Recent reviews by VoidStarHero

As a functioning simulator, it's great, probably the best theyve made.
But sadly, it's more than that, it's a gacha game.

Meta runs rampant in ranked, one thats more focused on FTKs and OTKs, or otherwise preventing the opponent from playing the game. If you want to climb each season, or complete any daily missions it becomes a "if you can't beat them, join them" type situation. Can you play other decks? Sure, but it's an insanely frustrating struggle that isn't worth the meager rewards that Ranked offers. On top of that, the singular ban list update we've gotten side-steps the core issues of the meta decks, making no real change to the state of the game.

Rewards are another issue, getting gems between events and season passes is honestly hard, and it's very easy to use (and lose) them to opening packs and not getting the cards you want or need. Materials are also hard to come by, and while you can dismantle and craft cards, it severely limits the amount of cards you'll be actually making and using, especially when the game requires so many "staples" in every deck, meta or not.

This leads me to a further problem I've found with Master Duel, card set releases/updates. As of now there have been 2 updates with new cards added, the first one took about 3 months from launch and added two entire Selection Packs worth of new cards (rounding out some of the sets that were half implemented form launch). While it took a bit, it allowed people to establish their current decks and still have some gems and materials, but it felt very short-notice when it was told it was coming.
But only a month and a half later we're dropped with ANOTHER Selection Pack with brand new cards mixing halves of 2 different sets from the card game. We were informed of these cards not even a full week ahead of time, some people excited at not having to wait another month and a half, but I and others were confused by the sudden drop during a clear lack of events and rewards of gems and materials.
Inconsistent and super sudden card releases hampers the ability to plan ahead, save gems and materials, and know what decks you want to build or burn. It shows Konami expects us to just pay up for gems to keep up with new releases and shifting meta. On top of all this, none of these new releases and new archetypes have Secret Packs meaning when the limited time Selection Packs go away there's a chance they will be trapped in the bloated Master Pack pool. (I hope they at least get secret packs when the selection pools end.)


It's still early, but I'm seeing common Konami tactics that show their greed, and it makes me fear for the future of the game. As of now it's hard to recommend the game to somebody, especially if you're new to Yu-Gi-Oh! or just want a more casual experience. A lot needs to change, and I hope it happens sooner rather later.