The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Interactive Map is Now Available IGN's The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom map is here! Our interactive map tracks essential collectibles across Hyrule, including Heart Pieces and Might Crystals. It also shows the locations of main and side quests, so you always know exactly where to go on your adventure. Note that our Echoes of Wisdom interactive map isn't 100% complete yet, but we're hard at work making sure it's finished as quickly as possible. If the location you're currently exploring isn't fully covered, check back later! Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Interactive Map Click on the map filters on the left-hand toolbar to filter specific markers, such as treasure or quest locations. You can also mark them as completed to keep track of your progress over time! The map filters on our Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom interactive map include: Locations, including Waypoints, Shops, and Dungeons, so you always know where to go next. Collectibles, including Echoes, Heart Pieces, and Stamps. Items, such as Clothing, Ingredients, and Rupees. Quests, including main and side quests. Other noteable map markers, such as Bosses and animals like Cucco. Heart Piece Locations in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom While you're using IGN's The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom interactive map to keep on track throughout your adventure around Hyrule, make sure you're grabbing Heart Pieces to help increase your maximum health. The game has a variety of dungeons and enemies, meaning you'll want to withstand as many hits as possible. Our Echoes of Wisdom All Heart Pieces: Locations and Guide page includes locations for all the Heart Pieces, including: Suthorn Forest - Cave 2 Heart Piece Hyrule Field Heart Piece 1 Zora River - Lord Jabu-Jabu's Den Heart Piece Faron Wetlands - Deku Scrub Lockup Kakariko Village - Slumber Dojo For more The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom game help, check out: Essential Tips and Tricks Best Echoes All Smoothie Recipes List and Effects Amiibo Unlockables and Rewards Meg Koepp is a Guides Editor on the IGN Guides team, with a focus on trends. When she's not working, you can find her playing an RPG or making miniatures.

IGN

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Interactive Map is Now Available - IGN

Joker 2’s 'Fantasy of Love': Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga & Todd Phillips on Folie à Deux's Bad Romance Arthur Fleck – the protagonist of 2019’s Joker and its sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux – was just a struggling comedian and party clown until he inspired an anarchic social movement through his Gotham City murder spree. In Joker 2, Arthur is a supervillain to some and a superstar to others. “This is in some ways the fallout of that, the idea of celebrity and what do you do when you've created this image in this character and you have to live up to it," said Joaquin Phoenix, who won the Best Actor Oscar for Joker, in a recent interview with IGN.

IGN

Joker 2’s 'Fantasy of Love': Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga & Todd Phillips on Folie à Deux's Bad Romance - IGN

Arthur Fleck – the protagonist of 2019’s Joker and its sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux – was just a struggling comedian and party clown until he...

The Best Trading Card Games Worth Getting Into Today, card games are everywhere, but in 1993, the trading card game (TCG) genre was born with just one: Magic: The Gathering, created by Richard Garfield. I became a fan a few years later, in 1996, during the release of the Fourth Edition core set. Once I got the hang of the game, I was hooked for nearly three years. The artwork drew me in, and the flavor text – often witty, dark, and sarcastic – kept me entertained, but what I loved most was playing. The tactile thrill of placing a card on the table, imagining myself as a powerful planeswalker commanding forces beyond mortal comprehension, was unbeatable. Though other trading card games existed back then, my loyalty to Magic: The Gathering consumed both my attention and my budget. Fast forward to today, and the landscape is even more crowded. The old titans of the genre are still thriving, while countless newer games vie for attention, each bringing something unique to the table. With that in mind, here are the 10 best trading and living card games to dive into in 2024 – games that are fun to play, boast active communities, and have the potential for long-term growth. Whatever you decide to try out and play, make sure you have a community to share it with: either a local one where you live or an online one that is supportive. The community surrounding the game is as important as the game itself. The Big Three These are the established choices for anyone who's deciding on a trading card game. Magic: The Gathering The original trading card playing experience, Magic: The Gathering established so many norms that we take for granted today. Plains, Swamps, Forests, Mountains, Islands – these were the lands you drew power from, to call angels, demons, zombies, orcs, goblins, and enchanted creatures to your side. The benefits of picking up Magic: The Gathering now, nearly 30 years into its run, are the same as the drawbacks: It's just so big at this point. There's a lot to explore and play with, but it can be intimidating and overwhelming to learn it from scratch. As was true back when I started playing, the best way to learn is not by reading the instruction booklet that comes with every starter deck, but by having a friend walk you through a match. You can check out our guide to all of the upcoming MTG releases coming in 2024 and beyond. Pokémon TCG Still popular after all these years, Pokemon TCG started in 1996. Its cards in America were originally published by Wizards of the Coast, the same company that published Magic: The Gathering. Pokemon's fan base has always been more collector-heavy than player-heavy, but this has been especially true in recent years, as the value of Pokemon cards has continued to go up. (Most famously in 2021, Logan Paul paid $5.27 million for a Grade 10 Pokemon Illustrator card, which he occasionally wears around his neck when he wrestles in WWE.) Beyond this, there's an appealing simplicity to Pokemon, in that your turn is largely your own; you aren't overlapping moves or playing over your opponent's turn, which makes things a lot more streamlined. You can check out our guide to all of the upcoming Pokemon TCG releases coming in 2024 and beyond. Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Recognized in 2009 by Guinness as the highest-selling trading card game in the world, Yu-Gi-Oh! popularized chains as a gameplay mechanic, and it was considerably more chaotic than its predecessors. You're often countering and making significant moves during your opponent's turn in addition to your own, and on its highest levels, the victor can be determined on a starting hand and who goes first. Your enjoyment will largely depend on who you learn from, especially if you're coming into the game cold. The Newcomers The seven TCGs below might not have the decades-long legacies of the Big Three, but they're making plenty of noise and are worth checking out. Digimon TCG Newly revamped for 2020, Digimon's main draw is its progression: Hatch an egg, have it undergo Digivolution (which allows you to improve upon your Digimon's stats), and move it to the Battle Area to attack your opponent. It is still a newer TCG game, relatively speaking, which means that it doesn't have the legacy baggage of the prior three. The community is notably welcoming and open to new innovations, and the metagame is diverse and still in the process of being defined. Netrunner Set in a cyberpunk dystopia, Netrunner, which pits hackers against a faceless corporate entity, has a long, complex history. The original physical card game came out in 1996, and it was revamped and released as Android: Netrunner in 2012. Today, it currently exists as an ongoing fan project. Non-profit game publisher Null Signal Games releases new starter and expansion sets, and the PDFs are all available on a pay-what-you-want basis. These new sets are also compatible with the prior Android: Netrunner sets, and everything, from the artwork to the new mechanics, feels legitimate and true to form. Disney Lorcana When Disney commits to something, they go full throttle. Disney Lorcana, which draws from over 100 years of Disney animated history, takes full advantage of the nostalgia and sea of creative properties inherent in its brand. Instead of land, you summon with ink, and true to Disney's family-friendly image, you accumulate 20 points instead of decimating your opponent's life to win. There are currently over 600 different cards in print between the starter set and the two expansions. The newest expansion, Chapter 4: Ursula's Return, launched on May 31. Marvel Champions: The Card Game Name recognition goes a long way. In Marvel Champions, select the specific Marvel superhero that you want to play. Then, team up with other players and work through different scenarios, in which you defeat villains and foil their schemes. The Core set starts you with five different selectable heroes: Iron Man, Black Panther, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and She-Hulk. Subsequent Expansion packs give you prebuilt decks that allow you to play as over 30 additional characters and face additional villains with different storylines. It's among one of our favorite Marvel card games available. Arkham Horror: The Card Game Inspired by the 1981 horror RPG Call of Cthulhu, Arkham Horror is a supernatural, Lovecraftian mystery game. It puts you in the shoes of an investigator, who must work through a creepy horror scenario and emerge with their body and sanity intact. You start by choosing an investigator: a Guardian, Seeker, Rogue, Mystic, Survivor, or Neutral, each of which has its specific strengths and weaknesses. Then, you investigate missing people, creepy cults, rumors of a lost ancient city, and more. It's all very evocative and tentacled. It's a great RPG card game worth getting into Star Wars Unlimited Star Wars: Unlimited is a brand new card game, but the established pre-existing universe of Star Wars makes this an excellent place to start; its longevity is nearly guaranteed, given the franchise's popularity. You play as a leader of your respective faction – the starter set includes Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. Then you wage war, sending out droids and troops or using Force powers until one base is destroyed. The current set, Spark of Rebellion, focuses largely on the events of the original trilogy. The most recent expansion set, Shadows of the Galaxy, focuses on the criminal underbelly of the galaxy, and features mercenaries and bounty hunters. Flesh and Blood The creators of Flesh and Blood are traditionalists; they designed their game to be played in person – hence, in “Flesh and Blood” – rather than an online format. The game is fantasy-themed, and you have a hero who falls into one of 11 classes: Assassin, Brute, Guardian, Illusionist, Mechanologist, Merchant, Ninja, Ranger, Runeblade, Warrior, or Wizard. You equip your hero, build a deck around them, and send them into battle with spells, blows, and counterblows at the ready. Kevin Wong is a contributing freelancer for IGN, specializing in LEGO and Card Games. His byline has appeared in numerous publications, including Complex, Engadget, Vice, Playboy, Gamespot, Popverse, and Kotaku. A pop culture aficionado, Kevin has written long-form features on a wide range of subjects, including movies and television, video games, professional wrestling, comics, and emerging tech. He lives in New York with his wife and son. Follow him on Twitter at @kevinjameswong.

