Never really got into these battle card games, but this is different. No big caluations, no need for a calulator and no need to strain your memory memorising your monsters HP.

Whilst one review didnt like the cotton mat, it is quite good quality and better than using another mterial such as paper (as some of these card games do). The graphics are very impressive and the animations are smooth. You can turn the animations of if you so wish.

You dont even need a controller for this game (expect for the menus) and the main game can be played with just cards - which is really cool and convient. The 'action cards' need to be held up to the eye which is a knack as you must get it the right distance from the eye and whithout obsuring the face of the card.

I personally dont mind the metal soundtrack it seems to suit the game (but when defeat is near - I hate it!). When the game starts to get a bit crowded (with lots of cards on the mat) there is often a problem with one card not being read properly - you fix that and in doing so, you ruin another card etc. Shadows are the main cause of this (so buy/get a desktop lamp or something!).

The game allows you focus on the great stratgry element - but the tutrials are more cofusing than they are helpful. Play with a friend the first few times and learn from each others mistakes - before challanging a computer or going online. The cards themselves are good quality and with currently over 110 crds to collect (with more on there way) the game always give you soemthing new.

All in all, a great game - a few reconigition problems can easily disrupt your game and put you right off it!