The new trading card game Altered has been launched. “Phygitales” wants to offer the novelty in the genre. This means a combination of physical gameplay and digital card collecting. The game is beautifully presented by suitable accessories, which – as in the case of Star Wars Unlimited – comes directly to the launch of Gamegenic.
2024 is a good year for fans of trading card games. Disney Lorcana consolidates its position in the genre with new sets, Star Wars Unlimited is really picking up speed thematically, classics like Magic the Gathering, Pokémon or Yu-Gi-Oh are continuing anyway. There are also titles like Flesh and Blood or One Piece. However, one of the most innovative trading card games is running almost under the radar, even though it is distributed by Asmodee: with Altered, the Equinox studio wants nothing less than to initiate a revolution in the scene.
Altered launches with accessories
The trading card game genre is in its new heyday. Getting started is easier than it has been for many years: newcomers now have the choice between various new trading card games. One of them is Altered.
The French studio Equinox came up with the concept, and industry giant Asmodee is behind the distribution. Coupled with the revolutionary idea of physical play and digital collecting, this combination could well ensure success. With its fresh approach, Altered has already caused a stir - the trading card game is no longer completely unknown. Equinox financed the title with crowdfunding via Kickstarter. The campaign caused quite a stir, generating 6,2 million euros, around 120 times the planned financing goal.
With the trading launch of the trading card game, things are getting serious: "Celebrate the release of Altered and take part in an in-store launch event to discover Beyond the Gates, the game's first core set," writes Asmodee. Similar to the launch of Star Wars Unlimited, smaller events are being held in local game stores where you can pick up the first promo boosters. So far, so familiar.
At first glance, Altered doesn't do much differently. It's a card game divided into different factions (currently 6), with which two players compete against each other, or three or four players - depending on the game mode selected. When it comes to the goal of the game, Altered takes a different path than many competitors: instead of simply shooting enemies with damaging spells to reduce their life points, Equinox's vision of a collectible card game is about discovering magical lands. Players use their expanded deck for this or access the starter deck at the beginning; the focus is also on a hero card. This idea is no longer a rarity in the TCG genre. Two markers have to meet on an adventure track, which players position on the edges. This trick alone is new and quite interesting. Because: In combination with the accessories from Gamegenic, Altered becomes a collectible card game with a nice table presence that is more reminiscent of a board game than a card game.
You can move the tokens by sending your characters on expeditions - but ultimately bring higher strength values to the table than your opponent. Altered is relatively simple in terms of its gameplay, is aimed particularly at beginners and is an excellent door opener for anyone who finds trading card games like Magic the Gathering or Star Wars Unlimited too complex or Disney Lorcana too focused on one token.
The great thing about Altered is that Equinox has created its own universe for the trading card game. The different factions each have their own approach, including their visual and thematic design. This makes the title a completely new experience. In terms of gameplay, it is relatively fast-paced, and the progression can be roughly compared to Star Wars Unlimited. It is an open exchange of blows with rapidly changing moves. This is exciting, but at the same time requires you to constantly react to your opponent's actions. Altered is also all about timing when playing cards in the respective zones. Once you have internalized this, you can optimize your strategies to get the tokens moving as quickly as possible. Altered plays differently depending on the faction, and this is also central to the idea.
Digital Collecting
The collecting aspect of Altered has been rethought. You can now make cards your digital property and trade them on the in-house marketplace. There will also be a print-on-demand service. You can print out cards and have them sent to you if you wish.
The highlight that everything revolves around: Every card in Altered has a QR code. You can scan this and declare yourself the owner of the respective card. Other trading card games such as Magic the Gathering or Pokémon have brought similar digital functions to the genre, but Equinox is taking the idea further with Altered. You will be able to import your deck onto platforms; for example, you can already play Altered on Board Game Arena.
Not every digital aspect is available yet, but the app is. It is the heart of the concept. Whether the plan works ultimately depends on the players. They have to accept the system and use it to their advantage. However, Altered works at the home gaming table without the bells and whistles. Then as an enormously beginner-friendly trading card game that can be seen more as an alternative to Disney Lorcana than as a competitor to much more complex trading card games such as Magic the Gathering or Star Wars Unlimited.
If the idea works out as Equinox imagines, Altered has the potential to at least breathe new life into the entire genre. If none of that works out, it will remain a colorful collectible card game with at least a new gameplay direction.
Gamegenic is the crowning glory of the trading card game: the accessories specialist provides fans with all sorts of pretty accessories from the start - from game mats to card sleeves and deck boxes to a wonderful adventure bar with standees. If it's just about the table presence, Altered reinvents a trading card game with its accessories. This should appeal especially to beginners, who will find the tactile bonus a nice incentive to try it out.
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