IGN

The Best Trading Card Games Worth Getting Into - IGN

The Best Trading Card Games Worth Getting Into Today, card games are everywhere, but in 1993, the trading card game (TCG) genre was born with just one: Magic: The Gathering, created by Richard Garfield. I became a fan a few years later, in 1996, during the release of the Fourth Edition core set. Once I got the hang of the game, I was hooked for nearly three years. The artwork drew me in, and the flavor text – often witty, dark, and sarcastic – kept me entertained, but what I loved most was playing. The tactile thrill of placing a card on the table, imagining myself as a powerful planeswalker commanding forces beyond mortal comprehension, was unbeatable. Though other trading card games existed back then, my loyalty to Magic: The Gathering consumed both my attention and my budget. Fast forward to today, and the landscape is even more crowded. The old titans of the genre are still thriving, while countless newer games vie for attention, each bringing something unique to the table. With that in mind, here are the 10 best trading and living card games to dive into in 2024 – games that are fun to play, boast active communities, and have the potential for long-term growth. Whatever you decide to try out and play, make sure you have a community to share it with: either a local one where you live or an online one that is supportive. The community surrounding the game is as important as the game itself. The Big Three These are the established choices for anyone who's deciding on a trading card game. Magic: The Gathering The original trading card playing experience, Magic: The Gathering established so many norms that we take for granted today. Plains, Swamps, Forests, Mountains, Islands – these were the lands you drew power from, to call angels, demons, zombies, orcs, goblins, and enchanted creatures to your side. The benefits of picking up Magic: The Gathering now, nearly 30 years into its run, are the same as the drawbacks: It's just so big at this point. There's a lot to explore and play with, but it can be intimidating and overwhelming to learn it from scratch. As was true back when I started playing, the best way to learn is not by reading the instruction booklet that comes with every starter deck, but by having a friend walk you through a match. You can check out our guide to all of the upcoming MTG releases coming in 2024 and beyond. Pokémon TCG Still popular after all these years, Pokemon TCG started in 1996. Its cards in America were originally published by Wizards of the Coast, the same company that published Magic: The Gathering. Pokemon's fan base has always been more collector-heavy than player-heavy, but this has been especially true in recent years, as the value of Pokemon cards has continued to go up. (Most famously in 2021, Logan Paul paid $5.27 million for a Grade 10 Pokemon Illustrator card, which he occasionally wears around his neck when he wrestles in WWE.) Beyond this, there's an appealing simplicity to Pokemon, in that your turn is largely your own; you aren't overlapping moves or playing over your opponent's turn, which makes things a lot more streamlined. You can check out our guide to all of the upcoming Pokemon TCG releases coming in 2024 and beyond. Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Recognized in 2009 by Guinness as the highest-selling trading card game in the world, Yu-Gi-Oh! popularized chains as a gameplay mechanic, and it was considerably more chaotic than its predecessors. You're often countering and making significant moves during your opponent's turn in addition to your own, and on its highest levels, the victor can be determined on a starting hand and who goes first. Your enjoyment will largely depend on who you learn from, especially if you're coming into the game cold. The Newcomers The seven TCGs below might not have the decades-long legacies of the Big Three, but they're making plenty of noise and are worth checking out. Digimon TCG Newly revamped for 2020, Digimon's main draw is its progression: Hatch an egg, have it undergo Digivolution (which allows you to improve upon your Digimon's stats), and move it to the Battle Area to attack your opponent. It is still a newer TCG game, relatively speaking, which means that it doesn't have the legacy baggage of the prior three. The community is notably welcoming and open to new innovations, and the metagame is diverse and still in the process of being defined. Netrunner Set in a cyberpunk dystopia, Netrunner, which pits hackers against a faceless corporate entity, has a long, complex history. The original physical card game came out in 1996, and it was revamped and released as Android: Netrunner in 2012. Today, it currently exists as an ongoing fan project. Non-profit game publisher Null Signal Games releases new starter and expansion sets, and the PDFs are all available on a pay-what-you-want basis. These new sets are also compatible with the prior Android: Netrunner sets, and everything, from the artwork to the new mechanics, feels legitimate and true to form. Disney Lorcana When Disney commits to something, they go full throttle. Disney Lorcana, which draws from over 100 years of Disney animated history, takes full advantage of the nostalgia and sea of creative properties inherent in its brand. Instead of land, you summon with ink, and true to Disney's family-friendly image, you accumulate 20 points instead of decimating your opponent's life to win. There are currently over 600 different cards in print between the starter set and the two expansions. The newest expansion, Chapter 4: Ursula's Return, launched on May 31. Marvel Champions: The Card Game Name recognition goes a long way. In Marvel Champions, select the specific Marvel superhero that you want to play. Then, team up with other players and work through different scenarios, in which you defeat villains and foil their schemes. The Core set starts you with five different selectable heroes: Iron Man, Black Panther, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and She-Hulk. Subsequent Expansion packs give you prebuilt decks that allow you to play as over 30 additional characters and face additional villains with different storylines. It's among one of our favorite Marvel card games available. Arkham Horror: The Card Game Inspired by the 1981 horror RPG Call of Cthulhu, Arkham Horror is a supernatural, Lovecraftian mystery game. It puts you in the shoes of an investigator, who must work through a creepy horror scenario and emerge with their body and sanity intact. You start by choosing an investigator: a Guardian, Seeker, Rogue, Mystic, Survivor, or Neutral, each of which has its specific strengths and weaknesses. Then, you investigate missing people, creepy cults, rumors of a lost ancient city, and more. It's all very evocative and tentacled. It's a great RPG card game worth getting into Star Wars Unlimited Star Wars: Unlimited is a brand new card game, but the established pre-existing universe of Star Wars makes this an excellent place to start; its longevity is nearly guaranteed, given the franchise's popularity. You play as a leader of your respective faction – the starter set includes Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. Then you wage war, sending out droids and troops or using Force powers until one base is destroyed. The current set, Spark of Rebellion, focuses largely on the events of the original trilogy. The most recent expansion set, Shadows of the Galaxy, focuses on the criminal underbelly of the galaxy, and features mercenaries and bounty hunters. Flesh and Blood The creators of Flesh and Blood are traditionalists; they designed their game to be played in person – hence, in “Flesh and Blood” – rather than an online format. The game is fantasy-themed, and you have a hero who falls into one of 11 classes: Assassin, Brute, Guardian, Illusionist, Mechanologist, Merchant, Ninja, Ranger, Runeblade, Warrior, or Wizard. You equip your hero, build a deck around them, and send them into battle with spells, blows, and counterblows at the ready. Kevin Wong is a contributing freelancer for IGN, specializing in LEGO and Card Games. His byline has appeared in numerous publications, including Complex, Engadget, Vice, Playboy, Gamespot, Popverse, and Kotaku. A pop culture aficionado, Kevin has written long-form features on a wide range of subjects, including movies and television, video games, professional wrestling, comics, and emerging tech. He lives in New York with his wife and son. Follow him on Twitter at @kevinjameswong.

