Info about Aeon's End:

Official game description:
Deck Building With a Twist
--------------------------
**Randomized turn order, no shuffling, and multiple win and loss conditions make this a deck building experience like no other!**  
_“This is not the end of the world. That already happened. This is what is left: us, gravehold, and the Nameless. For generations we have taken refuge in an ancient and haunted place. It has taken our mages an aeon to hone their craft, but they are ready... and they are lethal. The breaches, the very conduits through which the Nameless travel, have become our weapon.”_  
\-Yaleesa Rhykk, Gravehold survivor  
The situation is bleak. The final city - **Gravehold** - needs the power of the breach mages to hold back the Nameless. Join the fight, and maybe… just maybe, Gravehold will live to see another dawn.  
**Aeon’s End** is a deck-building game where you create a team of up to 4 mages who will fight cooperatively to defeat whichever Nameless nemesis has come through the breach today. You begin with a starting deck of 10 cards, 5 in hand. Each turn you play **gems** to gain **aether**, which is used to buy new gems and **relics**, learn new **spells**, and increase your casting potential by opening additional **breaches**. You can also play relics to give yourself or your allies a boost. Then **prep** spells to your opened or focused breaches to be ready to **cast** them on your subsequent turns.  
What makes Aeon’s End unique is how it uses **randomness**. Unlike other deck building games, players do not shuffle their deck when it runs out. The order in which you discard is preserved so plan your discards carefully to set yourself up for subsequent turns.  
Instead, randomness in Aeon’s End comes in the order of turns. At the start of each round, the **turn order deck** is shuffled to determine the order of play. Will the nemesis go twice in a row, pushing back the mages’ defense? Will the mages get 4 turns in a row to set up for the coming onslaught? It can be hard to know what’s coming next when you are deep in the melee!  
Finally, there’s the city of **Gravehold**. The breach mages of Aeon’s End are not just fighting for their own survival, but the survival of all of humanity, and the Nameless know it. If Gravehold is ever reduced to 0 life, the mages have lost and humanity is but a memory. Protect the city at all costs!
What is included:
-----------------
Aeon’s End includes the following:  
**8 Breach Mages:**  
*   Adelheim  
*   Brama  
*   Jian  
*   Kadir  
*   Lash  
*   Mist  
*   Phaedraxa  
*   Xaxos
Each Mage has a **unique starting card** and a **unique ability** that can be charged to use in the fight. For example, **Kadir** has a gem that allows her to heal herself or an ally, and an ability that allows an ally to dig for and prep spells. **Xaxos** has a spell that allows him to reveal the top card of the turn order deck and an ability that helps allies charge their abilities.  
**The Market:**  
You build your deck with player cards from the market. 3 gems, 2 relics, and 4 spells allow you to grow your powers to hold back the nemesis. The market is constructed from 27 unique gems, relics, and spells. Either take a randomly generated market, or build the perfect one yourself during setup.  
**4 Nameless Nemeses:**  
*   Carapace Queen  
*   Crooked Mask  
*   Prince of Gluttons  
*   Rageborne
Each Nemesis plays differently with unique mechanics to keep even the most powerful breach mages on their toes. **Rageborne** lays on the damage in a more frontal assault using the **Strike Deck**, whereas the Prince of Gluttons fights more of a war of attrition, devouring player cards from the market.  
Aside from their unique mechanics, the Nemesis deck is created before each game from a combination of basic and nemesis-specific cards. You may encounter the same Nemesis many times, but it will never attack you in exactly the same way twice.  
Expand your gameplay options with DLC:  
*   **Promo Pack 1** (Free) includes mage Xae from One Deck Dungeon, along with 3 digital exclusive player cards and 3 basic nemesis cards.  
*   **The Nameless** includes 2 nemeses, 1 mage, and 7 player cards.  
*   **The Depths** includes 1 nemesis, 3 mages, and 8 player cards.  
*   **The New Age** more than doubles the content in the core game, and introduces the Expedition system!
The last of humanity need your protection! Pick up the mantle, focus your breaches, and beat back the Nameless - _**We’re all counting on you!**_

Release date: Sep 17, 2019

Categories: Deckbuilder, Cooperative Multiplayer, Digital Board Game Adaptation, Boss Fights, Spell Casting System, Randomized Turn Order, Single-player Story, Local Multiplayer

