BattleForge

• CPU: 1.8 GHz single-core
• RAM: 512 MB ​​( XP), 1 GB ( Vista)
• Graphics card: ATI Radeon 9500, NVIDIA GeForce 6 Series with 256MB of video RAM
• DirectX 9.0c
• 5-10 GB of free hard disk space

BattleForge is developed by EA Phenomic real-time strategy game. As a full- price title first published on 26 March 2009, the business model was changed from 26 May 2009 Free-to -play and made ​​the program available as a free download. The free version contains less trading cards, so that money is earned through the sale of additional cards. BattleForge used since an update in September 2009 as the first game, the graphics interface DirectX 11 In September 2013 gave operators Electronic Arts, the task of gaming operations for October 31, 2013 known.

• 2.1 retail version
• 2.2 Play4Free

Gameplay

In BattleForge is an "online strategy game ". That is, the game is mostly designed to be played in multiplayer mode. However, there is also the possibility to play solo. An Internet connection is still required.

The gameplay of Battle Forge is extremely unusual. The player builds are not, as in real-time strategy games usual, a base on, in which he recruited troops. The game is more of a mix of trading cards and real-time strategy game.

The player can, assemble from the cards that he has a deck, which may include a maximum of 20 cards. Each of the cards represents either a unit, a spell, or a building. If the player has collected enough resources, he may play that card, and this then appears on the battlefield as the unit, the building, or the spells that are shown on the map. The developers want to achieve so that the game becomes more dynamic, as the units can be summoned directly where they are needed, and have not only to deal with a long way from the base to the site.

Fractions

In BattleForge, there are four elements: Fire, Frost, Nature and Shadow. Each of them plays differently. The fire cards consist mostly of cards, deal out much damage, and are therefore intended for an aggressive attack strategy. The fraction Frost is on the other hand, a defensive style of play, as it also provides many defense towers among others. Nature cards represent especially herbal cards, so magic, buildings, and also units that can restore the life points of friendly forces. The fraction shadow is meant for risk-loving players, there are, for example, shadow maps, permanently lose life points. However, the player is able to use cards of the various fractions in a deck.

Mixing decks

There are the mixed fractions:

• Edition 2 Stonekin ( Nature / Frost ) Bandits (shadow / fire)
• Edition 3 twilight ( nature / fire) Lost Souls ( Shadow / Frost )
• Edition 4 PREVIEW decks contained a (shadow / nature ) map [ Amii Phantom ] The Hinsch can let it will be available when appear the Amii Edition, Amii * mixed fraction, but no (fire / frost) have been published maps.
• Amii edition was published on 26/04/2012.

Resources

Similar to the classic real- time strategy games, the player needed resources to play its cards. It requires, for each card, a different amount of energy, which is indicated on the card as required. Energy is also used to use special abilities of units, or to build walls on the map at predetermined locations. This energy is obtained in the so-called power wells that can build on predetermined locations on the battlefield of the players. The player starts already with two to three generators. The erection of additional generators will cost the player 100 energy. As soon as a generator has been taken, it produces energy for the owner.

Another innovative feature is the energy system of BattleForge mainly because the energy that is consumed, is not completely lost. Thus, flow 90 % of the energy back into the so-called void power supply. The stock then turn flows slowly back into the usable energy pool. The more void power was collected, the faster is the reflux. It should be noted that the energy only at the moment to 90% flows into the reservoir in which the effect of a card is used, that is, when a called unit dies, a built building is destroyed or a Spell Card is being used. However, the cost of degraded power generators and spheres do not flow back to the idle power supply. An exception is when a monument is under construction and will be demolished again by the player, in this case, the player also receives 90 % of the energy back.

However, cards need not only energy to be summoned, but have as a prerequisite, so-called spheres that must be in possession. Unlike energy spheres are not consumed when with its help a card is played. Each of the people requires a different sphere. The player starts with a sphere that takes automatically the color of the first card played. To play a better hand, the player must build monuments, and opt for one of the four colors (red, blue, green or violet ) to have the sphere. The build monuments is possible only at designated locations on the map. Each additional sphere also costs more energy. Stronger cards require more than one sphere. There are some cards require several times as a prerequisite, the same color of the sphere, and others in which only a color sphere is defined. In these only one sphere must be blue then, for example, the other can have any color. This allows the player possible to assemble his deck of cards of different fractions. Maximum required number of spheres is four. Accordingly cards, which require four spheres, usually the strongest cards in the game.

