ort cards, trade them, build a deck, then challenge someone to a duel. Sounds like the usual activities for a collectible card game, but in the case of Chron X the cards are digital and opponents play each other over the Internet. The game uses an encryption technology called "Collectible Bits" that allows players to assemble and trade unique collections of cards that only exist on a hard drive.
Set in a near-apocalyptic, cyberpunk future, the game depicts combat between rival factions of a collapsed Illuminati-like organization called The Body. Play takes place in the major cities of the world, and the goal is to find and destroy the opponent's headquarters. To do this players establish resource-generating bases in cities and deploy "assets"--usually human operatives who seek out and attack the enemy. Different types of resources--Military, Covert Ops, Cyber Ops--are needed for different jobs. Assets can be powered up with a variety of enhancements, such as Mimetic Armor, and players can also run programs, one-shot "spells" that can help destroy enemy bases and assets, find an HQ, etc.
To build a winning deck, of course, players need good cards, and the way to get more cards is to purchase them through a secure server. A starter set of 60 cards plus the software is downloadable for free. Registering for $25 gives players more cards and allows them to play other registered players. The Chron X server keeps track of everyone's rank and provides a chat area where players can discuss the game and meet to play.
Vying for the remnants of a dying world
Chron X is successful on a number of levels. The game world is an inventive, dark, weird playground where hackers erect pill boxes to battle UN forces. High quality art, ranging from computer generated to comic book style, really brings the world alive.
On top of that, the game's engine is an incredibly slick piece of software--much more than just a front end for a card game. Many collectible card games have tried to create a geography with more than just "my side" and "your side," but with limited success. Chron X, though, employs a complex map and allows players to hide assets and bases. Each of the game's components have several variables that define them, which might seem daunting at first, but since the software takes care of all the calculation and bookkeeping in the background, the variables enhance play without bogging down the game. There is also an AI trainer that players can fight offline to help them learn the game.
If this game has any flaw it might be the fact that whichever player finds the enemy's HQ first gains an enormous advantage. At that point they can devote all their resources to destroying the base, while the besieged player must not only defend but also keep searching for the attacker's HQ.
This flaw aside, Genetic Anomalies has created a smart meld of card and computer game that has great artwork, is easy to learn, and has a variety of possible strategies. With all that combined with Internet play, it's bound to be a hit.