IGN

The Best Trading Card Games Worth Getting Into - IGN

The Best Trading Card Games Worth Getting Into Today, card games are everywhere, but in 1993, the trading card game (TCG) genre was born with just one: Magic: The Gathering, created by Richard Garfield. I became a fan a few years later, in 1996, during the release of the Fourth Edition core set. Once I got the hang of the game, I was hooked for nearly three years. The artwork drew me in, and the flavor text – often witty, dark, and sarcastic – kept me entertained, but what I loved most was playing. The tactile thrill of placing a card on the table, imagining myself as a powerful planeswalker commanding forces beyond mortal comprehension, was unbeatable. Though other trading card games existed back then, my loyalty to Magic: The Gathering consumed both my attention and my budget. Fast forward to today, and the landscape is even more crowded. The old titans of the genre are still thriving, while countless newer games vie for attention, each bringing something unique to the table. With that in mind, here are the 10 best trading and living card games to dive into in 2024 – games that are fun to play, boast active communities, and have the potential for long-term growth. Whatever you decide to try out and play, make sure you have a community to share it with: either a local one where you live or an online one that is supportive. The community surrounding the game is as important as the game itself. The Big Three These are the established choices for anyone who's deciding on a trading card game. Magic: The Gathering The original trading card playing experience, Magic: The Gathering established so many norms that we take for granted today. Plains, Swamps, Forests, Mountains, Islands – these were the lands you drew power from, to call angels, demons, zombies, orcs, goblins, and enchanted creatures to your side. The benefits of picking up Magic: The Gathering now, nearly 30 years into its run, are the same as the drawbacks: It's just so big at this point. There's a lot to explore and play with, but it can be intimidating and overwhelming to learn it from scratch. As was true back when I started playing, the best way to learn is not by reading the instruction booklet that comes with every starter deck, but by having a friend walk you through a match. You can check out our guide to all of the upcoming MTG releases coming in 2024 and beyond. Pokémon TCG Still popular after all these years, Pokemon TCG started in 1996. Its cards in America were originally published by Wizards of the Coast, the same company that published Magic: The Gathering. Pokemon's fan base has always been more collector-heavy than player-heavy, but this has been especially true in recent years, as the value of Pokemon cards has continued to go up. (Most famously in 2021, Logan Paul paid $5.27 million for a Grade 10 Pokemon Illustrator card, which he occasionally wears around his neck when he wrestles in WWE.) Beyond this, there's an appealing simplicity to Pokemon, in that your turn is largely your own; you aren't overlapping moves or playing over your opponent's turn, which makes things a lot more streamlined. You can check out our guide to all of the upcoming Pokemon TCG releases coming in 2024 and beyond. Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Recognized in 2009 by Guinness as the highest-selling trading card game in the world, Yu-Gi-Oh! popularized chains as a gameplay mechanic, and it was considerably more chaotic than its predecessors. You're often countering and making significant moves during your opponent's turn in addition to your own, and on its highest levels, the victor can be determined on a starting hand and who goes first. Your enjoyment will largely depend on who you learn from, especially if you're coming into the game cold. The Newcomers The seven TCGs below might not have the decades-long legacies of the Big Three, but they're making plenty of noise and are worth checking out. Digimon TCG Newly revamped for 2020, Digimon's main draw is its progression: Hatch an egg, have it undergo Digivolution (which allows you to improve upon your Digimon's stats), and move it to the Battle Area to attack your opponent. It is still a newer TCG game, relatively speaking, which means that it doesn't have the legacy baggage of the prior three. The community is notably welcoming and open to new innovations, and the metagame is diverse and still in the process of being defined. Netrunner Set in a cyberpunk dystopia, Netrunner, which pits hackers against a faceless corporate entity, has a long, complex history. The original physical card game came out in 1996, and it was revamped and released as Android: Netrunner in 2012. Today, it currently exists as an ongoing fan project. Non-profit game publisher Null Signal Games releases new starter and expansion sets, and the PDFs are all available on a pay-what-you-want basis. These new sets are also compatible with the prior Android: Netrunner sets, and everything, from the artwork to the new mechanics, feels legitimate and true to form. Disney Lorcana When Disney commits to something, they go full throttle. Disney Lorcana, which draws from over 100 years of Disney animated history, takes full advantage of the nostalgia and sea of creative properties inherent in its brand. Instead of land, you summon with ink, and true to Disney's family-friendly image, you accumulate 20 points instead of decimating your opponent's life to win. There are currently over 600 different cards in print between the starter set and the two expansions. The newest expansion, Chapter 4: Ursula's Return, launched on May 31. Marvel Champions: The Card Game Name recognition goes a long way. In Marvel Champions, select the specific Marvel superhero that you want to play. Then, team up with other players and work through different scenarios, in which you defeat villains and foil their schemes. The Core set starts you with five different selectable heroes: Iron Man, Black Panther, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and She-Hulk. Subsequent Expansion packs give you prebuilt decks that allow you to play as over 30 additional characters and face additional villains with different storylines. It's among one of our favorite Marvel card games available. Arkham Horror: The Card Game Inspired by the 1981 horror RPG Call of Cthulhu, Arkham Horror is a supernatural, Lovecraftian mystery game. It puts you in the shoes of an investigator, who must work through a creepy horror scenario and emerge with their body and sanity intact. You start by choosing an investigator: a Guardian, Seeker, Rogue, Mystic, Survivor, or Neutral, each of which has its specific strengths and weaknesses. Then, you investigate missing people, creepy cults, rumors of a lost ancient city, and more. It's all very evocative and tentacled. It's a great RPG card game worth getting into Star Wars Unlimited Star Wars: Unlimited is a brand new card game, but the established pre-existing universe of Star Wars makes this an excellent place to start; its longevity is nearly guaranteed, given the franchise's popularity. You play as a leader of your respective faction – the starter set includes Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. Then you wage war, sending out droids and troops or using Force powers until one base is destroyed. The current set, Spark of Rebellion, focuses largely on the events of the original trilogy. The most recent expansion set, Shadows of the Galaxy, focuses on the criminal underbelly of the galaxy, and features mercenaries and bounty hunters. Flesh and Blood The creators of Flesh and Blood are traditionalists; they designed their game to be played in person – hence, in “Flesh and Blood” – rather than an online format. The game is fantasy-themed, and you have a hero who falls into one of 11 classes: Assassin, Brute, Guardian, Illusionist, Mechanologist, Merchant, Ninja, Ranger, Runeblade, Warrior, or Wizard. You equip your hero, build a deck around them, and send them into battle with spells, blows, and counterblows at the ready. Kevin Wong is a contributing freelancer for IGN, specializing in LEGO and Card Games. His byline has appeared in numerous publications, including Complex, Engadget, Vice, Playboy, Gamespot, Popverse, and Kotaku. A pop culture aficionado, Kevin has written long-form features on a wide range of subjects, including movies and television, video games, professional wrestling, comics, and emerging tech. He lives in New York with his wife and son. Follow him on Twitter at @kevinjameswong.

