by With the arrival on the Android and iOS stores of Yu-Gi-Oh! Cross Duel , the latest title in chronological order dedicated to the popular saga created by Kazuki Takahashi, there are three games dedicated to the series actively supported by Konami.
Together with Cross Duel , in fact, we have the recent Master Duel , released at the beginning of the year on practically any platform, and also Duel Links , launched on mobile stores in 2016 and still very popular, with a big update coming just this month.
For fans, the difference between the three titles is obvious, but for those who look out for the first time on the world of Yu-Gi-Oh! , or for those returning to it after a long period of time, things may be more confusing.
This is why we decided to make this short guide, to answer the question: which Yu-Gi-Oh! is it for me?
For card game purists: Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel
Let’s start with the simplest example; you are passionate about the Yu -Gi-Oh, or at least you have been in the past, and you are looking for an experience that makes you feel the thrill of the classic duels we all know again.
You don’t need to look further in this case; Master Duel is the title for you. Available on practically any currently supported platform, Master Duel is basically a perfect transposition of the TCG , with all the rules currently active in the traditional game and with a ban list that is constantly updated.
Obviously, the heart of the game is the challenges to other players; you will be able to challenge duelists from every corner of the planet, regardless of the platform you use.
Konami, however, has also equipped this release with a substantial single player campaign, useful for unlocking new cards and to discover more details on the history of some monsters introduced over the years.
In short, if you are looking for a videogame rendering of the traditional card game without major changes, this is the game for you.
For those who want a faster and more compact experience: Duel Links
Despite its 6 years of life, Duel Links is still an extremely active game, thanks to the continuous support of Konami and the presence of a community that shows no sign of wanting to abandon this episode.
Duel Links is based on the classic TCG, but modifies the basic rules to make the experience faster and more compact ; this makes it particularly suitable for those looking for quick games to fill short squares of time, without sacrificing the strategic depth typical of the TCG.
In addition to following a modified set of rules, Duel Links also follows its own path of evolution that does not strictly follow that of the TCG; every year, in fact, the game receives a substantial update that introduces characters belonging to a new anime series so far absent in the game, and with it new types of cards and rules.
This month the world of Yu-Gi-Oh will finally be introduced ! VRAINS , which will bring with it the Link Summons, which have been in the TCG for many years now.
In addition to challenging other duelists from around the world, you will also have an ever-changing story mode, where you can interact with numerous characters from different anime series and challenge them to a duel to train.
If you are looking for a simplified version of the TCG complex, Duel Links is the choice for you.
For those who want 4-player challenges and a completely new way to play: Cross Duel
The newest on the list is also the most peculiar. Cross Duel , in fact, does not limit itself to modifying the basic rules of the TCG; the game mechanics are in fact completely different, while maintaining some cornerstones of the original game.
We have explored the dynamics of the game in our review, so we will not be here to summarize the new rules; what you need to know is that Cross Duel features 4-player duels , where the player with the most Life Points wins.
Since the rules are completely different, the cards have also been revised ; while retaining names and illustrations, both the monsters and the spell and trap cards have seen their effects changed, so knowing the series like the back of your hand won’t give you any advantage on the field this time around.
Cross Duel is the right choice if you are looking for a dynamic and fast-paced card game inspired by the world of Yu-Gi-Oh! but with little to do with the classic TCG.