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 15; verdict: Fair / DLC-Only Monetization; summary: The reviews mention paid DLC and one allegation that cut content is being sold separately at an inflated price. There is no direct evidence of an in-game cash shop, premium currency, loot boxes, gacha, battle pass, paid power, or paid convenience. The monetization signal is limited to traditional DLC complaints, so the audit score remains in the fair range.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews show that $20 is considered too high for a base version that lacks expansions, while $15 is contested: some players find it steep for the content, but others say it is worth it. A $10 sale price is repeatedly treated as a reasonable recommendation point, and the lowest prices are described as appropriate mainly for discounts or low-content value. Taken together, the community’s fair base-game range is best estimated at $10-$15, with $15 acceptable only when the player is already interested and $10 representing a stronger value threshold.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 7.5h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 0.5h
  - Endgame: 24.0h
  - Reasoning: Session length is supported by reports of digital games lasting around 10 minutes, about 15 minutes, and roughly 30-40 minutes; a practical midpoint is about 0.5 hours per session. Base game completion is supported by the statement that the game offers 5-10 hours of entertainment, giving a midpoint of about 7.5 hours. Endgame time is supported by the translated achievement report of 11 of 22 achievements unlocked in 12 hours, implying roughly 24 hours for achievement-focused completion, plus the separate note that many achievements take hours and hours. No story campaign length is reported, so storyCompletion is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Aeon's End Digital is a streamlined solo/co-op deckbuilder that many players find addictive once the rules click, but its punishing tutorial and rough presentation create early friction. Some players learn quickly from the tutorial, while one report explicitly took two and a half hours to finally beat it.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Winning the tutorial
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Punishing, poorly explained tutorial boss fight; Confusing rules and terminology at first; Rough UI with few quality-of-life features and no tooltips; No online multiplayer, limiting co-op; Scripting errors can freeze the tutorial; Limited scenarios and shallow deck pool reduce replayability
  - Unlock drivers: Pushing through the tutorial and learning the rules; Winning the tutorial; Playing custom games after the tutorial; The rules and automation clicking after practice; Tutorial explanations for players who engage with them
  - Conditions: Prior familiarity with the physical board game; Playing solo rather than expecting online co-op; Tolerance for a hard, punishing boss fight; Using remote play or local hot-seat for multiplayer; Playing with friends in local/shared-screen co-op; Buying expansions for more content; Willingness to learn through external rules or trial and error
- Player Archetypes:
  - Solo Board-Game Convert (buy)
    - Motivation: Playing the Aeon's End board game solo without physical setup or manual rules tracking.
    - Playstyle: Runs solo games, sometimes controlling multiple breach mages, to test synergies and enjoy quick rules-enforced sessions.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Veteran Co-op Deckbuilder (buy)
    - Motivation: Deep cooperative deck-building against challenging bosses with room for combo optimization.
    - Playstyle: Builds and tunes decks around specific nemeses, seeks strong combos, and plays co-op PVE with friends or multi-handed solo.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: CCG veteran
    - Reference games: Magic: The Gathering; Yu-Gi-Oh; Sentinels of the Multiverse; Dominion
  - Overwhelmed Newcomer (no buy)
    - Motivation: Trying a well-regarded deckbuilder and board-game adaptation for the first time and learning its systems.
    - Playstyle: Works through the tutorial and beginner difficulty, often losing repeatedly while trying to understand cards, UI, and boss pressure.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Online Co-op Seeker (no buy)
    - Motivation: Playing cooperative Aeon's End with friends online rather than only at one screen.
    - Playstyle: Wants group lobbies, shared market and nemesis planning, and remote co-op; currently relies on hotseat or Remote Play workarounds.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Tabletop Simulator


