues. On one side, this makes the game very repetitive soon, but additionally, the true joy of the TGC game comes from setting up and executing a plan. On the same note, the limitations in energy forbid players from actually using their resources.
3/10 Variant Cards Should Bring Something Else To The Table
Besides the card duels, Marvel Snap allows players to collect their favorite cards and variants. Generally, the store has six characters available daily that players can buy with either gold or credits. These variants reference different Marvel aesthetics, such as pixel art and Skottie Young’s work.
The problem with variants is that they do absolutely nothing, even though they cost money. No matter how expensive, their effects are the same as their basic version. Although it’s good the game isn’t Pay To Win, it’s still pure money-grabbing.
2/10 A Lot Of Things Shouldn’t Depend On The Algorithm
Since it is a digital game, Marvel Snap ensures to do as much as possible for the players: dealing the cards, setting up the table, and even keeping track of their punctuation. While this is obviously comfortable, it becomes problematic when the game takes it upon itself to make strategic decisions.
For example, the X-Mansion takes a card from each player’s hands and plays it wherever it wants. Furthermore, one of the worst Marvel Snap locations, Ego, takes control of the game, and players only watch it happen. This is frustrating because it leaves much of the game to pure luck. The game should consider giving more control and options to the players instead of relying on random gimmicks.
1/10 The Game Should Become A Traditional TCG
Since its release, Marvel Snap has only been a digital game. Its creators announced that they plan to keep it this way because it would make it a more accessible game. However, making it all digital takes a great part of the fun for collectors.
Marvel Snap should consider making the game physical so it can be a traditional TCG. Considering how wide the Marvel Universe is and how popular it has become thanks to the MCU, this game has the potential to be just as renowned as Pokémon TCG. It would be a great decision to keep the game both physical and digital.