IGN

The Best Trading Card Games Worth Getting Into - IGN

The Best Trading Card Games Worth Getting Into Today, card games are everywhere, but in 1993, the trading card game (TCG) genre was born with just one: Magic: The Gathering, created by Richard Garfield. I became a fan a few years later, in 1996, during the release of the Fourth Edition core set. Once I got the hang of the game, I was hooked for nearly three years. The artwork drew me in, and the flavor text – often witty, dark, and sarcastic – kept me entertained, but what I loved most was playing. The tactile thrill of placing a card on the table, imagining myself as a powerful planeswalker commanding forces beyond mortal comprehension, was unbeatable. Though other trading card games existed back then, my loyalty to Magic: The Gathering consumed both my attention and my budget. Fast forward to today, and the landscape is even more crowded. The old titans of the genre are still thriving, while countless newer games vie for attention, each bringing something unique to the table. With that in mind, here are the 10 best trading and living card games to dive into in 2024 – games that are fun to play, boast active communities, and have the potential for long-term growth. Whatever you decide to try out and play, make sure you have a community to share it with: either a local one where you live or an online one that is supportive. The community surrounding the game is as important as the game itself. The Big Three These are the established choices for anyone who's deciding on a trading card game. Magic: The Gathering The original trading card playing experience, Magic: The Gathering established so many norms that we take for granted today. Plains, Swamps, Forests, Mountains, Islands – these were the lands you drew power from, to call angels, demons, zombies, orcs, goblins, and enchanted creatures to your side. The benefits of picking up Magic: The Gathering now, nearly 30 years into its run, are the same as the drawbacks: It's just so big at this point. There's a lot to explore and play with, but it can be intimidating and overwhelming to learn it from scratch. As was true back when I started playing, the best way to learn is not by reading the instruction booklet that comes with every starter deck, but by having a friend walk you through a match. You can check out our guide to all of the upcoming MTG releases coming in 2024 and beyond. Pokémon TCG Still popular after all these years, Pokemon TCG started in 1996. Its cards in America were originally published by Wizards of the Coast, the same company that published Magic: The Gathering. Pokemon's fan base has always been more collector-heavy than player-heavy, but this has been especially true in recent years, as the value of Pokemon cards has continued to go up. (Most famously in 2021, Logan Paul paid $5.27 million for a Grade 10 Pokemon Illustrator card, which he occasionally wears around his neck when he wrestles in WWE.) Beyond this, there's an appealing simplicity to Pokemon, in that your turn is largely your own; you aren't overlapping moves or playing over your opponent's turn, which makes things a lot more streamlined. You can check out our guide to all of the upcoming Pokemon TCG releases coming in 2024 and beyond. Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Recognized in 2009 by Guinness as the highest-selling trading card game in the world, Yu-Gi-Oh! popularized chains as a gameplay mechanic, and it was considerably more chaotic than its predecessors. You're often countering and making significant moves during your opponent's turn in addition to your own, and on its highest levels, the victor can be determined on a starting hand and who goes first. Your enjoyment will largely depend on who you learn from, especially if you're coming into the game cold. The Newcomers The seven TCGs below might not have the decades-long legacies of the Big Three, but they're making plenty of noise and are worth checking out. Digimon TCG Newly revamped for 2020, Digimon's main draw is its progression: Hatch an egg, have it undergo Digivolution (which allows you to improve upon your Digimon's stats), and move it to the Battle Area to attack your opponent. It is still a newer TCG game, relatively speaking, which means that it doesn't have the legacy baggage of the prior three. The community is notably welcoming and open to new innovations, and the metagame is diverse and still in the process of being defined. Netrunner Set in a cyberpunk dystopia, Netrunner, which pits hackers against a faceless corporate entity, has a long, complex history. The original physical card game came out in 1996, and it was revamped and released as Android: Netrunner in 2012. Today, it currently exists as an ongoing fan project. Non-profit game publisher Null Signal Games releases new starter and expansion sets, and the PDFs are all available on a pay-what-you-want basis. These new sets are also compatible with the prior Android: Netrunner sets, and everything, from the artwork to the new mechanics, feels legitimate and true to form. Disney Lorcana When Disney commits to something, they go full throttle. Disney Lorcana, which draws from over 100 years of Disney animated history, takes full advantage of the nostalgia and sea of creative properties inherent in its brand. Instead of land, you summon with ink, and true to Disney's family-friendly image, you accumulate 20 points instead of decimating your opponent's life to win. There are currently over 600 different cards in print between the starter set and the two expansions. The newest expansion, Chapter 4: Ursula's Return, launched on May 31. Marvel Champions: The Card Game Name recognition goes a long way. In Marvel Champions, select the specific Marvel superhero that you want to play. Then, team up with other players and work through different scenarios, in which you defeat villains and foil their schemes. The Core set starts you with five different selectable heroes: Iron Man, Black Panther, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and She-Hulk. Subsequent Expansion packs give you prebuilt decks that allow you to play as over 30 additional characters and face additional villains with different storylines. It's among one of our favorite Marvel card games available. Arkham Horror: The Card Game Inspired by the 1981 horror RPG Call of Cthulhu, Arkham Horror is a supernatural, Lovecraftian mystery game. It puts you in the shoes of an investigator, who must work through a creepy horror scenario and emerge with their body and sanity intact. You start by choosing an investigator: a Guardian, Seeker, Rogue, Mystic, Survivor, or Neutral, each of which has its specific strengths and weaknesses. Then, you investigate missing people, creepy cults, rumors of a lost ancient city, and more. It's all very evocative and tentacled. It's a great RPG card game worth getting into Star Wars Unlimited Star Wars: Unlimited is a brand new card game, but the established pre-existing universe of Star Wars makes this an excellent place to start; its longevity is nearly guaranteed, given the franchise's popularity. You play as a leader of your respective faction – the starter set includes Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. Then you wage war, sending out droids and troops or using Force powers until one base is destroyed. The current set, Spark of Rebellion, focuses largely on the events of the original trilogy. The most recent expansion set, Shadows of the Galaxy, focuses on the criminal underbelly of the galaxy, and features mercenaries and bounty hunters. Flesh and Blood The creators of Flesh and Blood are traditionalists; they designed their game to be played in person – hence, in “Flesh and Blood” – rather than an online format. The game is fantasy-themed, and you have a hero who falls into one of 11 classes: Assassin, Brute, Guardian, Illusionist, Mechanologist, Merchant, Ninja, Ranger, Runeblade, Warrior, or Wizard. You equip your hero, build a deck around them, and send them into battle with spells, blows, and counterblows at the ready. Kevin Wong is a contributing freelancer for IGN, specializing in LEGO and Card Games. His byline has appeared in numerous publications, including Complex, Engadget, Vice, Playboy, Gamespot, Popverse, and Kotaku. A pop culture aficionado, Kevin has written long-form features on a wide range of subjects, including movies and television, video games, professional wrestling, comics, and emerging tech. He lives in New York with his wife and son. Follow him on Twitter at @kevinjameswong.

