Great!
This is one of the most faithful rendition's of Lovecraft's works I have seen in awhile... I loved the first one and this one runs in much the same vein... I see in the other comments that you have already started thinking of a third installment.... I can't wait to get my mouse pointer onto it after beating the hell out of this one :)
A Big Improvement with a Very Annoying Glitch
The game is more fun and interesting. All the creatures have unique abilities, the sanity meter gets more challenging, the cards are more fair, and best of all- NO MORE DUPLICATE CARDS (I was going crazy over the 100s of "dispel" cards-that take away all the arcane and elder sign stuff I had-that the opponent seems to have. The challenge mode is a great plus too.
BUT there's this one glitch that's killing the game for me. I'm in the middle of a duel, and its my turn so a new card would come up. For some reason, it's doesn't and my turn starts with only 4 cards I can play. So for the rest of the game, that slot is completely useless. I can't do anything about that other than quitting and restarting that duel- ONLY to find it appear again, randomly. And it's appearing more often the further I am in the game.
Thanks for that - I found the cause and will fix it.
Improvements!
Yes there are changes and new cards. But the interface is still the same. Card Art is still lacking quality and atmosphere. I said it before and I have to say it again. This game has sooo much potential. BETTER VISUALS and a bit more mind tingling attributes on cards and creatures should do the trick. What about summoning more than one creature?
u can do it!
A sequel is on the cards (arf arf!) and I hope to include as many features and game mechanics as I can create, including mutiple creatures out. Multiplayer is the holy grail, and requires lots of research, but I'm looking into it.
As for a deck builder, already done. I just don't think I'll be adding it to this version though as it wouldn't really be practical.
Fun, but utterly lacking in balance
Okay, first off, this game is fun. I can't deny that.
However, as a game designer myself, I can't give it better than an average score because the cards are hopelessly unbalanced. The update helps slightly, but nonetheless, if the opponent's good cards are at the top of his deck, and yours are at the bottom, strategy doesn't factor in - you're just dead.
I like the sanity concept, although the different kinds you can get are also unbalanced. Some are almost meaningless, while others are game-destroying.
Make all the insanities bad, but not completely game-destroying, and up the sanity costs for the powerful cards until you'll think twice about casting them early! Add extra effects to the lame ones. Allow an option to skip your turn to discard and replace as many cards from your hand as you want. Etc...
You've got a good concept, now balance it out and make it a more strategic game!
very enjoyable, very well done
as in the subject the game is really lovely and features also stunning graphics and art in the card. compliments.