Engaging TCG-Like Computer Game
Bellatorus is obviously inspired by trading card games (TCGs) like Magic: The Gathering, but it isn't a -trading- card game exactly; you get all the cards with the game (and can download more from the developer's site) and edit decks with the provided editing utility--then play out games, either against remote opponents or an AI.
In other words, all the cards are available to you at all times, and you don't have to pay for more.
Unlike Magic, Bellatorus doesn't have land cards. Instead, the three resources in the game (crosses, skulls, and lumber) are produced by three different kinds of workers (priests, liches, and workers). You can hire more workers on any turn (up to 3 of a single type), but of course lose your opportunity to play a card on that turn if you do. In addition, each type of worker requires a building for support (churches, graveyard, or lumber mills)--each supports 5 workers of the same type--and building a new building takes a turn. And you can spend a turn "working" to produce resources. One nice fillip; you can discard a card for a replacement on a turn you spending hiring, building, or working, so if you have no useful card to play right now, you can do something else helpful.
As in Magic, your ultimate objective is to defeat your opponent, in this case by reducing his Tower to zero points. Attacks first do damage to opposing "walls" and then to "towers". Many cards allow you to increase your walls and/or towers; others deliver an attack; others affect your (or your opponent's) strength in terms of workers or constructions or resources.
A nicely rendered 3D screen, depicting your tower and walls and the constructions you own, animates during play, giving visual feedback to the strength of both sides, as well as the strength of their towers and walls; UI is quite intuitive, and a nice tutorial teaches the game quickly and well.
The single-player version is engaging, but in addition, Bellatorus supports both LAN and Internet play.
As it is, we think Bellatorus is a pretty strong game--but our understanding is that the developer plans on releasing additional cards and updating it over time. We think it's a great basic structure to build upon as well.
The developer says:
Bellatorus is a card battle game, where you'll struggle to destroy your opponent's tower and protect your own. If your are not too fond of wanton destruction, you can focus on building and protecting your tower, and should consider siding with the good guys. If you are a destructive kind of fella, the bad guys are your choice of allies.
Bellatorus is multiplayer, and you will be able to play with your friends over the internet and show them who's boss... You can even create your own decks and new cards with the integrated Bellatorus Deck Editor, and use them to play, and maybe even share them with the rest of the Bellatorus community at this site!
Add to that the gorgeous 3D look & feel of Bellatorus, and you've got a card battle experience unlike any you've known before.