Neverland Card Battles Review: It’s In The Cards

One of the great things about video games is that, no matter what your interests are, there’s a game for you somewhere out there. Of course, for more traditional gamers, there’s your standard fare – sports, shooting, and platformers, but what if you’re not looking for something as commonplace as the new “Gears of War?” Say you really want to merge two different kinds of “gaming” together – video and card – and then mix in a bit of a tactics twist to the game, what do you do then? That recipe, while it may only appeal to picky eaters, really results in just one gaming concoction, “Neverland Card Battles.” It’s an extremely unique title which takes on the tactics meets card battles gameplay mechanic, and while “Neverland Card Battles” isn’t for everybody, it’s definitely for somebody.

Over the last few years, there have been more than a few trading card inspired video games that have been released, which draw on their real-world counterparts like Magic the Gathering to outline how to play the games. These games allow players to compete using cards for their characters and attacks, and stat crunch to see who is the victor. While traditional gamers may look like the “cool kids” to trading card gamers, those games are wildly popular, and people really do enjoy them. These are the people that really need to give “Neverland Card Battles” a try. [Continue Reading]

Neverland Card Battles Preview: It Doesn’t Get Much Nerdier Than This

I never thought I would enjoy “Bejewelled,” ever, under any circumstances… but then “Puzzle Quest” came along. I never thought I would enjoy a trading card game, and then “Neverland Card Battles” for the PSP came along. Blending familiar elements of trading card based games like Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic the Gathering with traditional RPG elements seems like an unholy union of nerdiness, but it’s actually a fun, well put together combination of two unlikely bedfellows. “NeverLand” is presented in a manner that isn’t overly complicated, where it borrows from both of the contributing genres just enough to feel familiar to fans of both, while presenting a fresh, new layer of gameplay to newcomers. And, best of all, the game allows you to play a traditionally multiplayer card based battle game solo, which offers a whole new level of appeal to someone, like myself, who wouldn’t dear openly admit that he was that nerdy to another human being.

“Neverland Card Battles” is an import-port of a Japanese-only title that was released back in 2003 for the PS2 called “Cardinal Arc.” You play as Galahad, and you have been summoned by the tomb keeper, Egma, to help save the world from the evil god Hellgaia who is trying to break out of his tomb and wreak havoc on Neverland. The reason you, and a handful of other characters – The Dominators – have been summoned is because you posses a mystical deck of Spectral Cards that were given to you by your Uncle, and they will allow you to do battle with Hellgaia’s minions.

I warned you it was going to be nerdy. [Continue Reading]