Deckbuilding games are just ok in my book but there was something about this one that really appealed to me: The fact that it was free.
Call me old school if you want, but I actually prefer deckbuilding games if there is actually a deck of cards involved and another person or persons. This isn't always an option though, particularly now and I guess something like this is perfect given the current global situation.
My first introduction to this company was actually Hero Realms and rather than being futuristic and involving spaceships it was fantasy oriented with dragons and the like, which I actually prefer. However, there is not digital version of that unfortunately.
Star Realms functions like any other deckbuilding game in that there is a lot of luck involved in every game you play. Your ability to win is based very heavily on whether or not you get a good draw at the start and and subsequent discards and draws.
Now onto the best aspect of this game: It doesn't cost anything. Of course the play options are very limited in the free version and there is a bit of pressure to upgrade and buy new decks just like in any "free" game, but the free game does stand alone on its own and if you play online, you can choose to play against only other players that also have the free decks thereby eliminating a "pay to win" scenario.
You can watch this guy play a round and he does a reasonable job of going slow enough for you to get a feel for what is going on in the game.
The fact that the game is free is a plus and this is a pretty decent time sink and as opposed to other games I feel as though this, and other deckbuilders actually exercise your brain a bit, which is always a plus.
