WARCANA is a fantasy inspired base defence, RTS game with a deck-building mechanic. Face hundreds of thousands of unrelenting monsters in a battle royale between 30 other mighty magicians. Build your deck. Prepare your defences. Summon your armies. Survive the onslaught. Be the last one standing.
The game blends elements of card games, tower defense, and real-time strategy in a novel way. Players take on the role of a mighty magician, building a deck of cards that represent buildings, units, and spells. They must then strategically place these elements on the battlefield to defend against waves of hundreds of thousands of attacking monsters.
The deckbuilding system is a core strength, allowing players to choose from a variety of fantastical "devotions" or factions, each with unique perks, mechanics, and thematic units and spells. Crafting an effective deck requires carefully considering the synergies between different card types and their corresponding tech trees, providing ample opportunity for strategic depth and experimentation.
Beyond deckbuilding, players must thoughtfully position their buildings and units to create effective defensive setups. The ability to cast powerful spells at key moments adds another layer of strategy, as players must time and target their spell usage to maximize impact against the enemy forces.
One of the game's most striking features is the sheer scale of the battles, with hundreds of thousands of units clashing on the battlefield. The pixel art style maintains clarity and readability even in the most intense moments, creating a visually stunning and chaotic spectacle.
The game offers a variety of engaging multiplayer modes, including a unique Battle Royale format where up to 30 players compete to be the last one standing. Reviewers praise the competitive and social aspects of these modes, which allow players to test their deckbuilding and strategic skills against human opponents.
While the game's steep learning curve is acknowledged, particularly around the deckbuilding and unit synergies, reviewers highlight the depth and strategic complexity that awaits players who invest the time to understand the game's mechanics. The payoff is a highly rewarding and satisfying gameplay experience.