CGT: Review
Information:
Mechanics: Market Manipulation, Set Collection, Hand Management
Player Age: 14+ Player Count: 2 - 4 PlayersTime to Play: 20 - 45 Minutes
Game Designer: Damjan MiladinovićPublisher: Dazbog GamesYear Published: 2023BGG Weight: 2.50Disclaimer: A review copy for the game was provided by the publisher.
Player Age: 14+
Game Designer: Damjan Miladinović
Introduction:
Everyone knows of the wide array of TCGs from magic to Pokemon, but have you heard of Card Game Traders? (more commonly known as CGT). This is a quick, non-collectable card game that focuses on the manipulation of the volatile meta of these games.
Card Anatomy:
Game Cards:
The cards in the game come in seven variations, each at a different abundance in the deck, they all have a fun flavour text and relatable title.
Ability Cards:
Each ability card has a seperate ability on the top and bottom section to increase variation. The ability cards have special ability that will activate either at the end of the game, during the game, or when placed on top of the column in the meta.
Meta Marker Card:
The back of the ability card is used during setup and will denote which column this ability can be set up in.
As part of the setup, each of these ability cards will have its bottom half covered by a meta marker to show which card type will go here during the game. Meta markers have a number on the right-hand side to show the column it will be placed in.
Setup:
- Create the offer row by shuffling the game card deck then dealing a row of 6 cards.
- Create the meta row by shuffling the ability cards, mixing the orientation of the cards in the shuffle as well.
- Each ability is placed in the first available column as denoted by the back of the card.
- Each meta marker card will now half cover its matching column.
- Shuffle and deal each player five game cards.
- Each player will then pass one card of their choice to the left and right player, and place one card into the meta by placing it on the matching card column without activating the ability.
- The starting player will gain the first player marker which will also count as negative three points at the end of the game.
How to Play:
Until the last card is drawn from the deck players will have continuous turns back and forth, aiming to create the most valuable hand for the end of game. On a turn players will trade a card, use the ability and buy cards. These three actions (trade, activate ability, and buy) are the basic composition of every turn.
Trade a Card:
Players will select one card from their hand and place it into the matching card column in the meta. The amount of cards in this column, including the one just placed, is the currency value awarded to the player for the turn (in this example a value of three).
Use an ability:
The player activates the ability of this column (if there is one to be activated). This ability can have various effects such as changing cards in the meta/offer, or manipulating a player's hand by swapping or removing cards.
Buy a card:
Using the currency gained through trading, the player can now buy any amount of cards in the offer that they can afford. Each card value is based on the number of cards in its own column in the meta. For example if the 'Artist Signature Card' has five cards in the meta they will be valued at five. At the end of the turn the offer row will then be refreshed equalling six cards.
Scoring:
Once the last card is drawn from the deck all players will have equal turns then the game will end. Players will score every card from their hand, keeping in mind that each card value is based on how many cards are in that type's meta column. The first player will lose three points as depicted on the first player marker.
Final Thoughts:
- Challenging puzzle of supply and demand.
- Great choice of playing cards that are multifaceted throughout the game.
- The abilities can be hard to read at times but there are resources in the rulebook explaining all in greater detail.
CGT is a really fun and quick market manipulation game with a theme that brings me back to my introduction to the hobby. In this game the turns are simple, you play a card, activate the ability and buy more cards. The trick is which cards are you making more valuable by discarding them to buy others. Additionally, it is tricky to correctly use the abilities to make your hand more valuable. This might be achieved by buying multiple low-value cards at the start of the game or constantly manipulating the meta through other abilities.
This is a quick game full of snap decisions that could lead to high asset values or total economic downfall. If you enjoy market manipulation games then this is one you should hunt down soon.
Click...feed the addiction:
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