Which online board games are worth playing in 2024: a parade of hits

In the world of collectible card games (CCG), there are few projects that remain as significant as Gwent. In 2015, CD Projekt RED released it as a mini-game within The Witcher 3, and it immediately won the hearts of many fans. Soon, the concept grew into an independent project, incorporating unique elements of the Witcher universe, tactical depth and strategic complexity. But in 2024, an important question arises: is it worth returning to Gwent, or has it already become a relic of the past?

What is Gwent and what are its features: the basics of the game and mechanics

Gwent is a card game based on battles between users, where each participant uses a deck of cards representing various characters, spells and special effects. Each deck is unique and built on one of the factions, each of which has its own strategy and mechanics. The battle consists of three rounds: they represent a duel on a field divided into three lines: long-range, medium and close.

The main task of the player is to assemble his army in such a way as to defeat the enemy in two out of three rounds. Each card in Gwent has certain characteristics: attacking, cards that increase defense, and those that can disrupt the opponent’s plans – deal them unexpected blows or make their cards disappear.

The mechanics of the project have tactical depth thanks to the resource management system. Users can decide how exactly to spend their cards: go for the complete destruction of the enemy in the first round or save their strength for more difficult situations.

Connection to the Witcher universe

Gwent appeared in The Witcher 3 as a mini-game and became an integral part of the universe’s lore. Here, the cards depict characters and events that have become iconic for fans of the series. Each faction recreates unique aspects of this world: Nilfgaard is a disciplined and strategically oriented army, and the Scoia’tael are a group of wood elves fighting for freedom. This allows you to not only enjoy the exciting mechanics, but also immerse yourself in the deep world of The Witcher, which CD Projekt RED has skillfully integrated into the gameplay.

Geralt of Rivia and other famous characters have become not just cards, but important elements of the strategy: their abilities affect the course of the game, allowing you to use tactics that perfectly reflect their character and role in the world of The Witcher.

Pros: deep tactics and variability

Gwent is not just a card game, but a real strategic challenge, especially for experienced players. Thanks to the multi-layered mechanics, each match turns into a chess game, where you need to predict the opponent’s move and prepare countermeasures in advance:

1. Combo strategies: participants can combine cards with unique effects, create powerful synergies that can turn the game in their favor.
2. Many factions: from attacking to defensive, each faction in Gwent requires its own tactics. For example, in Scoia’tael, the key element is cards that take advantage of special conditions on the field, and Nilfgaard relies on espionage and the destruction of enemy cards.
3. Variety of modes: if you want to test yourself in the fight against other participants, you can go to rating matches, where every defeat and victory matters.

Graphics and design

We should not forget about the visual component of the concept. CD Projekt RED did not limit itself only to mechanics and strategy, but also paid great attention to the graphic part. Each card is a work of art. The artists put a lot of effort into conveying the atmosphere of The Witcher in detail: be it Zoltan with his unique look or the epic scene with the Wild Hunt.

In addition, the graphics in Gwent successfully convey the spirit of the game: bright, rich colors of the cards, beautiful design of the field, animations of the cards that clearly demonstrate their abilities.

Disadvantages for players: problems of balance and updates

One of the most painful aspects of the project is frequent balance changes that significantly change the meta-game. For experienced gamers, these changes can be both an interesting challenge and a cause of frustration when an already built deck turns out to be irrelevant. The update system cannot always promptly respond to complaints and suggestions of users, which causes discontent among part of the community.

Nachteile für Spieler: Balance- und Update-Probleme

Einer der schmerzhaftesten Aspekte des Projekts sind die häufigen Balance-Änderungen, die das Metaspiel erheblich verändern. Für erfahrene Spieler können diese Änderungen sowohl eine interessante Herausforderung als auch eine Quelle der Frustration sein, wenn sich ein bereits erstelltes Deck als irrelevant herausstellt. Das Update-System kann nicht immer zeitnah auf Beschwerden und Vorschläge der Benutzer reagieren, was bei einem Teil der Community zu Unzufriedenheit führt.

The Impact of the Monetization System

Monetization in Gwent has become more pronounced in recent years. Although the game is still free, the system of purchasing cards and upgrading your collection continues to be problematic for newcomers. Unlocking new cards and factions requires time or financial investment, which can be a turn-off for those who are not ready to invest in the project.

For some participants, the resource scheme can be complex: rare cards require serious effort or funds to obtain. However, for those who are ready to patiently develop their collection, there are enough ways to develop for free.

Is Gwent worth playing in 2024 and who is the game suitable for?

The answer to this question depends on the user’s attitude to card games and the Witcher universe. If you are just getting acquainted with the genre, the project will offer rich and exciting mechanics with the ability to quickly get up to speed thanks to an easy start and plenty of training materials.

For veterans of card battles, Gwent will open up true tactical depth, with many factions, cards, and strategies. Here you can not only “play”, but also become a real master.

Conclusion

Summarizing all the advantages and disadvantages of the concept, it can be said that Gwent continues to be a unique project in the world of CCGs. In 2024, despite the changes and problems with monetization, the game remains attractive due to its deep mechanics, beautiful design and undeniable lore associated with the Witcher. The project can attract both new players and experienced strategists.