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Excellent digital board game adaptation (weight 0.69): The digital version faithfully recreates the physical board game, with many reviewers praising it as an accurate and well-made port. It plays and feels exactly like the tabletop original.
- Outstanding co-op deck-building game (weight 0.36): Reviewers highly praise the co-op deck-building mechanics, calling it one of the best deck-building games ever made. The combination of teamwork and deck-building is unique and engaging.
- Challenging and satisfying gameplay (weight 0.22): Reviewers find the game very challenging and fun, with a satisfying difficulty level. It provides a good challenge for solo players and is difficult but manageable.
- Fun and enjoyable experience (weight 0.15): Many reviewers simply state that the game is a lot of fun and enjoyable. It runs smoothly and provides a great time.
- Great for learning the game (weight 0.11): The digital version is an excellent tool for learning the rules and mechanics of the physical board game. It helps players understand how to play before trying the tabletop version.
- Faster setup and play (weight 0.11): The digital adaptation significantly reduces setup time and plays quicker than the physical board game, making it more convenient for players.
- Great solitaire experience (weight 0.1): The game is highly enjoyable as a solitaire card game, with many reviewers praising its solo play mode. It offers a great way to play solo against the base set.
- User-friendly interface (weight 0.1): The UI is praised for being easy to understand, pleasant, and efficient, displaying useful information without being difficult to get used to.
- No bugs or technical issues (weight 0.09): Reviewers report no bugs, glitches, or technical issues; the game works as expected. This indicates a polished digital implementation.
- Well-regarded deck-building game (weight 0.08): The game is highly recommended for fans of deck-builders, being described as a very good deck-building game and one of the best.
- Unique no-shuffle mechanic (weight 0.08): The no-shuffle discard pile mechanic gives players complete control over card order, adding strategic depth and enhancing tactical thinking. This unique feature is highly appreciated.
- Amazing tabletop experience (weight 0.08): The original tabletop game is considered amazing, with strategic depth and unique mechanics, and the digital port faithfully preserves that experience.

Common complaints:
- Missing online multiplayer (weight 0.55): Many reviewers complain that the game lacks any online multiplayer, despite being advertised as having multiplayer features. The absence of online play is a major downside, especially for a board game adaptation that would benefit from remote play with friends.
- Outdated and clunky UI (weight 0.31): The user interface is frequently criticized as outdated, clunky, and unpolished, reminiscent of the 1990s or early 2000s. Many find it ugly, not intuitive, and in need of significant improvement.
- Digital adaptation lacks polish (weight 0.18): The digital version is seen as inferior to the physical board game, lacking impressive digital effects and feeling like a muddy reflection. Graphics and animations are often cited as subpar.
- Absurdly high difficulty (weight 0.13): Multiple reviewers mention that the game is overly difficult, with a high difficulty level that makes winning very hard. This can be frustrating for players.
- Gameplay is dull and boring (weight 0.1): Some players find the gameplay dull, dry, and lacking excitement or flavor. The game feels unpleasant to play for those expecting more engaging mechanics.
- Base game lacks content (weight 0.08): The base game feels light on content, with few cards and no progression or unlockables to chase. Players seeking long-term goals may be disappointed.
- Unbalanced gameplay (weight 0.05): The game is described as very unbalanced, which can lead to frustrating experiences. This imbalance affects overall enjoyment.
- Solo play less fun (weight 0.05): Playing alone is not as enjoyable as playing with friends in real life. The social aspect is missed when playing solo.
- Random turn order frustration (weight 0.05): Random turn order can cause the enemy to take multiple turns in a row, which can ruin player strategies and feel unfair. This randomness adds to frustration.
- No German translation (weight 0.04): The game lacks a German translation, limiting accessibility for German-speaking players. This is a notable omission for a board game adaptation.
- No Spanish translation (weight 0.04): Similarly, there is no Spanish translation, which restricts the game's reach to Spanish-speaking audiences.
- Generic fantasy art style (weight 0.04): The setting, art, and character design are criticized as soulless, generic fantasy that is forgettable. This detracts from the game's appeal.

Gameplay feedback:
- Cooperative deckbuilding game (weight 0.51): The game is predominantly described as a cooperative deckbuilding experience for 1-4 players. Many reviews highlight the shared shops, synergistic planning, and boss-fighting aspects.
- Digital board game adaptation (weight 0.47): A large number of reviews note that this is a digital adaptation of a physical board game, often faithful to the original rules. It streamlines setup and provides a convenient way to play the tabletop version.
- Solo and co-op support (weight 0.25): The game can be played solo or with friends cooperatively. It supports solo play with variable turn order and offers a cooperative multiplayer mode.
- No-shuffle deck mechanic (weight 0.24): The game features a unique deckbuilding mechanic where the discard pile is not shuffled but flipped over to become the deck, preserving order. This allows players to plan combos and control draw order strategically.
- Local multiplayer only (weight 0.23): Multiplayer is limited to local co-op or hot-seat modes; there is no built-in online multiplayer. Remote Play Together is supported for online play.
- Variety of mages and bosses (weight 0.14): The game offers multiple mages and bosses (nemeses) with unique abilities, providing varied combinations and replayability.
- Randomized turn order (weight 0.13): Turn order is determined randomly each round, often dealt from a deck, affecting both player and boss actions. This adds unpredictability to the gameplay.
- Dominion-style card buying (weight 0.11): The game features a Dominion-like market where players purchase cards to add to their deck. It maintains board game concepts with card buying and deckbuilding.
- Difficulty settings available (weight 0.1): Players can adjust the difficulty level, including a beginner setting, to suit their experience.
- Tactical deckbuilding depth (weight 0.09): The deckbuilding system offers significant tactical depth and choice, with digital tracking and unique twists. Players plan rounds and control their deck strategically.
- Spell preparation mechanic (weight 0.07): Spells must be prepped on a breach and cast on the following turn to deal damage to minions or the boss. This adds a tactical layer to combat.
- Randomized game setup option (weight 0.06): A Quick Play option randomly selects the boss, mages, and card supply, offering a varied setup each game. Players can also customize these elements.

