DC Deck-Building Game: Rivals—Batman vs. Joker

Today's review is of the 2014 release, DC Deck-Building Game: Rivals—Batman vs. Joker. For 2 players, it takes 30 minutes.

Overview

This release is in the DC Deck-Building Game family, which has had many releases (I list those here). Since I reviewed the core game previously, see that post for a game overview. In short, this is a deck-building game where you start with a deck of 10 cards, drawing 5 and playing them to generate power. This allows you to buy cards to add to your deck, which grows more powerful over time as discarded cards get shuffled to form a new deck.

game contents; image from here

This variant is a rivals game, meaning it is two-player only and there are no common super-villains to attack. Instead, you attack each other! You each have three versions of your character (Batman or Joker), each with increasingly powerful defense and abilities. On your turn, rather than purchasing cards, you can announce a confrontation and try to generate more power than your opponent's defense. If you do, you win that card and the next is revealed. The first to knock out their opponent's level 3 character (or who has the most victory points when the lineup deck is empty) is the winner! 

Review

My son owns most of this game's expansions, giving me a chance to sample the variation across them. I like the main concept of this one, and the overall play holds true to the core game. As one of the game's earlier releases, there isn't as much interaction on non-confrontation turns (meaning attack or defense cards that can disrupt your opponent). Later releases improve on that facet. That aside, I enjoyed this.

Rating: B+