by Pat Dolan
For what it's worth, I've played a few DBG's in the past (Dominion, Ascension, Thunderstone, Resident Evil, Penny Arcade, Tanto Cuore, Nightfall, Heroes of Graxia, Kazume Goddess, Eminent Domain, 3012 and probably a couple others I can't recall.), so I'm well aware of the basic mechanics involved in these games, that's one of the main reasons I have so many complaints with the DC game.For instance, off the top of my head I can't think of a single DBG that forces you to start the game with cards in your deck that are completely useless. Sure, you'll have some that you'll want to replace, but they provide some sort of benefit.
As for the lack of decision making, just comparing the basic purchasing mechanics of DC to Ascension highlights the overall lack of choices that DC provides the player.
In DC, you have five available cards in the center row, plus one 'always available' card. As you buy cards in the center, they are not replaced, so there is a hard and fast limit on what sort of variety you can acquire on your turn.
In Ascension, you've got six available cards in the center row, plus two always available cards. As you buy cards in the center, they are immediately, increasing the amount of variety that you will have available.
Once you add in a second type of resource (which DC doesn't have), and effects that trigger as new cards are revealed (which DC doesn't have), and the variety of interesting decisions increases even more (even the order you buy cards in suddenly acquires a new level of strategy, for instance!).
As for the theme, if a game is going to involve recruiting characters, acquiring gear and battling villains, I sort of expect a functional difference between these three elements. Instead, DC asks you to just 'buy' each of these things and toss 'em into your deck.
I'm not even saying that the DC game is necessarily bad, but compared to the titles that are already out there (as well as upcoming titles), it's extremely thin in terms of mechanics and player decisions, and it doesn't capture the feel of any type of super heroic action.
Honestly, if the mechanics had at least made me feel like I was recruiting a team and battling villains, I could easily deal with the simpler game mechanics. But instead, I just feel like I'm out shopping, trying to get the best value (VP) for my money (Power), with a few comic book illustrations pasted on top to add 'personality'.
Ironically, both Penny Arcade and 3012 (both made by Cryptozoic) have mechanics that are not only deeper and more interesting, but do a better job of creating the feel that I'm building up a character/team and taking down bad guys... And to be honest, that may very well be part of the reason I'm so disappointed in DC...