Performance notes:
- Smooth and Pleasing Speed (weight 0.05): Multiple players report that the game runs smoothly and at a pleasing speed, indicating good overall performance for many.
- Performance Issues on Deck Shuffles (weight 0.03): Players experience frequent stutters and FPS drops specifically when the game shuffles decks, disrupting gameplay flow.
- Tutorial Scripting Bug Causes Freeze (weight 0.03): A scripting error in the tutorial causes the game to freeze, preventing players from completing the introductory experience.
- Game Fails to Start (weight 0.03): Some users report that the game fails to start at all, preventing access to gameplay.
- Occasional Crashes Reported (weight 0.03): Some players encounter occasional crashes during gameplay, though the frequency and cause are not specified.
- Runs on Low-End Laptop (weight 0.03): The game is playable on a Lenovo x230 laptop with an i5 3rd Gen CPU and HD3000 integrated graphics, showing accessibility on older hardware.
- Overheating on Surface Pro (weight 0.03): On Surface Pro devices, the game causes overheating and slowdown after one or two games, impacting extended play sessions.
- FPS Drops with Parsec (weight 0.03): Using third-party applications like Parsec leads to frame rate drops, affecting remote play performance.
- Mouse Jitter in Online Multiplayer (weight 0.03): Mouse jitter occurs when using online local multiplayer, impacting control precision during networked sessions.
- Screen Resolution Problems (weight 0.03): Players encounter screen resolution issues, which can affect display quality and usability.

Recommendations:
- Ideal for deckbuilding enthusiasts (weight 0.28): Reviewers consistently recommend the game to fans of deckbuilding and card games, calling it a must-play for those who enjoy challenging deck construction.
- Appeals to board game fans (weight 0.22): Many reviewers recommend the game to fans of the physical board game or tabletop games in general, noting it captures the board game experience.
- Great digital adaptation for existing fans (weight 0.21): Fans of the original board game appreciate this digital version for its convenience and faithful adaptation, especially for solo play.
- Solid solo play experience (weight 0.13): Solo players find the game challenging and engaging, making it a good choice for practicing or playing alone.
- Positive overall recommendations (weight 0.12): Many reviewers give a strong general recommendation, calling the game wonderful and worth attention.
- Best purchased on sale (weight 0.1): Several reviewers advise waiting for a discount, suggesting the game is more worthwhile at a reduced price.
- Not recommended over physical version (weight 0.1): Some reviewers feel the digital version is inferior to the physical board game and recommend sticking with the tabletop or Tabletop Simulator instead.
- Poor user experience reported (weight 0.07): A few reviewers had a negative experience due to usability issues and would not buy or launch the game again.
- Lack of multiplayer is a drawback (weight 0.05): Reviewers note the absence of multiplayer as a reason not to recommend this version to those seeking multiplayer functionality.
- Recommended only for veterans (weight 0.05): Some reviewers suggest the game is only suitable for those already familiar with the board game, not for newcomers.
- Try base game before DLC (weight 0.04): Reviewers recommend purchasing only the base game first to test it out and considering DLC later if enjoyed.
- Alternative co-op card games suggested (weight 0.04): Some reviewers recommend Sentinels of the Multiverse as a better alternative for co-op card game fans.
- Advise against purchasing (weight 0.04): A couple of reviewers strongly advise against spending money on this game.

