Yu-Gi-Oh! Review: Is the game monarch still king, Master Duel Switch?
Our Verdict
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel delivers what all duellists have been waiting for, as well as a surprise standout solo mode that relieves itself from the shackles of the anime. With quality deck-building mechanics, intuitive duelling, and an impressive roster of available cards, it’s only the test of time that this free-to-play game still has to ace.
Throughout my years of Yu-Gi-Oh play, I had been anticipating that one game. the uniting force behind everything. Not an online deck-building tool created by fans, nor a simplified version aimed at casual players, but an online multiplayer game that accurately captures the excitement of opening packs, using special summons, and eradicating your opponent's life points. Next, Yu-Gi-Oh! When Master Duel falls into my lap, it is as if Konami has heard my mental speech.
It feels fantastic to duel. After taking up Master Duel, I was back in my element, activating facedowns and watching as horrifying combinations crushed my life points to zero. I had been away from the Yu-Gi-Oh world for a few years. Although it may seem corny, the game provides the closest sensation to playing the real card game that we've found so far, and every successful multi-summon routine leaves you feeling immensely satisfied.
Playing on the Nintendo Switch, I haven't experienced many issues with connection or gameplay. Building on the popularity of Duel Links, it's encouraging to find that ranked matching is equally as dependable and the touch mechanisms are exactly as seamless as they are in the mobile game. Not being able to roam about the field in duels with my analog sticks is a bit unsettling at first, but it doesn't take long to get accustomed to switching back to the d-pad. In fact, the minor stiffness helps you avoid making mistakes in the midst of lengthy combo chains.Prior to delving into the specifics of the game online, I must commend Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel's solo mode for not attempting to emulate Nostalgia Simulator 2022. Instead of coddling you with franchise iconography or playing in the vein of classic gameplay, the game deliberately encourages you to learn the newest concepts and card kinds.
After more than 20 years of Konami attempting to cram anime narratives into their games, the absence of Yugi, Jaden, Kaiba, and company seems welcome. A nice departure from the pattern is the unique situations that take their place. Every solo section explores card mythology, with a rotating cast of archetypes disclosing their secret histories. Here is where the creative card designs that so often take a backseat to the anime cast's fiery hair come to life.
Master Duel seems to really care about its novice players, as seen by the two-part tutorials that come with every solo scenario set that get you up to speed on certain decks and combinations. That being said, one of the new features included to prevent wasting countless hours and gems on a single card is the ability to produce cards, albeit it might be a little more obvious. Luckily, the system is sufficiently straightforward that I was able to get into the flow of things without needing too many lesson refreshers with a little tweaking time.
The major attraction of this game is online PvP, even with the enjoyable solo mode. The online duel option is prominently displayed at the top of the main menu. Like you would expect, the ranked game option pits equally competent duellists against one another in an attempt to climb the ladder and get access to greater prizes. This game includes all you need for competitive duelling and delivers a good trickle of benefits for each level earned, but it's not fancy—at least not yet.
On the other side, there aren't many casual duels right now. There is just one free duel option, and it relies on a cumbersome room-based system with limited customizable rules for quirky duels and no rapid matching. Admittedly, I was expecting for a little bit more from the online game modes. For those of us returning players who are still confused by Pendulum combos, a heritage mode or an easier-to-use casual mode would be quite helpful for trying out decks.
Naturally, things might still change since Konami has made it known that they want to release more material in addition to a tournament feature in the future. However, having no choice except to play fast and loose with your ranking or hope to locate a casual room with a receptive opponent does make deck-testing more difficult.
You can tell this one is for the duellists from the interesting solo mode, the online ranking system, and the well designed deck-building options. Here, there are no tricks or attempts to invent a formula that doesn't need improvement. Rather, the game serves as a kind of love letter to the foundation of the card game, which has grown into a franchise full of subpar games that are all trying to get away from the original card game's perceived tedium. Master Duel allows the participants to play while ignoring the naysayers.
Master Duel offers the same gem purchases as other free-to-play games, giving you access to decks, card packs, and in-game decorations. I've played for more than twenty hours, built two bespoke decks, and haven't once had to go into my wallet for a few more booster packs. In this case, it doesn't seem predatory.
You'll be happy to learn that Master Duel treads the narrow path that has previously confused indie game creators, and I feel well rewarded for devoting time to both online duels and perfecting the solitary mode. Even the solitary mode lacked the frequent prizes that would have encouraged slogfest gameplay in a free-to-play game. I was very, extremely wrong when I said that I never imagined I'd give a flying fusion about Gem-Knight mythology, in case you couldn't tell how pleased I was before.
Is that game, then? Is it the one who can put the pieces of the millenium jigsaw together and initiate the widespread appeal and return to form that the Yu-Gi-Oh franchise has been longing for? I believe it may be. Additionally, I believe that it could be too soon to tell until we learn the full scope of the tournament system and before we see, after four months, how difficult it is to accumulate gems once the launch bonuses have been used up. It's still pretty much everything I could ask for in a Yu-Gi-Oh game right now. Master Duel may become a staple platform for Konami's king of card games if the passion for the game and its community that went into its creation persists during its further growth.
Now that you understand Master Duel, before diving into a whole new experience with the four-player dueling sim, don't forget to check out our Yu-Gi-Oh! Cross Duel interview with developer Yuya Takayanagi.