Last week saw WWG release the latest update to Star Realms. This update introduced the Frontiers expansion (“Adds 45 new ships & bases and double ally abilities!”) to the game. Something I’d been looking forward to. Mainly because despite having the actual physical cards I’d not managed to get them to the table. I can’t remember when I last played the game in the real world.

When you look at the update details on the iOS App Store there is no warning that the update will wipe any existing games. Apparently on Android there is, and a warning was also pushed out as a message. Some will argue that there was a warning on Facebook and the games official blog. I’m going to assume on other social media also. But like many we had missed those warnings. Which is easy to do. In fact a lot people didn’t know an update was dropping until it appeared. I normally look at the apps update details in the App Store to see what has been changed (see image above). So it’s inexcusable that there was no such warning on the iOS update. Naturally I lost the majority of my ongoing games.

I am liking the new cards. And a lot of my current games (initially anyway) have been with just this expansion (all others switched off). Which is natural because players of the game want to play with the new cards. It’s true here as it is in any other card game.

However there is one annoying thing about some of the new cards. The graphic design of the icons that tell you the cards abilities such as attack, authority, or gold is awful and sticks out like a sore thumb. The basic problem is it’s too large, and looks odd when viewed against other cards. It comes across as childlike to me, and that they would be more at home in a version of the game aimed at young children or those with poor eyesight.

And now for the viewing pleasure of the handful of folks that watch these videos, here is a recent game using the Frontiers expansion.

How many games did you get wiped? What do you think of the new cards?

Scott (of Scott Plays) and I just finished a game of Star Realms. It was a pretty good game, despite me (spoiler) losing.

Besides as our brief after game exchange shows, it didn’t take much to persuade me to put the video up. Laziness would have been the deciding factor otherwise.

I really did think I had the game in the bag. But just watch that come back.

So for your viewing delight (if you are remotely interested) here is the game we played.

Unlucky for you all I enjoy putting these Star Realms videos up.

Sometimes the games seem just run of the mill, but still enjoyable. Then other times the game just stands out as one of those games that you will bore non-players with constant retellings of. They won’t have the foggiest what you are talking about, but will nod politely, make the odd comment such as “no way” or “then what did you do?” to feign interest. All the time thinking “god will you just shut up already, I need to go to the toilet” (it’s a similar reaction for when I bore folks talking about MtG).

This is one of those games. After the game, within seconds Scott was messaging me to say this game was definitely one for the blog. A day or two later than planned but who am I to disappoint?

You can visit Scott on his YouTube channel Scott Plays HERE.

How long have I been playing this game? The stats in the app say it all really. Not an amazing win percentage.

But still I love the game, whether it’s the digital version or the physical version (not played nearly often enough).

I try and post gameplay that stands out in some way from my regular games. This one gets a bit crazy in the later stages.

I had to put this up. Especially after coming off a run of bad results (code for my butt was being handed to me).

The game starts off normally, and then the authority gain goes through the roof, as does the base and outposts tactic.

Then look at the finishing blow, it’s a huge hit.

I hope you like the game.

Here we are once more with another video of game play from the Star Realms app. This time I win a game that 9 out of 10 times I lose.

Yesterday as part of his great series of YouTube videos on his favourite game mechanics, my favourite game designer Jamey Stegmaier did a video on Star Realms. Which I’ve embedded below for your viewing delight.

There is so much I enjoy about Star Realms. It’s definitely a game that gives you moments to remember, “that time I came back from 1 authority when Freddy had over 60, and won” or “that perfect game against Scott” (recent video evidence was put up to support this) or “that time I did over 50 damage”. You get the idea.

Mechanics wise not mentioned by Jamey I love the gambit, hero and event cards. With the right combo of cards between gambits and events as the first player it’s possible to have an insane first turn buying an 8 cost card in the trade row. The gambits give you that feeling of uniqueness almost, a special ability/bonus you can use during your turn at any point in the game. But events, they appear in the trade row, and when they do have to be resolved right away. I love the randomness they give. They can swing a turn from average to amazing, change the game, the impact they have is awesome. Hero cards are like gambit cards really, except you have to buy them from the trade row. That’s over simplified them. But Heroes and Gambits add a dimension of decision making that is very nice, when to play the card.

Here is a video I’ve just put up of a game that finished last night between Scott (of Scott Plays) and myself that I think shows how enjoyable the game is. It really was a fun game. We were trading blows like giants standing toe to toe taking it in turns to hit each other.

One word of warning Jamey 30 plus authority is not safe in this game. It’s very easy to hit an opponent for 30 or more damage in a turn. I’ve definitely hit with damage in the forties. Possibly, my memory is failing me here I’ve hit in the low fifties too. I’ve been on the receiving end of these massive hits too.

I’d be interested in seeing what Jamey thinks of Epic, and Hero Realms.