Ever since the release of the Japan-exclusiveYu-Gi-Oh! Monster Capsule Breed and Battlegame in 1998, the famous card game franchise has made itself almost synonymous with video games. There are multipleYGOvideo games made in the image of both the physical trading card game and the anime, with some taking notes from other games such as Dungeon Dice Monsters showcased during the series' run. With therelease ofYu-Gi-Oh Master Duel, and nowYu-Gi-Oh Cross Duelset to launch worldwide soon, the momentum ofYGO-based video games isn’t stopping.
Yu-Gi-OhCross Duelhas soft launched in Canada, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands, unfortunately launching on the same day the news thatYu-Gi-Oh’s own creator Kazuki Takahashi had passed away. As fans mourned the loss of such a wonderful artist and writer, those that playedCross Duelas they did so were comforted by aYGOvideo game that embraces everything the series stands for.Cross Duelhas turned out to be a perfect way to pay tribute to everything that makesYu-Gi-Ohunique in new, yet also familiar way.
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Fan-Favorite Yu-Gi-Oh Tag Force Mechanics
The set ofYu-Gi-Ohvideo games that has been the most successful with fans is the Yu-Gi-Oh Tag Forceseries. This series saw fans playing through their favorite moments of theYu-Gi-Oh GXand5Dsanime,with a Japan-only gamefocusing on every series up toArc-Vin one huge title. While severalYGOgames allow players to immerse themselves into their favorite arcs of the TV shows, what madeTag Forcetitles special was the mechanics that let players team up and befriend the franchise’s many characters through dueling, interacting with them, and giving them gifts.
These mechanics were adored by fans, as they allowed players to bond with almost every prominent character from their respective series such asprotagonists like Jaden Yukiand even villains like Aporia. After these features were notably missing fromYu-Gi-Ohgames past 2015,Cross Duelmarks their return as a core part of the gameplay. The mobile game features a designated tag duel mode where players befriend their favorite characters as the partner that fans chose gives commentary across the game’s other modes. Once word got out thatCross Duelbrought back such a beloved feature, many players were immediately interested in the game.
Every Yu-Gi-Oh Anime is Represented
Even though theTag Forcegames went on for a fairly long time, spanning seven unique titles, it didn’t last forever.Yu-Gi-Oh Arc-V Tag Force Specialmarked the endof the series which left the last anime based on the TCG without aTag Forcegame to call its own. For fans ofYu-Gi-Oh VRAINS, this was rather tragic as the themes of unexpected friendships that push through hardships in the VR-inspired anime felt like they would lend itself well to the game’s friendship mechanics.
Now, asCross Dueltakes notes from the fan-favorite PSP titles, every anime fromYu-Gi-Oh Duel MonsterstoVRAINShave their characters featured with full voice acting. This means those that yearned for aTag Forcegame that allowed players to interact with more recent additions to the series' large character roster such as Yusaku “Playmaker” Fujiki can finally see that wish fulfilled inCross Duel.EvenYu-Gi-Oh SEVENShas its placein the new mobile title, despite the fact thatSEVENSis more focused on the spin-off TCGYu-Gi-Oh Rush Duel. Even though the two shows have had video game releases before,VRAINS' Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolutionwas held back by several problems that left series fanatics feeling rather dissatisfied with how the sixthYGOanime was represented. So far,Cross Duelhas left manyVRAINSfans rather fulfilled after going the series' entire run without a proper video game.
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Cross Duel Uses Yu-Gi-Oh’s Classic Experimentation
WhileYu-Gi-Ohhas made a name for itself as a card game franchise, the series was never about card games to begin with. In the first seven volumes of the manga, the series was about games in general as Kazuki Takahashi would make up games for the characters to play as he wrote the series. They ranged from small, intriguing games that came with instructions so the readers could play it themselves, to “punishment games” that Yami Yugi would inflict on cheaters. ThefirstYu-Gi-Ohanime, referred to by fans as “Season Zero,” showcased this particular version ofYGOin specific.
Shortly after the game of Duel Monsters was introduced, the card game became the focus over time due to how much it intrigued readers. While Takahashi still created unique games for the series, these were few and far between in comparison to the series' many card-based duels. AsYu-Gi-Ohmight have outgrown the experimental nature of its other games,Yu-Gi-Oh Cross Duelalmost pays tribute to that forgotten aspect of the series' origins. Instead of it being yet anotherYGOcard game simulator, the latest release is instead a four player free-for-all experience that adapts the game to fit the new format. As a result, those who beginCross Duelexpecting to play it just like the TCG might feel out of place at first.
Despite that, many series loyalists who have playedCross Duelfor themselves have enjoyed what it brings back as well as what it introduces. While even the most frequent duelists have to get used to the latest game’s formatcompared toMaster Duel’s, those who have experienced it have saidCross Duel’sunique changes work particularly well, even if veteran players hesitate to say if it’s trulyYu-Gi-Oh. However, regardless on ifCross Duelis its own game or not, many fans have said they enjoy what it brings to the series.
The latest entry in the longlist ofYu-Gi-Ohvideo gamesis clearly one made out of respect and love for the franchise’s history while making sure to make itself stand out. While the timing of the game’s soft launch was rather unfortunate, it ended up serving as a great way to allow fans to pay tribute to the series Kazuki Takahashi has made. Series loyalists should certainly keep an eye on it as pre-registration has opened for the game in Japan and English-speaking countries. This mobile title also seems to be taking notes fromYu-Gi-Oh Duel Linksas future updates after the worldwide launch will probably add new characters and features. Players won’t want to miss when their favorite characters are available.
Yu-Gi-Oh Cross Duelis in development for Android and iOS, with the game available to play now in Canada, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands.
