Android: Netrunner LCG

Some of you might remember the game called Netrunner. It is a game that intrigued me and I liked it. But it was more for its flavor than the mechanics of the game. The real reason why this game was not the number one for me is because of its complexity. (I was too young when this game was released).

Netrunner was published in 1996 and the game was created by Richard Garfield, who is also the creator of Magic: The Gathering. This game was created later than Magic and there are some things that fix some issues that Magic has (mana screw/mana flood problem mostly). Anyway Living Card Games usually avoid this as well. But many (living, collectible, trading) card games feel similar. This one stands out in many ways.

Android: Netrunner is an updated version of Netrunner but that takes place in Android world (Fantasy Flight Games Android Board Game) which well for me means that it looks similar to Android. It looks great but does not tell me anything. So this time I look at this game from the mechanics point of view.

Netrunner is a game in which one player takes on the role of a Corporation and the other player takes a role of a runner - a hacker that tries to steal the Corporation's information. The Corp player tries to advance agendas and to protect the information about its operations it uses computer programs called ice. The hacker tries to hack into the system and needs to break the ice in order to get to the informatin. The Corporation player needs to play an agenda, protect it on the server by playing ice programs. Ice programs each contain of subroutines that try to stop the runner by various effects. There are also some tracing subroutines. The agenda needs to be advanced - a certain number of counters need to be put on it. When the number is the same as on the card you managed it and you score that card.

The runner on the other hand needs to attack a server containing a card. If he gets past ice he can see the face down card. If it is an agenda card he takes it and gets points for it. One of the interesting things here is the fact that server is also your hand, your deck of cards or your discard pile. In each of these zones there can be agenda cards and if the runner hits them he gets them.

When one of the players gets 7 or more points he wins the game. There are different win conditions as well though. They differ depending on what you play.

There are many things that can happen in the game but I won't tell you what exactly. Just try the game out. The game provides many options but many times you need to bluff as well. You can get into a really bad situation or a really good one. Being cautious and ready for everything can cost you a game as you won't be fast enough. There are moments in which you really need to risk. If there is something you forgot about than it will cost you a lot. You really need to know how to play with your opponent, there's nothing like a good play you could do without the knowledge of your opponents thoughts. You need to adapt or you really have to control. Many things can go awry and there are many things you need to track.

I really like this game. (I might write more about the game later...for this time this will have to do)