GWENT: Rogue Mage Critic Reviews

While quite different from the previous single-player GWENT experience, GWENT: Rogue Mage is an extremely solid title that masterfully combines mechanics from the card game introduced in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt with roguelike mechanics. With tons of different cards and different strategies, Alzur's search for the mutagens that will create The Witcher is an extremely engaging one, despite the smaller focus on story, compared to other games belonging to the popular series.

Gwent: Rogue Mage is the perfect example of how to reinvent yourself in an effective way. The playing card strategy game from the Witcher saga, even after all this time and variations, is still capable of holding on. A bit of variety in situations and encounters would not have damaged the experience, but the overall result is a well crafted experiment.

Gwent: Rogue Mage is a new and satisfying way to play Gwent with an interesting roguelike twist.

If you're not tired of seeing Gwent, it offers an enjoyable single player experience. Although its mechanics are not as complex as the original Gwent and Thronebreaker, its more simplified structure works in harmony with the Roguelike genre.

Without being the most exciting, original or accomplished rogue-like of the genre, Gwent: Rogue Mage nevertheless offers a recipe that works, all in the familiar universe of The Witcher. Players who like the modern recipe of CD Projekt Red's TCG, but prefer to play solo, should enjoy it for a while, especially since its price is really modest. However, the alterations made to the gameplay may put off some players, and it quickly feels like they are doing the same thing over and over again.

The differences make for a fun single-player experience that fits into the lore of the Witcher world. However, this isn’t the kind of game to play if you are after a fully immersive story. On the contrary, Gwent: Rogue Mage’s story mostly ends with the intro video and flavor voice lines from the two main characters. Now, if you want a game to kill some hours with some fun mechanics and a lot to unlock and learn, then Rogue Mage may be what you’re after.

Rogue Mage lacks the scope and ambition of Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales, but despite that provides lots of fun thanks to its addictive, well-balanced gameplay. It’s also a great way to get acquainted with Gwent.

GWENT: Rogue Mage is an expansion suited for players who need new challenges, like to test their patience and improvise strategies. But because of a rather repetitive gameplay and disappointing story, it’s a game that casual fans of Gwent can easily skip.

Rogue Mage demonstrates why Gwent and roguelikes are not a good combination.

Rogue Mage is an enjoyable card game that I was happy to spend a few evenings with. However, it lacks the greater depth and addictiveness of classic rogue-like titles for prolonged play. As a result, this version of the cards isn't bad, but it's unfortunately the weakest of all on offer.

Gwent: Rogue Mage is a great evolution of an already-satisfying foundation. The roguelike trappings of travelling across an ever-changing board full of shifting events and encounters meld wonderfully into the action of Gwent battles. Some redundant events and bothersome bugs aside, this is a real treat.