I’ve been diving into the new Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) app, and it’s been a thrill playing the trading card game for the first time. But while there are some exciting highlights, I can't ignore a few areas where the app falls short of its potential. Let’s dive into what I think works well—and what could make the app even better for fans like me.
What Could Be Improved: Gameplay Depth and Balance
One of my main gripes with the app so far is that the gameplay feels a bit underwhelming. The matches are fun in their own right, but the game would really benefit from adding a battle story mode or a progression system with different challenges. Imagine playing through a journey with themed battles or different trainers—each with unique decks that force you to change your strategies! Right now, facing random decks or computer-controlled opponents with varied styles could add so much depth to the experience. Without this, the battles feel somewhat repetitive, as you’re often going up against similar decks and strategies over and over. I am in favor of this because I don't like playing with other people and waiting for them to take their turn unless it is a friend.
Then there’s the issue of the first turn disadvantage. I was surprised to find that going first doesn’t feel as beneficial as it should be. If you go first, you can’t attach an energy to your Pokémon or attack right away, which often leaves you a sitting duck for the player who goes second. On their turn, they can attach energy and attack, immediately putting pressure on you before you’ve even had a chance to get going. This setup can feel unbalanced, and I think it would be a huge improvement if the first player were allowed to attach an energy on their initial turn, even if they couldn’t attack right away. This would make starting first feel less like a disadvantage and more like an actual advantage, giving both players a fair shot right from the beginning.
What the App Gets Right: Free Packs and No Pay-to-Win
Now, let’s talk about the positive stuff—there’s definitely a lot to like! One of the things that has really stood out to me is the app’s daily rewards. You get two free packs every day, which keeps the game feeling generous and fun to log into regularly. Opening those packs is always a little thrill, and it’s a great way to build your collection without feeling pressured to spend money. It’s a big plus that the game feels accessible to all players, regardless of whether or not they’re spending real money.
Additionally, I have encountered any pay-to-win elements, but it is not terrible which is refreshing for a digital card game. You can purchase gold and buy more cards with it. In most apps, you end up feeling that those who spend money have a big advantage over free players. Here, everyone has an equal chance to build strong decks and compete on a fair playing field. It’s nice to see that they’re respecting the game’s competitive spirit by making sure all players can progress at the same pace.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Pokémon TCG app is off to a good start, and it’s clear they’re putting thought into how to make it a fun and balanced experience. However, there’s definitely room for improvement. Adding a story mode or more randomized battles, along with balancing the advantage of going first, would make a big difference in the game’s replayability and fairness.
For now, though, I’m enjoying building my deck and taking on other players, and I appreciate that the developers are making the app accessible without pay-to-win mechanics. It’s exciting to think about how this app might evolve over time—and hopefully, the changes that make it even better for fans like us.
