hearthstone-hands-on
Latest
Step into the Hearthstone Arena
The Hearthstone beta has started, and most of us here at WoW Insider have been captivated by the free-to-play card game like a cat to a laser pointer. I know that I have sacrificed what would have been a very productive weekend for the greater good of gaming. Okay, so I probably wouldn't have cured cancer or solved world hunger, but still the game is very addictive despite being quite simple on its surface. As I'm exploring everything Hearthstone has to offer, I have to say that one of the most enjoyable aspects of the game is the Arena. Essentially, the Arena is a game mode where you assemble a deck using one of three randomized heroes and a selection of semi-randomized cards and square off against other players. The more you win, the larger your heap of treasure will be. Lose three times and you're out, though you'll still receive some rewards for the highest level you were able to obtain. %Gallery-196226%
Hearthstone: Music for Duelists
Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, Blizzard's upcoming online Collectible Card Game is really putting the emphasis on its free-to-play nature, releasing its soundtrack for a DRM-free download. Zeriyah Picture yourself in the midst of a bustling tavern, cracking your knuckles as you mentally prepare yourself for a game of Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft. You're about ready to test your skills against an equally eager opponent already plotting their first move. The only thing that's missing is some fitting music to set the mood-something exciting and inspiring, upbeat and catchy! Lucky for you, we've got just the thing for your next duel. Head on over to the Hearthstone media page to listen to "Tabletop Battles"-a perfect victory jam if you've got the upper hand or a rallying tune to bolster your spirits just in time for your epic comeback! And don't forget to check back for more Hearthstone music to come in the future! source It's a great song, I've always been a huge fan of Blizzard's music, and this doesn't disappoint! Having played a bit of Hearthstone in Blizzard's EU office, this is the music you will be listening to while you're playing the game, and I love it. I'm hoping this won't be the only song they release, too, as more in the same vein would be very much welcomed.
Hands-on with Hearthstone
I possess no background in card games, whether it be TCG or CCG. I intentionally avoided scouring databases and watching the Fireside Duels specifically so I could go into my first Hearthstone play session with that perspective. There's value in that perspective: most people who play the game for the first time will have the same experience. My lack of knowledge did make me quite nervous when I sat down to play Hearthstone, though. Would I waste my entire playtest session (on-site at Blizzard Entertainment) blundering through, simply trying to learn the rules? As it turns out, yes. That's exactly what happened. We were only able to play for about an hour, so don't take my confusion for the duration as a condemnation of the game. Rare is the strategy-based game that can teach you all of its intricacies in an hour. By the end of that hour, however, I had a grasp of the basics and understood most of the terminology. It didn't click fast enough for me to attempt much experimentation with my deck or playstyle, but simply playing put me on the right track. I felt truly lost when I first sat down, but grew more comfortable with every turn. I'm told Hearthstone does have a tutorial to guide you through that initial learning phase, but it wasn't included in our playtest. With an estimated 45 minute duration, the tutorial would have consumed nearly our entire hour. Blundering through turned out to be just as effective.
