Pokemon TCG Live Preview: The T No Longer Stands For Trading
The digital version of the Pokemon Trading Card Game has been long overdue for a face lift. While I still consider Pokemon TCG Online the most rewarding digital TCG, particularly for new players, the presentation is missing a lot of the flash and flow of modern card games. The UI is plain, the avatar system is rudimentary, and it doesn’t even work on phones.
Interest in the Pokemon TCG has exploded in recent years, but it’s needed a modern digital adaptation for a lot longer. That game is called Pokemon TCG Live, and the beta version is currently available in select countries. I got my first hands-on experience with the new and improved TCG client at the Pokemon World Championships this past weekend, and while I love the look and feel of the update, there were also some unexpectedly big changes that I’m still coming to terms with. Namely, the removal of the in-game market for trading cards.
But, first, the good news: Pokemon TCG Live plays like a dream. The Pokemon Company has taken a lot of cues from modern CCGs like Magic: The Gathering Arena, Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel, and Legends of Runeterra, and has redesigned the game to feel snappy, intuitive, and easy to navigate. Modern Pokemon TCG is a complex game with a lot of overlapping rules and conditions, but TCG Live makes it easy to keep track of your turn and all the various moves you can make.
Related: Spragels Interview: How The Pokemon Unite Youtuber Speedran His Way To Casting The World Championships
Simple things like highlighting your optional abilities to make it easier to understand and tool tips are available to remind you about mechanics and rules you may have forgotten. It feels great to flick the screen to play cards or tap to blow them up for easier
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