Neon Reign Review

"Each player alternates turns attacking and defending. To attack, a player can choose up to three cards from their hand that represent a combination of joystick and button options, like what you'd find on an arcade game. Joysticks feature the four cardinal directions, and there are four button options (A, B, X, Y). Attackers must play at least one card, while defenders may play up to two cards."

"Attacks deal damage and increase your character's star meter based on how you combo your cards. A right joystick with two Y buttons may provide the attacker with not only base attack, but also combos that boost this value. Attacks can combo into healing, shields, and star power based on which options they choose. The more cards that are effective, the more benefits are provided."

"On the other side, a defender can try to prevent the attack's effect. A Throw card in hand can prevent a joystick attack, while a Block card can negate a button. And considering a defender can play two cards, they may be able to prevent combos as well. There is even a specific Combo Breaker card that doesn't stop the initial values of either card type but fully prevents combos from triggering."

Neon Reign is a fast 1-2 player card battler where each player seeks to reduce the opponent's life to zero using a deck and a chosen character in roughly ten to fifteen minute matches. Players alternate attacking and defending, with attackers playing up to three joystick-and-button cards drawn from four cardinal directions and four buttons (A, B, X, Y), and defenders playing up to two cards. Card combinations produce damage multipliers, healing, shields, or star meter charge. Defenders use Throw, Block, or Combo Breaker cards to stop attacks or prevent combos. Distinct characters grant star powers and passives, and a simple solo deck automates opponent behavior with card flips.

Read at Board Game Quest