IGN

The Best Trading Card Games Worth Getting Into - IGN

The Best Trading Card Games Worth Getting Into Today, card games are everywhere, but in 1993, the trading card game (TCG) genre was born with just one: Magic: The Gathering, created by Richard Garfield. I became a fan a few years later, in 1996, during the release of the Fourth Edition core set. Once I got the hang of the game, I was hooked for nearly three years. The artwork drew me in, and the flavor text – often witty, dark, and sarcastic – kept me entertained, but what I loved most was playing. The tactile thrill of placing a card on the table, imagining myself as a powerful planeswalker commanding forces beyond mortal comprehension, was unbeatable. Though other trading card games existed back then, my loyalty to Magic: The Gathering consumed both my attention and my budget. Fast forward to today, and the landscape is even more crowded. The old titans of the genre are still thriving, while countless newer games vie for attention, each bringing something unique to the table. With that in mind, here are the 10 best trading and living card games to dive into in 2024 – games that are fun to play, boast active communities, and have the potential for long-term growth. Whatever you decide to try out and play, make sure you have a community to share it with: either a local one where you live or an online one that is supportive. The community surrounding the game is as important as the game itself. The Big Three These are the established choices for anyone who's deciding on a trading card game. Magic: The Gathering The original trading card playing experience, Magic: The Gathering established so many norms that we take for granted today. Plains, Swamps, Forests, Mountains, Islands – these were the lands you drew power from, to call angels, demons, zombies, orcs, goblins, and enchanted creatures to your side. The benefits of picking up Magic: The Gathering now, nearly 30 years into its run, are the same as the drawbacks: It's just so big at this point. There's a lot to explore and play with, but it can be intimidating and overwhelming to learn it from scratch. As was true back when I started playing, the best way to learn is not by reading the instruction booklet that comes with every starter deck, but by having a friend walk you through a match. You can check out our guide to all of the upcoming MTG releases coming in 2024 and beyond. Pokémon TCG Still popular after all these years, Pokemon TCG started in 1996. Its cards in America were originally published by Wizards of the Coast, the same company that published Magic: The Gathering. Pokemon's fan base has always been more collector-heavy than player-heavy, but this has been especially true in recent years, as the value of Pokemon cards has continued to go up. (Most famously in 2021, Logan Paul paid $5.27 million for a Grade 10 Pokemon Illustrator card, which he occasionally wears around his neck when he wrestles in WWE.) Beyond this, there's an appealing simplicity to Pokemon, in that your turn is largely your own; you aren't overlapping moves or playing over your opponent's turn, which makes things a lot more streamlined. You can check out our guide to all of the upcoming Pokemon TCG releases coming in 2024 and beyond. Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Recognized in 2009 by Guinness as the highest-selling trading card game in the world, Yu-Gi-Oh! popularized chains as a gameplay mechanic, and it was considerably more chaotic than its predecessors. You're often countering and making significant moves during your opponent's turn in addition to your own, and on its highest levels, the victor can be determined on a starting hand and who goes first. Your enjoyment will largely depend on who you learn from, especially if you're coming into the game cold. The Newcomers The seven TCGs below might not have the decades-long legacies of the Big Three, but they're making plenty of noise and are worth checking out. Digimon TCG Newly revamped for 2020, Digimon's main draw is its progression: Hatch an egg, have it undergo Digivolution (which allows you to improve upon your Digimon's stats), and move it to the Battle Area to attack your opponent. It is still a newer TCG game, relatively speaking, which means that it doesn't have the legacy baggage of the prior three. The community is notably welcoming and open to new innovations, and the metagame is diverse and still in the process of being defined. Netrunner Set in a cyberpunk dystopia, Netrunner, which pits hackers against a faceless corporate entity, has a long, complex history. The original physical card game came out in 1996, and it was revamped and released as Android: Netrunner in 2012. Today, it currently exists as an ongoing fan project. Non-profit game publisher Null Signal Games releases new starter and expansion sets, and the PDFs are all available on a pay-what-you-want basis. These new sets are also compatible with the prior Android: Netrunner sets, and everything, from the artwork to the new mechanics, feels legitimate and true to form. Disney Lorcana When Disney commits to something, they go full throttle. Disney Lorcana, which draws from over 100 years of Disney animated history, takes full advantage of the nostalgia and sea of creative properties inherent in its brand. Instead of land, you summon with ink, and true to Disney's family-friendly image, you accumulate 20 points instead of decimating your opponent's life to win. There are currently over 600 different cards in print between the starter set and the two expansions. The newest expansion, Chapter 4: Ursula's Return, launched on May 31. Marvel Champions: The Card Game Name recognition goes a long way. In Marvel Champions, select the specific Marvel superhero that you want to play. Then, team up with other players and work through different scenarios, in which you defeat villains and foil their schemes. The Core set starts you with five different selectable heroes: Iron Man, Black Panther, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and She-Hulk. Subsequent Expansion packs give you prebuilt decks that allow you to play as over 30 additional characters and face additional villains with different storylines. It's among one of our favorite Marvel card games available. Arkham Horror: The Card Game Inspired by the 1981 horror RPG Call of Cthulhu, Arkham Horror is a supernatural, Lovecraftian mystery game. It puts you in the shoes of an investigator, who must work through a creepy horror scenario and emerge with their body and sanity intact. You start by choosing an investigator: a Guardian, Seeker, Rogue, Mystic, Survivor, or Neutral, each of which has its specific strengths and weaknesses. Then, you investigate missing people, creepy cults, rumors of a lost ancient city, and more. It's all very evocative and tentacled. It's a great RPG card game worth getting into Star Wars Unlimited Star Wars: Unlimited is a brand new card game, but the established pre-existing universe of Star Wars makes this an excellent place to start; its longevity is nearly guaranteed, given the franchise's popularity. You play as a leader of your respective faction – the starter set includes Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. Then you wage war, sending out droids and troops or using Force powers until one base is destroyed. The current set, Spark of Rebellion, focuses largely on the events of the original trilogy. The most recent expansion set, Shadows of the Galaxy, focuses on the criminal underbelly of the galaxy, and features mercenaries and bounty hunters. Flesh and Blood The creators of Flesh and Blood are traditionalists; they designed their game to be played in person – hence, in “Flesh and Blood” – rather than an online format. The game is fantasy-themed, and you have a hero who falls into one of 11 classes: Assassin, Brute, Guardian, Illusionist, Mechanologist, Merchant, Ninja, Ranger, Runeblade, Warrior, or Wizard. You equip your hero, build a deck around them, and send them into battle with spells, blows, and counterblows at the ready. Kevin Wong is a contributing freelancer for IGN, specializing in LEGO and Card Games. His byline has appeared in numerous publications, including Complex, Engadget, Vice, Playboy, Gamespot, Popverse, and Kotaku. A pop culture aficionado, Kevin has written long-form features on a wide range of subjects, including movies and television, video games, professional wrestling, comics, and emerging tech. He lives in New York with his wife and son. Follow him on Twitter at @kevinjameswong.

IGN

The Best Trading Card Games Worth Getting Into - IGN

The Best Trading Card Games Worth Getting Into Today, card games are everywhere, but in 1993, the trading card game (TCG) genre was born with just one: Magic: The Gathering, created by Richard Garfield. I became a fan a few years later, in 1996, during the release of the Fourth Edition core set. Once I got the hang of the game, I was hooked for nearly three years. The artwork drew me in, and the flavor text – often witty, dark, and sarcastic – kept me entertained, but what I loved most was playing. The tactile thrill of placing a card on the table, imagining myself as a powerful planeswalker commanding forces beyond mortal comprehension, was unbeatable. Though other trading card games existed back then, my loyalty to Magic: The Gathering consumed both my attention and my budget. Fast forward to today, and the landscape is even more crowded. The old titans of the genre are still thriving, while countless newer games vie for attention, each bringing something unique to the table. With that in mind, here are the 10 best trading and living card games to dive into in 2024 – games that are fun to play, boast active communities, and have the potential for long-term growth. Whatever you decide to try out and play, make sure you have a community to share it with: either a local one where you live or an online one that is supportive. The community surrounding the game is as important as the game itself. The Big Three These are the established choices for anyone who's deciding on a trading card game. Magic: The Gathering The original trading card playing experience, Magic: The Gathering established so many norms that we take for granted today. Plains, Swamps, Forests, Mountains, Islands – these were the lands you drew power from, to call angels, demons, zombies, orcs, goblins, and enchanted creatures to your side. The benefits of picking up Magic: The Gathering now, nearly 30 years into its run, are the same as the drawbacks: It's just so big at this point. There's a lot to explore and play with, but it can be intimidating and overwhelming to learn it from scratch. As was true back when I started playing, the best way to learn is not by reading the instruction booklet that comes with every starter deck, but by having a friend walk you through a match. You can check out our guide to all of the upcoming MTG releases coming in 2024 and beyond. Pokémon TCG Still popular after all these years, Pokemon TCG started in 1996. Its cards in America were originally published by Wizards of the Coast, the same company that published Magic: The Gathering. Pokemon's fan base has always been more collector-heavy than player-heavy, but this has been especially true in recent years, as the value of Pokemon cards has continued to go up. (Most famously in 2021, Logan Paul paid $5.27 million for a Grade 10 Pokemon Illustrator card, which he occasionally wears around his neck when he wrestles in WWE.) Beyond this, there's an appealing simplicity to Pokemon, in that your turn is largely your own; you aren't overlapping moves or playing over your opponent's turn, which makes things a lot more streamlined. You can check out our guide to all of the upcoming Pokemon TCG releases coming in 2024 and beyond. Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Recognized in 2009 by Guinness as the highest-selling trading card game in the world, Yu-Gi-Oh! popularized chains as a gameplay mechanic, and it was considerably more chaotic than its predecessors. You're often countering and making significant moves during your opponent's turn in addition to your own, and on its highest levels, the victor can be determined on a starting hand and who goes first. Your enjoyment will largely depend on who you learn from, especially if you're coming into the game cold. The Newcomers The seven TCGs below might not have the decades-long legacies of the Big Three, but they're making plenty of noise and are worth checking out. Digimon TCG Newly revamped for 2020, Digimon's main draw is its progression: Hatch an egg, have it undergo Digivolution (which allows you to improve upon your Digimon's stats), and move it to the Battle Area to attack your opponent. It is still a newer TCG game, relatively speaking, which means that it doesn't have the legacy baggage of the prior three. The community is notably welcoming and open to new innovations, and the metagame is diverse and still in the process of being defined. Netrunner Set in a cyberpunk dystopia, Netrunner, which pits hackers against a faceless corporate entity, has a long, complex history. The original physical card game came out in 1996, and it was revamped and released as Android: Netrunner in 2012. Today, it currently exists as an ongoing fan project. Non-profit game publisher Null Signal Games releases new starter and expansion sets, and the PDFs are all available on a pay-what-you-want basis. These new sets are also compatible with the prior Android: Netrunner sets, and everything, from the artwork to the new mechanics, feels legitimate and true to form. Disney Lorcana When Disney commits to something, they go full throttle. Disney Lorcana, which draws from over 100 years of Disney animated history, takes full advantage of the nostalgia and sea of creative properties inherent in its brand. Instead of land, you summon with ink, and true to Disney's family-friendly image, you accumulate 20 points instead of decimating your opponent's life to win. There are currently over 600 different cards in print between the starter set and the two expansions. The newest expansion, Chapter 4: Ursula's Return, launched on May 31. Marvel Champions: The Card Game Name recognition goes a long way. In Marvel Champions, select the specific Marvel superhero that you want to play. Then, team up with other players and work through different scenarios, in which you defeat villains and foil their schemes. The Core set starts you with five different selectable heroes: Iron Man, Black Panther, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and She-Hulk. Subsequent Expansion packs give you prebuilt decks that allow you to play as over 30 additional characters and face additional villains with different storylines. It's among one of our favorite Marvel card games available. Arkham Horror: The Card Game Inspired by the 1981 horror RPG Call of Cthulhu, Arkham Horror is a supernatural, Lovecraftian mystery game. It puts you in the shoes of an investigator, who must work through a creepy horror scenario and emerge with their body and sanity intact. You start by choosing an investigator: a Guardian, Seeker, Rogue, Mystic, Survivor, or Neutral, each of which has its specific strengths and weaknesses. Then, you investigate missing people, creepy cults, rumors of a lost ancient city, and more. It's all very evocative and tentacled. It's a great RPG card game worth getting into Star Wars Unlimited Star Wars: Unlimited is a brand new card game, but the established pre-existing universe of Star Wars makes this an excellent place to start; its longevity is nearly guaranteed, given the franchise's popularity. You play as a leader of your respective faction – the starter set includes Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. Then you wage war, sending out droids and troops or using Force powers until one base is destroyed. The current set, Spark of Rebellion, focuses largely on the events of the original trilogy. The most recent expansion set, Shadows of the Galaxy, focuses on the criminal underbelly of the galaxy, and features mercenaries and bounty hunters. Flesh and Blood The creators of Flesh and Blood are traditionalists; they designed their game to be played in person – hence, in “Flesh and Blood” – rather than an online format. The game is fantasy-themed, and you have a hero who falls into one of 11 classes: Assassin, Brute, Guardian, Illusionist, Mechanologist, Merchant, Ninja, Ranger, Runeblade, Warrior, or Wizard. You equip your hero, build a deck around them, and send them into battle with spells, blows, and counterblows at the ready. Kevin Wong is a contributing freelancer for IGN, specializing in LEGO and Card Games. His byline has appeared in numerous publications, including Complex, Engadget, Vice, Playboy, Gamespot, Popverse, and Kotaku. A pop culture aficionado, Kevin has written long-form features on a wide range of subjects, including movies and television, video games, professional wrestling, comics, and emerging tech. He lives in New York with his wife and son. Follow him on Twitter at @kevinjameswong.

