Heart of Crown

Heart of Crown never gave me the feeling that it wanted to do anything radical or new—not even for its 2011 Asian version. It is, quite simply, a Dominion-clone deckbuilder. Still, the manga theme is a nice bonus: it gives it a distinct look on the table and an identity that makes it more pleasant than a completely colourless copy.

At its core, it follows the familiar rhythm of a Dominion-style deckbuilder: you gradually build your deck with cards that strengthen your options. It does not try to hide its influences, but it adds a little more complexity than its obvious reference point.

How lively a game becomes depends quite a lot on the particular set of cards in use. With certain combinations, a properly good game can emerge, leaving room for more interesting decisions and play that does not remain stuck in the basic, predictable deckbuilding routine.

If you already own other deckbuilders, I would not tell you that you absolutely need to look toward Heart of Crown. But if you are a fan of the genre, or simply have not had your fill of it yet, it is an honest and good recommendation—with its manga presentation serving as a pleasant extra.