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Go to the Android: Netrunner page
 
Go to the Android: Netrunner page

Android: Netrunner

51 out of 61 gamers thought this was helpful

As a kid, in the 90s, there was a period when there was this craze of collecting Pokemon cards, about the same time they aired the series on TV. I remember trading these cards with friends (sometimes fooling them into believing a lame pokemon was super awesome), but never actually got down to battling it out like the game was actually supposed to be played. And then there was a long hiatus of no card games thanks to computer and console games, up till three weeks back when I was introduced to Android Netrunner. I must say, it is a breath of fresh air, a refresher considering I am only used to playing computer games (DOTA 2 mostly).

Android Netrunner is a two player asymmetrical living card game originally designed by Richard Garfield (the designer of Magic: The Gathering) and published by Fantasy Flight games. The game is set in a dystopian future where man and machine live side by side. While one player plays as a powerful and evil megacorporation, intent on advancing their agendas, the other is pitted against them as runners (elite hackers) who aim to thwart the advancing agendas. That introduction to the game does no justice to the underlying complexity of its gameplay.

When I went about learning the game, a lot of my friends (who were also new to this type of game) complained about how complex the game and its terminologies were. The publishers have done a great job setting up the theme of the game, the understanding of which is extremely important in my opinion. Learning its complex terminologies is critical to be able to truly enjoy the game. What a game like Pokemon had running for it is that, the cartoon helped set the theme and terminologies of pokemon battles. If Netrunner was based on a cartoon, I’m sure no one would complain about it being complex. I was hit by its steep learning curve when I tried the various factions available in the core set of the game. Yes, the game offers multiple factions: the core set offering four corporate factions and three runner factions. Each faction has distinct and unique abilities but provides the same flavour of game play. Even after a couple of games, I was still a little unsure about certain rules. You need to play the game with every faction a couple of times, to be able to fine tune your understanding. There is no shortcut but to practice! Considering it is asymmetrical, the same applies to both sides, each taking up a different role and different routes to achieve their objectives. I would draw an analogy with DOTA here, where the learning curve is again extremely steep. But if you persevere and cross it successfully, the games are extremely intense and enjoyable.

So what is the gameplay like? The aim of each player is to score seven agenda points though there are other end game states as well. Each player takes turns to perform a set of actions, spending time units called “Clicks”. The corporation must install agendas (concepts they want to develop until financially viable), assets (either as a bluff or as a resource) in its servers, and then protect/defend them with “Ice” cards. The runner installs computer hardware and programs that they will use to break into the corporations servers by making runs (hacking attempts). There is a huge amount of strategy involved. Every action you take in the game will matter. In fact, it would be a rare turn where you feel you have extra actions to burn. Players have a lot of control over everything that happens (you also literally control more and more table space after each turn). Every time you play, the cards will arrive in a different order so it will never be exactly the same but you will find patterns behind the cards that help you to take control. Netrunner has a pattern to it. Every game of Netrunner is different, but every game is a duel between the runner and corporation faced with similar problems that require similar responses. Recognising the patterns in the game, and where you fit into that pattern, helps you to understand what you need to do. You could sit there blaming your luck, but knowing how best to utilize your current hand and playing strategically to tackle problems is extremely critical. In the majority of the games I played, I always felt like I was going to lose, because while I was estimating how far I was from victory, the opponent could win at any point.

Another commonality with DOTA is that the game seems to have phases – early game, mid game and end game. As the corporation’s servers are defenceless to begin with, the runner can make successful runs at them, playing aggressively in a sense. Once the corporation spends enough time and credits (money in the netrunner world) building up his fortress of servers and ice, he can bait the runner into traps by bluffing. Come late game, the runner is at an advantage. They have their icebreaking programs running and fuelled, which can break through any defence as long as they have sufficient credits to spend. The corporation needs to come in and start advancing their agendas as soon as possible and not drag it out in the favour of the runner.

Netrunner isn’t a game which can be taught to others easily. I realised this teaching it to one of my friends. I needed to educate him about both the corporation and runner, and the long list of complex terminologies. Finding people who you can actually sit and play with was becoming hard. I had no other resort but to go online. I went onto a site, played several games with random decks and spoke to my opponents in detail about several strategies and advice on how to improve and to my surprise each one of them patiently sat down and answered my endless questions and put up with my noobness. I must say the community is extremely helpful (though you may always find exceptions). There are loads of resources available online on deckbuilding, strategies and gameplay.

As someone new to collectible card games, I must say I’m surprised that I found the game to be so intense and enjoyable. With enough time spent learning the game, I think this is a game where one could experience co-liberation, playing at the height of strategy and a competitive spirit.

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