IGN

The Best Trading Card Games Worth Getting Into - IGN

The Best Trading Card Games Worth Getting Into Today, card games are everywhere, but in 1993, the trading card game (TCG) genre was born with just one: Magic: The Gathering, created by Richard Garfield. I became a fan a few years later, in 1996, during the release of the Fourth Edition core set. Once I got the hang of the game, I was hooked for nearly three years. The artwork drew me in, and the flavor text – often witty, dark, and sarcastic – kept me entertained, but what I loved most was playing. The tactile thrill of placing a card on the table, imagining myself as a powerful planeswalker commanding forces beyond mortal comprehension, was unbeatable. Though other trading card games existed back then, my loyalty to Magic: The Gathering consumed both my attention and my budget. Fast forward to today, and the landscape is even more crowded. The old titans of the genre are still thriving, while countless newer games vie for attention, each bringing something unique to the table. With that in mind, here are the 10 best trading and living card games to dive into in 2024 – games that are fun to play, boast active communities, and have the potential for long-term growth. Whatever you decide to try out and play, make sure you have a community to share it with: either a local one where you live or an online one that is supportive. The community surrounding the game is as important as the game itself. The Big Three These are the established choices for anyone who's deciding on a trading card game. Magic: The Gathering The original trading card playing experience, Magic: The Gathering established so many norms that we take for granted today. Plains, Swamps, Forests, Mountains, Islands – these were the lands you drew power from, to call angels, demons, zombies, orcs, goblins, and enchanted creatures to your side. The benefits of picking up Magic: The Gathering now, nearly 30 years into its run, are the same as the drawbacks: It's just so big at this point. There's a lot to explore and play with, but it can be intimidating and overwhelming to learn it from scratch. As was true back when I started playing, the best way to learn is not by reading the instruction booklet that comes with every starter deck, but by having a friend walk you through a match. You can check out our guide to all of the upcoming MTG releases coming in 2024 and beyond. Pokémon TCG Still popular after all these years, Pokemon TCG started in 1996. Its cards in America were originally published by Wizards of the Coast, the same company that published Magic: The Gathering. Pokemon's fan base has always been more collector-heavy than player-heavy, but this has been especially true in recent years, as the value of Pokemon cards has continued to go up. (Most famously in 2021, Logan Paul paid $5.27 million for a Grade 10 Pokemon Illustrator card, which he occasionally wears around his neck when he wrestles in WWE.) Beyond this, there's an appealing simplicity to Pokemon, in that your turn is largely your own; you aren't overlapping moves or playing over your opponent's turn, which makes things a lot more streamlined. You can check out our guide to all of the upcoming Pokemon TCG releases coming in 2024 and beyond. Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Recognized in 2009 by Guinness as the highest-selling trading card game in the world, Yu-Gi-Oh! popularized chains as a gameplay mechanic, and it was considerably more chaotic than its predecessors. You're often countering and making significant moves during your opponent's turn in addition to your own, and on its highest levels, the victor can be determined on a starting hand and who goes first. Your enjoyment will largely depend on who you learn from, especially if you're coming into the game cold. The Newcomers The seven TCGs below might not have the decades-long legacies of the Big Three, but they're making plenty of noise and are worth checking out. Digimon TCG Newly revamped for 2020, Digimon's main draw is its progression: Hatch an egg, have it undergo Digivolution (which allows you to improve upon your Digimon's stats), and move it to the Battle Area to attack your opponent. It is still a newer TCG game, relatively speaking, which means that it doesn't have the legacy baggage of the prior three. The community is notably welcoming and open to new innovations, and the metagame is diverse and still in the process of being defined. Netrunner Set in a cyberpunk dystopia, Netrunner, which pits hackers against a faceless corporate entity, has a long, complex history. The original physical card game came out in 1996, and it was revamped and released as Android: Netrunner in 2012. Today, it currently exists as an ongoing fan project. Non-profit game publisher Null Signal Games releases new starter and expansion sets, and the PDFs are all available on a pay-what-you-want basis. These new sets are also compatible with the prior Android: Netrunner sets, and everything, from the artwork to the new mechanics, feels legitimate and true to form. Disney Lorcana When Disney commits to something, they go full throttle. Disney Lorcana, which draws from over 100 years of Disney animated history, takes full advantage of the nostalgia and sea of creative properties inherent in its brand. Instead of land, you summon with ink, and true to Disney's family-friendly image, you accumulate 20 points instead of decimating your opponent's life to win. There are currently over 600 different cards in print between the starter set and the two expansions. The newest expansion, Chapter 4: Ursula's Return, launched on May 31. Marvel Champions: The Card Game Name recognition goes a long way. In Marvel Champions, select the specific Marvel superhero that you want to play. Then, team up with other players and work through different scenarios, in which you defeat villains and foil their schemes. The Core set starts you with five different selectable heroes: Iron Man, Black Panther, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and She-Hulk. Subsequent Expansion packs give you prebuilt decks that allow you to play as over 30 additional characters and face additional villains with different storylines. It's among one of our favorite Marvel card games available. Arkham Horror: The Card Game Inspired by the 1981 horror RPG Call of Cthulhu, Arkham Horror is a supernatural, Lovecraftian mystery game. It puts you in the shoes of an investigator, who must work through a creepy horror scenario and emerge with their body and sanity intact. You start by choosing an investigator: a Guardian, Seeker, Rogue, Mystic, Survivor, or Neutral, each of which has its specific strengths and weaknesses. Then, you investigate missing people, creepy cults, rumors of a lost ancient city, and more. It's all very evocative and tentacled. It's a great RPG card game worth getting into Star Wars Unlimited Star Wars: Unlimited is a brand new card game, but the established pre-existing universe of Star Wars makes this an excellent place to start; its longevity is nearly guaranteed, given the franchise's popularity. You play as a leader of your respective faction – the starter set includes Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. Then you wage war, sending out droids and troops or using Force powers until one base is destroyed. The current set, Spark of Rebellion, focuses largely on the events of the original trilogy. The most recent expansion set, Shadows of the Galaxy, focuses on the criminal underbelly of the galaxy, and features mercenaries and bounty hunters. Flesh and Blood The creators of Flesh and Blood are traditionalists; they designed their game to be played in person – hence, in “Flesh and Blood” – rather than an online format. The game is fantasy-themed, and you have a hero who falls into one of 11 classes: Assassin, Brute, Guardian, Illusionist, Mechanologist, Merchant, Ninja, Ranger, Runeblade, Warrior, or Wizard. You equip your hero, build a deck around them, and send them into battle with spells, blows, and counterblows at the ready. Kevin Wong is a contributing freelancer for IGN, specializing in LEGO and Card Games. His byline has appeared in numerous publications, including Complex, Engadget, Vice, Playboy, Gamespot, Popverse, and Kotaku. A pop culture aficionado, Kevin has written long-form features on a wide range of subjects, including movies and television, video games, professional wrestling, comics, and emerging tech. He lives in New York with his wife and son. Follow him on Twitter at @kevinjameswong.

