Shadowverse" is now a real TCG!　Report on the first day of the "Shadowverse EVOLVE" beta test trial held in Akihabara!

The first beta test of the new TCG "Shadowverse EVOLVE" started on January 21, 2022 (Friday), the first day of the test, at the "CARD WORLD TOWER AKIBA" Trekker's Cave in Akihabara.

Shadowverse EVOLVE" is a trading card game released by Bushiroad, and is an adaptation of Cygames' online TCG "Shadowverse" into a game played with real cards. smartphone card battles come to life as a real card game!" It says.

The first day of the beta test, a hands-on event in Akihabara, was attended by game fans looking forward to the new game.

The trial session started with a voice saying "Battle, Shadowverse! The day started with a battle format, where players were able to learn the rules while using the Elf and Royal decks.

In "Shadowverse EVOLVE," each leader type, such as Alisa (Elf) and Erica (Royal), has a specific set of cards that can be used, and players summon units called followers by spending PP (play points) that increase each turn. The basic concept of the game is similar to that of the digital TCG version of the original game (hereinafter referred to as "DCG"): if the opponent player's health is reduced to zero by attacking, the player wins.

The key feature or system of "Shadowverse EVOLVE" as a card game is how to reproduce the unique DCG process of "evolution" and card creation in the game in an analog format.

PP, which fluctuates each turn, is displayed on the right side of the dedicated play mat in two rows of numbers from 0 to 10, with the maximum value and the current value. The system manually displays the PP status by moving a round circle placed on top of it.

The biggest change is in the evolution system, where the fixed number of "evolutions" in the DCG version has been replaced by "evolve," which can be done once per turn. Evolve uses PP, just like summoning followers, and the required cost is set for each card. The player who is behind receives two EP cards each game, which can be used as the cost of Evolve, in order to keep the balance between the first and second players.

The Evolve destination cards are prepared in the Evolve deck, which is separate from the regular deck. After paying the Evolve Cost, the Evolve card is searched from the Evolve Deck and placed on top of the original card to complete the Evolve.

Spells that generate a hand, such as "Fairy Circle," can be treated like a hand by bringing a token card from outside the deck and placing it in the EX area.

Changes in the status of followers due to effects such as Spells and accumulated battle damage are represented by placing dice with "+1 to +6" and "-1 to -6" written on each side. The dice are easy to understand, with two colors: red for strength and blue for attack power. It is not yet known if these items are planned to be sold, but we hope to see them commercialized, as having well-made items makes us feel good.

The trial session was played with Elf vs. Royal, but during the free play time, Nightmare and Witch decks were lent out to those who wanted to try them.

Although the experience was limited, the basic system of the DCG version is well integrated into a realistic card game, so those who have played "Shadowverse" on smartphones should be able to understand the system immediately. The biggest change is that the EP-based evolution of followers, which used to be limited to twice for the first turn and three times for the second turn, has been replaced by PP-based Evolve. It is possible to evolve every turn, and the gameplay is likely to change considerably, including the choice of whether to use up all PP to summon followers or to evolve them.

The first beta test trial has already been closed, but applications for the second beta test, which will be held from February 19 to March 13, 2022, are being accepted until 12:59 pm on February 10, so those who wish to participate should apply through Bushinavi.

As for product information, the first booster pack "Dawn of Genesis" and six starter decks will be released on April 28, 2022.