Pokémon Live Review: why this Digital Card Game is still one of the best

The digital version of the Pokémon Trading Card Game was the last big absentee from the world of video game TCGs, and after a lengthy testing phase, I can now share my hands-on experience with the title.

My first impression of Pokémon Live was decidedly familiar as nothing is too different from the atmosphere and aesthetic of other Pokémon experiences. The cards featured in the game are from the latest expansion, and you can purchase a booster pack from almost every phisical expansion. The tutorial is intuitive and explains the game very well, even though it assumes, for example, that you know that you have to assign some Energy to your Pokémons to make them attack.

This may seem obvious to those familiar with the game, but if you're planning on introducing a friend to Pokémon Live, it's best to give them a tour of the game first. The ex-mechanics are well explained along with the interactions between tools, helper cards, and other more classic mechanics.

The graphics are the section that left dissappointed the most. The artworks of the cards are excellent, everything else, from prize cards to other in game items, seemed a bit dated, with a blocky, dull, and pixelated style. The developers' intent seems to be to meticulously replicate the paper experience in digital format, rather than create a more elaborate, colorful, and animated version like Magic did with Arena.

Given the strong connection Live has with physical cards (each pack in the real world includes a card with a QR code that allows you to digitally access the contents of each booster you open), we can better justify the developers' choice to digitize the physical experience without too many frills. When a Pokémon takes damage, a counter with the amount is placed on its card, just like when playing on a tabletop; A little quote to the tabletop tcg that I appreciated.

The gameplay is fluid, from draws to energy selection and item-Pokémon interactions. Digital deck shuffles are a real godsend, given the number of cards that require you to search for items or Pokémon in the deck. When you start playing, you'll have nine pre-built decks based on EX, V ASTRO, and even VMAX portable monsters, which you can use as a base to start customizing your creations.

Getting free booster packs is relatively easy and requires a bit of grinding, but at almost every odd level of the Battle Pass, you'll receive one to five, so progression is satisfying. There's a competitive mode with the usual divisions starting at Bronze, and an unranked mode for testing decks, having fun, and gaining experience.

The main currency is Purple Crystals, which you use to purchase the Battle Pass and booster packs. These can be earned by playing and completing objectives like Daily Quests. Credits, on the other hand, are used to unlock individual cards from collections and add them to your deck. Depending on their rarity, a single card can cost between 400 and 750 credits.

This currency, however, can also be farmed through gameplay to gradually build your ideal deck. Finally, there's a premium currency, called Coins, with which you can use to purchase cosmetic customizations for your decks or your avatar's outfit. We found the game's monetization to be very modest, and it's possible to earn a lot while remaining a free-to-play player.

There's plenty to enjoy for free in Pokémon Live, an experience that grows almost without grinding and doesn't require spending real money. Available for PC (including Mac), iOS, and Android, this digital trading card game may not be as vibrant and animated as Marvel Snap, but it's fun and entertaining like only Pokémon cards can be.

This article was written on the 15th on June 2023

Wait, why is there a review from 2023 going up on the website right now? It's a very good question for which I have an answer that I'll be able to reveal in a few weeks time. Meanwhile, enjoy some daily content from my career as I try to preserve it from the clutches of a dying internet.

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Riccardo "Tropic" Lichene