IGN

The Best Trading Card Games Worth Getting Into - IGN

The Best Trading Card Games Worth Getting Into Today, card games are everywhere, but in 1993, the trading card game (TCG) genre was born with just one: Magic: The Gathering, created by Richard Garfield. I became a fan a few years later, in 1996, during the release of the Fourth Edition core set. Once I got the hang of the game, I was hooked for nearly three years. The artwork drew me in, and the flavor text – often witty, dark, and sarcastic – kept me entertained, but what I loved most was playing. The tactile thrill of placing a card on the table, imagining myself as a powerful planeswalker commanding forces beyond mortal comprehension, was unbeatable. Though other trading card games existed back then, my loyalty to Magic: The Gathering consumed both my attention and my budget. Fast forward to today, and the landscape is even more crowded. The old titans of the genre are still thriving, while countless newer games vie for attention, each bringing something unique to the table. With that in mind, here are the 10 best trading and living card games to dive into in 2024 – games that are fun to play, boast active communities, and have the potential for long-term growth. Whatever you decide to try out and play, make sure you have a community to share it with: either a local one where you live or an online one that is supportive. The community surrounding the game is as important as the game itself. The Big Three These are the established choices for anyone who's deciding on a trading card game. Magic: The Gathering The original trading card playing experience, Magic: The Gathering established so many norms that we take for granted today. Plains, Swamps, Forests, Mountains, Islands – these were the lands you drew power from, to call angels, demons, zombies, orcs, goblins, and enchanted creatures to your side. The benefits of picking up Magic: The Gathering now, nearly 30 years into its run, are the same as the drawbacks: It's just so big at this point. There's a lot to explore and play with, but it can be intimidating and overwhelming to learn it from scratch. As was true back when I started playing, the best way to learn is not by reading the instruction booklet that comes with every starter deck, but by having a friend walk you through a match. You can check out our guide to all of the upcoming MTG releases coming in 2024 and beyond. Pokémon TCG Still popular after all these years, Pokemon TCG started in 1996. Its cards in America were originally published by Wizards of the Coast, the same company that published Magic: The Gathering. Pokemon's fan base has always been more collector-heavy than player-heavy, but this has been especially true in recent years, as the value of Pokemon cards has continued to go up. (Most famously in 2021, Logan Paul paid $5.27 million for a Grade 10 Pokemon Illustrator card, which he occasionally wears around his neck when he wrestles in WWE.) Beyond this, there's an appealing simplicity to Pokemon, in that your turn is largely your own; you aren't overlapping moves or playing over your opponent's turn, which makes things a lot more streamlined. You can check out our guide to all of the upcoming Pokemon TCG releases coming in 2024 and beyond. Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Recognized in 2009 by Guinness as the highest-selling trading card game in the world, Yu-Gi-Oh! popularized chains as a gameplay mechanic, and it was considerably more chaotic than its predecessors. You're often countering and making significant moves during your opponent's turn in addition to your own, and on its highest levels, the victor can be determined on a starting hand and who goes first. Your enjoyment will largely depend on who you learn from, especially if you're coming into the game cold. The Newcomers The seven TCGs below might not have the decades-long legacies of the Big Three, but they're making plenty of noise and are worth checking out. Digimon TCG Newly revamped for 2020, Digimon's main draw is its progression: Hatch an egg, have it undergo Digivolution (which allows you to improve upon your Digimon's stats), and move it to the Battle Area to attack your opponent. It is still a newer TCG game, relatively speaking, which means that it doesn't have the legacy baggage of the prior three. The community is notably welcoming and open to new innovations, and the metagame is diverse and still in the process of being defined. Netrunner Set in a cyberpunk dystopia, Netrunner, which pits hackers against a faceless corporate entity, has a long, complex history. The original physical card game came out in 1996, and it was revamped and released as Android: Netrunner in 2012. Today, it currently exists as an ongoing fan project. Non-profit game publisher Null Signal Games releases new starter and expansion sets, and the PDFs are all available on a pay-what-you-want basis. These new sets are also compatible with the prior Android: Netrunner sets, and everything, from the artwork to the new mechanics, feels legitimate and true to form. Disney Lorcana When Disney commits to something, they go full throttle. Disney Lorcana, which draws from over 100 years of Disney animated history, takes full advantage of the nostalgia and sea of creative properties inherent in its brand. Instead of land, you summon with ink, and true to Disney's family-friendly image, you accumulate 20 points instead of decimating your opponent's life to win. There are currently over 600 different cards in print between the starter set and the two expansions. The newest expansion, Chapter 4: Ursula's Return, launched on May 31. Marvel Champions: The Card Game Name recognition goes a long way. In Marvel Champions, select the specific Marvel superhero that you want to play. Then, team up with other players and work through different scenarios, in which you defeat villains and foil their schemes. The Core set starts you with five different selectable heroes: Iron Man, Black Panther, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and She-Hulk. Subsequent Expansion packs give you prebuilt decks that allow you to play as over 30 additional characters and face additional villains with different storylines. It's among one of our favorite Marvel card games available. Arkham Horror: The Card Game Inspired by the 1981 horror RPG Call of Cthulhu, Arkham Horror is a supernatural, Lovecraftian mystery game. It puts you in the shoes of an investigator, who must work through a creepy horror scenario and emerge with their body and sanity intact. You start by choosing an investigator: a Guardian, Seeker, Rogue, Mystic, Survivor, or Neutral, each of which has its specific strengths and weaknesses. Then, you investigate missing people, creepy cults, rumors of a lost ancient city, and more. It's all very evocative and tentacled. It's a great RPG card game worth getting into Star Wars Unlimited Star Wars: Unlimited is a brand new card game, but the established pre-existing universe of Star Wars makes this an excellent place to start; its longevity is nearly guaranteed, given the franchise's popularity. You play as a leader of your respective faction – the starter set includes Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. Then you wage war, sending out droids and troops or using Force powers until one base is destroyed. The current set, Spark of Rebellion, focuses largely on the events of the original trilogy. The most recent expansion set, Shadows of the Galaxy, focuses on the criminal underbelly of the galaxy, and features mercenaries and bounty hunters. Flesh and Blood The creators of Flesh and Blood are traditionalists; they designed their game to be played in person – hence, in “Flesh and Blood” – rather than an online format. The game is fantasy-themed, and you have a hero who falls into one of 11 classes: Assassin, Brute, Guardian, Illusionist, Mechanologist, Merchant, Ninja, Ranger, Runeblade, Warrior, or Wizard. You equip your hero, build a deck around them, and send them into battle with spells, blows, and counterblows at the ready. Kevin Wong is a contributing freelancer for IGN, specializing in LEGO and Card Games. His byline has appeared in numerous publications, including Complex, Engadget, Vice, Playboy, Gamespot, Popverse, and Kotaku. A pop culture aficionado, Kevin has written long-form features on a wide range of subjects, including movies and television, video games, professional wrestling, comics, and emerging tech. He lives in New York with his wife and son. Follow him on Twitter at @kevinjameswong.

