by Scott Parrino - April 30, 2006

If your computer can’t handle Auto Assault but want to be a part of it anyway and enjoy card games, Auto Assault Trading Card Game is right up your alley.

A Different Game of Cards

Playing trading card games can be a hassle in the real world. You can lose your cards; your cat can eat them, your mom can accidentally wash them, etc. Basically it is a heck of a lot easier to just play trading card games online; they don’t bend or get eaten; they stay fresh forever.

Wiorld Apart’s Auto Assault Trading Card Game, based on Net Devil's Auto Assault is an example of one of those online trading card games. For those who don’t know, Auto Assault is an online PC game that pits players against each other with armored and armed-to-the-teeth cars. While certainly a graphics-intense game, the same developers decided to create a trading card game so that players can play the spirit of Auto Assault through a trading card game. The question is, does it work out and doesn’t feel like a cheap title?

The answer is no. At first I was suspicious that Auto Assault TCG would be even close to being enjoyable or even good. I usually tend to get in way over my head and become easily frustrated and confused as to why I make mistakes or why I take damage when my opponent does not. Thankfully Auto Assault TCG comes with a very developed and easy tutorial for first time players. As I have mentioned before in the past, if a game’s tutorial is helpful, easy and educates the player enough to get into the game without much trouble, than the game itself is of excellent quality. Creating a tutorial for a trading card game can be difficult and if I can get through it and have confidence in my playing ability, anyone can.

Cards are Cards

Graphically Auto Assault TCG doesn’t have much to offer. The cards are done in original art that look faithful to the desolate and dangerous future of the world. There is no animation of cars attacking each other with their weapons blazing, but rather some hit sprites and some blood spurts from attacks that emote from your card.

I know it is just a card game, but the background of the field you play on is boring and plain. Aside from cards moving to and from your hand to the playing field, there is no other real animation. However, this shouldn’t be the deciding factor on whether or not to get Auto Assault TCG as the gameplay definitely makes up for it.

Sounds Like a Fight

The sound is almost in the same league with the graphics. Sound effects of your attacks and movements sound gritty but don’t have much variety. After a while you’ll just begin to either block the sound out or just play with it off.

The music is typical dystopian fashion with some techno beats. When you engage in combat the music quickens to reflect the excitement of attack and defense. Aside from that there isn’t much variety here as well. The music isn’t terribly boring and can become quite catchy if you’re not careful.

Customization Galore

One of Auto Assault TCG’s redeeming factors is the customization factor. As I mentioned before, you can customize your decks and save them. This allows for a nearly endless variety of decks you can create to adjust or suit your strategy and style. I can see a lot of players spending hours just organizing numerous decks and constantly getting new cards to supplement them. The addiction of getting cards and becoming better and more skilled can keep a player going for hours.

You Gonna Deal or What?

Overall, Auto Assault TCG is a unique and fun trading card game that is perfect for those who are into the strategy and alure of such a genre. While not exactly visually stimulating to the eyes and the music is a tad repetitive, the gameplay will definitely hook you. Endless amounts of cards, customizing of decks, deep strategy and an expansive genre is sure to catch the eyes of new and old trading card game players.