Other player notes:
- Remote Play multiplayer support (weight 0.19): The game supports Steam Remote Play for multiplayer, but lacks built-in online multiplayer. This allows one person to host for others.
- Saves setup time (weight 0.14): The digital version eliminates the setup and cleanup time required for the physical board game, making it a faster alternative.
- Limited localization options (weight 0.12): The game lacks official Japanese and German localizations, with English being the only supported language. However, a fan translation exists for Japanese.
- Cheaper than physical (weight 0.11): The digital version is significantly cheaper than the physical card game and saves shelf space, making it a more affordable option.
- Expansions available or planned (weight 0.11): The digital version includes the base set and some expansions, with more planned. However, not all physical expansions are currently available.
- DLC available (weight 0.08): There are three DLCs available for purchase at the time of review, adding extra content to the game.
- Anticipated future expansions (weight 0.08): Reviewers anticipate future expansions, hoping for more content updates to be released.
- Developed by Handelabra (weight 0.08): The game is developed by Handelabra Games, known for their work on board game implementations.
- New Age expansion adds campaign (weight 0.06): The New Age expansion introduces Expedition Mode, a small campaign/story mode that adds replayability and doubles the content.
- Compared to other deckbuilders (weight 0.06): Reviewers compare the game to other deckbuilding games like Dominion, One Deck Dungeon, and One Deck Galaxy.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.2): Players are disappointed by the lack of online multiplayer and expansions, making the digital adaptation feel incomplete compared to the physical board game. The UI/UX is often described as dated, ugly, and unpolished, and the game lacks depth, progression, and localization support.
- Frustration (weight 0.15): Frustration stems from a steep difficulty curve, punishing RNG (random turn order, boss combos), and a clunky UI that makes the game hard to learn and play. The absence of online multiplayer and frequent bugs further exacerbate the experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.13): Players feel satisfied by the faithful digital adaptation of the board game, which eliminates setup time and offers convenient, smooth gameplay. The strategic depth, challenging but fair encounters, and the ability to pull off combos provide a rewarding experience.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): Enjoyment comes from the unique deck-building mechanics, strategic depth, and varied gameplay that keeps players engaged. The digital version's convenience and the fun of cooperative play contribute to a positive experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Excitement is driven by the digital format of the board game, the addition of new expansions like New Age, and the anticipation of future content. Innovative mechanics and the thrill of cooperative strategy also generate excitement.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.04): Enthusiasm is fueled by the co-op deck-building gameplay, strategic depth with low RNG, and the high replayability. The game's implementation and the chance to play digitally with more content via DLCs are highly praised.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players appreciate the faithful adaptation of the board game, the tactical depth, and the time saved on setup. The unique deck-building mechanics and the overall quality of the port are highlighted as strengths.
- Love (weight 0.03): Love for the game is expressed by fans of the physical board game who enjoy the digital adaptation's convenience and unique mechanics. The ability to skip setup and dive straight into gameplay is particularly valued.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Confusion arises from unclear mechanics, a confusing tutorial, and a clunky UI that lacks explanations for card interactions. Players unfamiliar with the board game often feel lost and struggle to understand what is happening.
- Hope (weight 0.02): Hope is centered on the potential for future content, including expansions and online multiplayer. Players wish for translations and design improvements, and they hope the game will be completed with all content from the physical version.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom results from monotonous and repetitive gameplay, a fixed card pool, and uninteresting heroes and mechanics. The lack of expansions and meaningful progression makes the game feel like a chore.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyance is caused by technical issues like stutters and FPS drops, repetitive music, and intrusive DLC promotion. The tutorial and forced dragging mechanics also contribute to irritation.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.02): Dissatisfaction stems from an ugly UI, boring graphics, and a lack of content compared to the physical version. The absence of AI mages and limited visibility during other players' turns are also points of contention.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Admiration is expressed for the game's tactical depth, unique mechanics, and excellent co-op deck-building design. Many consider it one of the best deck-building games they have played.
- Mild disappointment (weight 0.01): Mild disappointment relates to the implementation not being as polished as hoped, with an ugly UI and sub-par tutorials. The lack of better animations, sound effects, and translation also contributes.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Anticipation is focused on future DLC releases, updates, and additional content. Players are looking forward to seeing the game grow with more cards and expansions.
- Engagement (weight 0.01): Engagement is driven by the abundance of content, strategic deck management, and tense encounters. The game's gripping nature keeps players invested.
- Addiction (weight 0.01): Addiction is described as the game becoming highly engaging and addictive after learning it. Deeply challenging gameplay and the desire to play for hours keep players coming back.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement comes from mocking players who find the game too hard, watching Nemesis effects, and defending the UI. The devastating boss turns and near-death experiences are also sources of dark humor.
- Dislike (weight 0.01): Dislike is based on cumbersome spell preparation, unintuitive turn swaps, and the game feeling like a dry, unpleasant deck builder with a pasted-on theme. Some players simply find the game not suited to their tastes.}