Card upgrades

The cards that has the player can be improved with so-called card upgrades. So either the damage, life points or special effects can be improved by the revaluation. In addition, some upgrades reduce energy costs that are necessary to pit one card. There are three levels of appreciation that can get as a reward for the successful completion of a mission the player. However, there is also the possibility of upgrades with so-called battle tokens to " buy ", obtained after the victory in PvP or randomly generated PvE, these stones can bid points also since an update in the Market Place for 10 Battle Forge.

PvE

In Player versus Environment mode the player is able to play campaigns and missions against the computer opponents. The background story is advanced. There are issues that need to be played solo, but also multiplayer missions with up to 12 players. The missions are divided into three levels of difficulty (Standard, Advanced and Professional ), with many missions are available for all difficulty levels. On successful playing through a mission, you can get tickets appreciation. In addition, you get gold and experience points.

There is also the opportunity to play randomly generated PvE maps. These are playable in ten levels of difficulty. As a reward, you get gold, experience points and battle pieces.

Gold is needed to pay for upgrades cards, listing an item in the auction house and to send letters to other players. Experience requires one to rise through the ranks. Here, the maximum achievable PvE rank 15 is, unlike in PvP mode can be lost through missions do not lose experience points.

PvP

Player versus player games can be played in two different modes: "Collective deck " and " Tome ". There is also the possibility to play alone against a player ( 1 vs 1.) Or to compete in pairs against two opponents ( vs. 2. 2). After each game, against one or more other players to obtain a certain amount of gold and stones fighting game.

Collecting deck called the game with a player's deck, that he can put together free from all his obsessive cards. These cards have the appropriate upgrade level, which has already reached the player.

Tome denotes a slightly different way of playing. A Tome deck must be purchased commercially for BattleForge points and consists of several booster packs. A Tome deck can be prepared exclusively from those obtained cards, the cards are since the last patch, and the upgrade level 2 and loaded up to step 2. This mode challenges players so especially true because you have to try to compile with the limited card pool as possible a balanced PvP deck. Accordingly, in Tome games even more combat tokens can be won.

PvP ranking

Goal of the game in PvP is to lead the ranking of all players. There are separate rankings for 1 vs. 1 and 2 vs. 2 In addition, a distinction is made between collective deck and Tome mode. The ranking is based on the Elo system. So you get credited 500 Elo for a win against a player with the same Elo rating, the opponent loses 500. If the opponent has a higher Elo, one obtains correspondingly more or less loses. The PvP rank is thus dependent on the Elo rating and you can also stay in place. Maximum achievable PvP rank is 30 which corresponds to an Elo of ~ 150,000.

Cards editions

In the game's release, the map edition " Twilight " (English " Twilight" ) has been introduced. This edition contains 200 cards, the four fractions belong to (fire, frost, shadow, and nature). In the future, further editions will be published. It already appeared the Renegade and the Lost Souls (lost souls) Edition. The special feature of these fractions is that they have several different colored spheres as a prerequisite. So need the bandits Fire and Shadow spheres and the Stonekin Frost and natural spheres.

And there were also introduced entirely new, so-called legends cards. These make up the background story known creatures playable. The special feature here is that they can be accessed simultaneously on the field only once and it does not matter from which the required number of colors consists of spheres. These cards are characterized above all by your special abilities.

Acquisition of new cards

Retail version

The available in-store retail version of the game, the player starts the game 64 cards (16 per color). If the player should be dissatisfied with his cards, he can buy with " BattleForge Points" booster packs. These each contain eight cards that may include in the deck, the player immediately. But it is also possible to exchange cards with other players. There is an auction house, where players can create cards auctions. BattleForge Points must be bought for 19.99 Euros at the store or online after consumption of the included in the retail version 3000. However, this option is not mandatory, everyone can decide whether he wants to invest additional money or not.

Play4Free

Since 26 May 2009, Battlefield Play4Free, new players giving them the opportunity for free to use all the features of the game.

The Play4Free version contains compared to the retail version, however, significantly less:

• It contained no BattleForge Points.
• There are only 2 decks of 16 cards included.
• Functions such as the auction house and direct exchange will only achieve with PvE Rank 4 and after you've played 40 minutes or unlocked PvP rank 10.

Reception

Results of some games tester

• Gamezone.de: 8.7 / 10
• 4Players.de: 77 %
• Gameswelt.de: 87 %
• Eurogamer.net: 6/10
• Metacritic: 75%

As can be seen from the overview, BattleForge is judged mixed. Throughout the novelty of the game concept with trading cards and their implementation is praised in a computer game. Thus, the exchange functions and the auction house will be well received especially. Furthermore, the implementation of the multiplayer mode is evaluated very positively. However, the lack of an integrated voice chat is criticized as a weakness often what is commonly regarded as outdated. In addition, often the danger of financial dependence is classified as negative by the acquisition of booster packs.