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The Best Trading Card Games Worth Getting Into - IGN

Megalopolis Ending Explained, Plus What Is the Immersive Experience? Let's try to make sense of Francis Ford Coppola’s sci-fi opus Megalopolis. It's time for a post-credits scene check-in, our ending explained, and a look at what the immersive Ultimate Experience is!

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Megalopolis Movie Ending Explained, Plus What Is the Immersive Experience? - IGN

Let's try to make sense of Francis Ford Coppola’s sci-fi opus Megalopolis. It's time for a post-credits scene check-in, our ending explained, and...

Best iPhone Alternatives 2024: Get a Great Android Phone Instead iPhones are everywhere these days, and if you're sick of Apple's phones, they're definitely not your only option. Check out the best iPhone alternatives you can buy today.

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The Best iPhone Alternatives 2025: Get a Great Android Phone Instead - IGN

iPhones are everywhere. If you don't want to buy into the iOS ecosystem, luckily they're definitely not your only option. Check out the best iPhone...

Enter to Win a Custom Xbox Series X, Women of Marvel: The Portrait Collection Print, and More on IGN Rewards Are you looking for the opportunity to win new games, consoles, and accessories? Look no further than IGN Rewards! Multiple new giveaways and deals are now available for members this October! If you're not familiar with IGN Rewards, it's a platform free for all registered IGN users. You can enter into new giveaways each month, claim exclusive discounts, and so much more! This month, you can enter to win a Women of Marvel: The Portrait Collection Print, a Custom Crossy Road Castle Xbox Series X, a 12% discount for LA Comic Con 2024, a Warcraft Rumble PURE KICK Collection, and more! Check out all the available IGN Rewards for October 2024 below, and be sure to enter before these giveaways close. Note: Giveaways are exclusive to accounts based in the United States unless noted otherwise. Enter to Win a Women of Marvel: The Portrait Collection Print! Tristan Eaton, a renowned muralist and artist, has recently released his latest art print collection, Women of Marvel: The Portrait Collection Print, in collaboration with Marvel Entertainment. 1,500 prints are available in this collection, with 26 different original hand-painted portraits. To celebrate this landmark achievement, two IGN readers will win one randomly selected one of a kind print from Tristan Eaton, valued at $300 each. This giveaway will end on October 18 at 12 PM PST. Enter to Win a Custom Crossy Road Castle Themed Xbox Series X! Next, to celebrate Crossy Road Castle's recent release on console, IGN readers will have the chance to win a custom Crossy Road Castle Xbox Series X! One grand prize winner will win the custom Crossy Road Castle Xbox Series X and one game key. Additionally, ten runner-ups will be selected to win one Crossy Road Castle game key. This giveaway ends on October 23 at 12PM PST. Enjoy an Exclusive 12% Discount on LA Comic Con 2024 Tickets! To celebrate IGN becoming the exclusive media and streaming partner for Los Angeles Comic Con 2024, you can now claim a 12% discount on tickets to the event! Taking place from October 4-6, the Los Angeles Comic Con 2024 event is perfect for any fan of pop culture, comics, movies, sci-fi, anime, gaming, and more! IGN will be attending the event, hosting a variety of livestreams and content coverage. Be sure to claim this reward before the event! Enter to Win Kits of the Warcraft Rumble PURE KICK Collection! To celebrate the Warcraft Rumble x PURE KICK collection, ten IGN readers will win an influencer kit! This package includes one 16oz Tumbler & Straw, one large 30 count variety pack of the Warcraft Rumble Drink Mixes, three small 6 count individual flavors packs, and five post cards containing in-game content for Warcraft Rumble. This giveaway is set to end on October 31 at 12 AM PST. Pokémon Masters Ex Turns 5! Win Poké Items From the Pokémon Center! To celebrate the fifth anniversary of Pokémon Masters EX, IGN is giving 10 winners the chance to win some amazing prizes! Each of these winners will receive one Arceus Poké Plush, one Pokémon Giant Pins: Arceus Oversize Pin, and finally, one Pokémon Trainers Black Oversize Drop-Shoulder Crew Neck Sweatshirt. This giveaway is set to end on October 10 at 12PM PT. About IGN Rewards IGN Rewards is a free platform that allows IGN readers to access free giveaways, discounts, and offers. You'll only need to create an IGN account to be eligible for the program. If you'd like to further your IGN Rewards experience, you can check out IGN Plus, where you can earn monthly games, ad-free browsing, and so much more.

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Enter to Win a Custom Xbox Series X, Women of Marvel: The Portrait Collection Print, and More on IGN Rewards - IGN

DualSense vs. DualSense Edge: Which PS5 Controller Should You Buy? The PS5 comes with a controller in the box, but if you're going to buy a second gamepad, should you get the DualSense Edge or the DualSense?

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DualSense vs. DualSense Edge: Which PS5 Controller Should You Buy? - IGN

The PS5 comes with a controller in the box, but if you're going to buy a second gamepad, should you get the DualSense Edge or the DualSense?

Starfield: Shattered Space Expansion Global Launch Times Revealed Bethesda Game Studios has published Shattered Space global launch times for those looking to hop into the first major Starfield expansion on its PC and Xbox Series X | S release date.

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Starfield: Shattered Space Expansion Global Launch Times Revealed - IGN

Bethesda Game Studios has published Shattered Space global launch times for those looking to hop into the first major Starfield expansion on its PC...

Starfield: Shattered Space Expansion Global Launch Times Revealed Bethesda Game Studios has published Shattered Space global launch times for those looking to hop into the first major Starfield expansion on its PC and Xbox Series X | S release date.

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Starfield: Shattered Space Expansion Global Launch Times Revealed - IGN

Bethesda Game Studios has published Shattered Space global launch times for those looking to hop into the first major Starfield expansion on its PC...

Star Wars Outlaws Unveils Roadmap Leading Up to November Steam Release Ubisoft has unveiled the roadmap of what's to come over the next couple of months for Star Wars Outlaws, all leading up to its Steam release and first story pack in November.

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Star Wars Outlaws Unveils Roadmap Leading Up to November Steam Release - IGN

Ubisoft has unveiled the roadmap of what's to come over the next couple of months for Star Wars Outlaws, all leading up to its Steam release and fi...

Get a Portable 65W Dock Charger for Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck for Only $10.79 It has both USB-C and HDMI ports, just like the original Switch dock.

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Get a Portable 65W Dock Charger for Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck for Only $10.79 - IGN

It has both USB-C and HDMI ports, just like the original Switch dock.

How to Watch The Wild Robot – Showtimes and Streaming Status Here's all the info about how to watch the Lupita Nyong'o- and Pedro Pascal-led animated Dreamworks movie, from showtimes to streaming status.

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The Wild Robot Streaming Guide: Where to Watch the DreamWorks Movie Online - IGN

Here's all the info about how to watch the Lupita Nyong'o- and Pedro Pascal-led animated Dreamworks movie.

Joel and Ellie Are (Almost) Back and I'm Still Not Sure That's Billy | Streaming Rewind Streaming is jam packed this week with The Penguin, Agatha All Along, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and brand new trailers for the upcoming second seasons for series like The Last of Us on HBO and Shrinking on Apple TV+

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Joel and Ellie Are (Almost) Back and I'm Still Not Sure That's Billy | Streaming Rewind - IGN

Streaming is jam packed this week with The Penguin, Agatha All Along, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and brand new trailers for the upc...