‘Parallel’ Brings An Epic Sci-Fi Spin to Complex NFT Card Wars – Decrypt

Parallel is an upcoming competitive trading card game (TCG) that allows players to play as the leader of one of five different “parallels” or factions in the context of an epic sci-fi world. Players must battle each other with custom-made decks of 40 cards each, until a player’s primary health points (HP) reach zero.

While there are plenty of NFT-powered TCGs on the market or in development, Parallel is one of the few that truly stands out from the crowd with its attractive 3D graphics, diverse factions, and complex tactical gameplay.

I tried the closed beta of Parallel on Windows PC hands-on to find out what sets it apart from other crypto card warriors.

Parallel game styles

While many TCGs embrace the bright, high fantasy aesthetic, Parallel makes its mark as the dark, space opera-themed cousin of a game like Blizzard’s hit Hearthstone.

Experienced TCG players will grasp the game immediately, but all players will need to learn the strengths and weaknesses of each parallel as early as possible to win. For those coming from other game genres, it’s a steep but fast learning curve.

Each parallel has a different aesthetic, background, and playstyle. Earthen parallel, for example, is designed for defensive, strategic players with cards that combine with many self-healing options.

In contrast, the Marcolian parallel is designed for players who prefer shorter matches and a kind of ‘glass ball’ approach (i.e. higher attack power but weaker defense) and will drain the enemy player’s main HP as soon as possible before the opponents can build up significant power. targets. defense from the middle to the end of the game.

This is especially true of the Kathari parallel, although all parallels require a deep understanding of how your 40 cards can be played in various ranks to combine benefits and increase damage. Played in the right order and with a little luck, an army of humanoid, robot-like clones can quickly emerge to take down the enemy.

For those looking to tailor their strategy to each unique enemy, Augencore can be a solid choice. This cunning faction can quickly upgrade their cards, allowing them to block enemies and build up an important defense. And the cosmological Shroud parallelism can be unpredictable and hard to beat, as it allows players to use an extra feature called the Shroud-exclusive “singularity” to knock opponents’ cards off the board.

When I tested the limited closed beta, I found that players are only allowed to use preset base decks edited by game developers. After some matches, it became easier to predict the opponent’s behavior, and “relics” – indestructible cards with passive benefits – were rare sights.

While playing, I haven’t met anyone using a different “paragon” (or mainboard reserved for permanent passive effects), which leads to simpler gameplay and shorter matches overall.

But this is an undeniable plus for beginners trying to grasp an already complex TCG, as there are lots of card interactions to learn for each parallel. For example, some parallels offer more opportunities to add a “defense” feature to regular cards known as “units”, while other parallels get a chance to upgrade their existing cards on the board.

However, the beta is already developing and expanding as Parallel has released NFT-based starting decks and now allows players to use different instances and earn the game’s PRIME token while playing.

Parallel already looks like a promising TCG with the potential to appeal to both experienced and beginner players. Somehow, it has already managed to hit that sweet spot, offering enough complexity to challenge players without alienating newbies to the genre.

Potential disadvantages

As with most TCGs, certain powerful cards, if sold as individual NFTs or in gatcha-like random loot boxes, are likely to lead to a “pay-to-win” feeling among players who would otherwise be on par. comes to strategy and deck information.

While this is certainly a common issue in the wider gaming world, it may disappoint some players. Games from Hearthstone to MapleStory to Clash of Clans have been accused of implementing “pay-to-win” elements, but that hasn’t stopped millions of players from enjoying them.

To be clear, it remains to be seen to what extent buying the strongest cards in the game will actually affect the game or card balancing.

Parallel is a game where a bad turn can quickly end the match. It’s easy to see clearly that you’re losing early; this may disappoint some players as it often seems impossible to reverse the tide of matches at this stage.

But this feeling of pooling enemy luck and resources can again be a common issue with TCGs. This is why many TCGs, including Parallel and some real-time strategy games (RTS), allow players to lose or “accept” matches early when a prolonged loss seems imminent.

RNG or “random number generators” is an acronym that players often use to talk about randomness, it plays a big role in Parallel as well. You can trade cards if you go bad first hand; however, from now on, you will have little control over which cards from your deck are dealt to you. And while there are cards that allow you to draw a few new cards, they cost “energy”, which is the main resource in the game.

Depending on the order of the cards you are dealt, you may be in luck or face the wrath of the RNG gods.

Crypto and NFTs

Parallel has surprisingly launched its own crypto token PRIME. 6.1 million cards printed as Ethereum NFTs in its main collection. The project has recently launched another 11,000. Avatar NFTs For those looking for a profile picture (or PFP) can be used both in-game and around the web.

Almost every card in the game appears to be an NFT, with common cards currently listed for as low as $1.50 and typically fall in the $13 to $40 range. At the height of the NFT market turmoil in 2021, a Parallel NFT card was sold for over $1.1 million in ETH.

However, it’s worth noting that Parallel’s developers have deliberately not included any special skill and ability data (such as HP stats, abilities, or attack power) in NFTs in case they need to buff or weaken (enhance or weaken) certain cards at the same time. . next date.

According to parallel Web siteplayers will be able to earn PRIME when they win ranked matches for up to five wins per day, with the amount calculated based on the number of NFTs in a deck, whether a player has an Avatar NFT, and other factors.

For fans of Parallel’s gripping, dramatic sci-fi world, the studio has also released two comics and plans to release a third this year.

Paralell’s closed beta gives you a taste of an already fun and well-made competitive card game with a key crypto component and plenty of room to grow as we approach full release. Players of other NFT-focused TCGs like Splinterlands or Gods Unchained may find a new favorite and a different vibe in Parallel.