Try it yourself and decide whether it is worth playing Gwent in 2024.

If you had the opportunity to travel in time, which period would you choose? Many would go to the 1930s — an era of change, mysticism and elegance. Book of Hours is a board game that gives you a chance not only to feel the atmosphere of those years, but to literally find yourself inside history itself. What makes it so special?

The uniqueness of Book of Hours: a brief excursion into the atmosphere of the 1930s

The whole charm of Book of Hours lies in the deep immersion in the 30s. A time when humanity rocked to the rhythm of swing and inhaled the aromas of progress. The Earth was then between two world wars, the economy was recovering, and people were striving for freedom and enjoyment of life. This period becomes the central element of the scenario, around which all events and interactions are built.

Book of Hours brings to life the atmosphere that permeates every game mechanic — from the design of the cards to the music that sounds like it’s coming from an old radio. Users are immersed in a world where every detail reveals the spirit of the times: muted colors, jazz melodies, and endless mysteries that fill forgotten corners of libraries.

The story of Book of Hours

The project did not appear by chance. The developers drew inspiration from books, mystical folklore, and, of course, libraries. It all started with the idea of ​​creating a board game that would not just be entertainment, but a deep journey into the world of mysteries and ancient relics. Inspired by great literary works like Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose, the authors decided to immerse players in exploratory adventures.

The library is the central element in Book of Hours. It is not just a backdrop, but a living place full of secrets and unexplored books that can change the course of the plot. The task is not just to read pages, but to literally live the story, encounter mysticism, and solve complex riddles.

Gameplay and features of the Book of Hours game

The gameplay of the project is based on a combination of strategic decisions and intuitive actions, where each move affects the development of the plot. The main elements are the study of old manuscripts, interaction with characters and the collection of rare artifacts.

The game mechanics allow you to feel like a researcher of the past, who slowly but surely reveals the secrets of forgotten books. Users must monitor time limits, make decisions under pressure and solve quests that add depth and variety to the atmosphere of the 1930s. All this works together to immerse the participant in history and give a sense of real adventure.

Mechanics that enhance the atmosphere:

1. Study and cataloguing of rare artifacts: players collect and analyze ancient objects that contain clues and keys to uncovering the secrets of the game. Each artifact requires a special approach – not just collecting, but working on recreating hidden meanings and events of the past.
2. Interactive quests tied to a timeline of events: participants have to follow the timeline and look for moments that are connected to certain events in the past. A missed quest or a wrong decision can change the outcome, so attention to detail and the sequence of events is vital.
3. A limited number of moves forces you to carefully consider your actions and strategies. Each decision must be weighed, because participants feel the pressure of time, which creates a tense atmosphere, reminding you of the importance of each moment. This adds realism to what is happening and makes each interaction meaningful.
4. Immersion in the library of secrets: users spend time in a huge library, exploring its mysterious corners, finding forgotten books and unraveling long-forgotten secrets.
5. Implementation of moral choice: in the process, there are often situations that require making moral decisions. Each choice affects the development of the plot and the attitude of other characters, which creates a feeling of deep role-playing interaction and emotional involvement.

Role-playing elements and interaction with the world

Role-playing elements make Book of Hours a truly lively game. Each participant chooses a hero, who has his own characteristics, skills and weaknesses. One can masterfully solve riddles, another can gain access to secret locations thanks to his connections.

Every action affects the plot and the development of events. Solving mysteries requires teamwork, where players share the clues they find and try to connect all the threads of the story together. Role-playing elements create a unique sense of immersion – the events and actions of the user do not just affect the game, they literally create it.

Why you should play Book of Hours

This is not just a board game – a portal to the past, full of mysticism and secrets. The unique atmosphere makes you plunge into history, and completing quests is exciting and leaves a feeling of personal participation in a real adventure. Each decision that is made has consequences, and this makes the passage unpredictable and exciting.

The Book of Hours setting literally gets into your bones, making you feel like you are part of this world. Players are immersed in events where each riddle carries a piece of history. The storytelling is masterfully constructed – it captivates and holds interest, each action becomes part of a grand mosaic that gradually comes together as you progress.

Board games and unique elements of Book of Hours

Most projects offer a similar experience – either strategic thinking or a gripping story, but Book of Hours manages to combine all of this together. It offers strategy, role-playing interaction, and atmospheric immersion in the spirit of the 1930s.

Other board games rarely reach such a level of detail. Here, every element is thought out to the smallest detail: from the visual style of the cards to the soundtrack, every aspect of the work on the project emphasizes its uniqueness.

Conclusion

Book of Hours is a work of art in the world of board games. It creates an experience that you want to repeat again and again. The atmosphere allows you to feel like a part of the past, become an explorer and dive into the secrets hidden behind the veil of time. The concept is worked out to the smallest detail, which makes it exciting and thrilling.

These emotions that remain after the game cannot be described – they can only be experienced. Book of Hours is an opportunity to feel history at your fingertips and lose yourself in mystical adventures that leave a mark in your memory.