'Cross Blitz' Impressions
After an early access run, indie developer Tako Boy Studios LLC has recently released v1.0 of its deckbuilder, Cross Blitz, on Steam. I’ve spent some time with the full version and will be sharing some thoughts in this article.
What if pirates didn’t face off in simple physical combat but, rather, duked it out in crucial card battles? This is the reality of Cross Blitz’s universe, and you get to explore it, one card battle after another, all in tune with groovy sea shanty-inspired soundtrack.
The game offers two modes of pirate-themed card battles: Fables and Tusk Tales.
Fables is more akin to a ‘story mode’ which follows the story of a hero of your choice from an anthropomorphic crew. There are five different storylines to choose from, with over 30 hours of swashbuckling adventures. You move across varied and often colourful maps, interacting with NPCs and facing some in battle. The narrative is a lighthearted one, but it also has its touching moments.
Tusk Tales is Cross Blitz’s roguelite mode. In it, you progress across a randomised map while aiming to reach the final boss. It lets you recruit 20 new mercenaries to join your crew, and adds replay value with its randomised elements.
Both modes feature similar deckbuilding mechanics. You engage in one-on-one card battles with a deck of 30 cards, which includes a mix of minions, spells and traps. You start with 20 life points and a hand of 5 cards. Each turn, you get to draw a card.
To play a card, you have to use the corresponding amount of mana. You gain one mana per turn, and your mana gauge fills up at the start of each. When playing a card, the mana cost will be automatically deducted, and you can place the card on the field if it is a minion card.
The positioning of your cards on the 4x4 board (half of which is yours) matters in this game. You can have a direct attack if an opponent's minion doesn't obstruct your own in the same line. The same applies to your side of the field, so your minions act as a defence wall.
If your minion deals damage to the opponent’s minion but doesn’t exceed the latter’s defence points, the damage dealt will permanently lower that card’s defence points.
Other than minions, you can make use of trap cards that activate when certain conditions are met or play spells whose effects activate instantly. These effects range from letting you draw another card to dealing damage to all minions on the field.
Encounters are very strategic and can get quite elaborate. From the placement of your minions to synergising combos, the mechanics can get quite complex. Your opponents will also leverage this complexity. This leads to interesting and even challenging interactions that can later serve as inspiration for your own strategies.
There is also an RPG element to Cross Blitz. You acquire loot after combat, can level up your stats, and “forge” new cards. You and your opponents can equip Relics. These give passive bonuses (to you) or disadvantages (to the opponent).
There are card markets that allow you to expand your collection, allowing you to customise your own deck. You can also create new decks from over 500 in-game cards to experiment with new strategies as your collection grows.
I was positively surprised by the depth of the gameplay, as it initially felt streamlined. Indeed, having only made mobile games prior to Cross Blitz, Tako Boy Studios LLC’s mobile gaming DNA is apparent here. Not only are the cutesy, retro-inspired graphics reminiscent of handhelds of yesteryear, but the battles seem optimised for quick bouts.
So it came as a surprise that the game doesn’t feature official controller support. Cross Blitz feels right at home on a handheld like the Steam Deck and would definitely benefit from controller input.
But even without controller support, I’ve enjoyed my time with Cross Blitz. It does draw inspirations from classic TCGs like Magic the Gathering but packs its own original spin. It is easy to pick up but offers a surprising amount of depth.
I haven’t really dabbled with deckbuilders, as I prefer physical card games. However, if you are looking to get into the genre or like card games, it’s well worth checking out Cross Blitz.
