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Article 63: The delayed New Year

Last year, when I wrote my new year article, I wrote it almost 2 weeks early and the end result is that I have to write another article talking about "the ban that heard around the world". So this year, with Phantom Darkness released so late into the year, I think of "maybe I can just push the article to around 28th or 29th and write it". Well, now it's the 18th of January of the next year, where it's one year since I wrote the first article of last year (talking about the Stein ban, of course). Of course, this is due to the fact that I was in Hong Kong, shopping, eating, visiting relatives, just having fun, and left no time for DMComet.

In an overall comment on the game, well, one thing is as people may have notice I get busier and busier so I do not have as much time to play the game or even write quality card review/articles on the latest card. I feel like I had not wrote a good article or review the WHOLE year, so...maybe I would write a better one this time?

On the game overall, this year introduced the idea of TCG exclusives. Although TCG getting cards first is nothing new...this time is different. Previously, when TCG get a card, OCG will VERY soon get the same card. No no, not anymore, now Upperdeck learned to make the Japanese the one playing "wait game": first Dual Summoner, then Grandmaster "the broken Six Samurai", of course, the Rocket that REALLY boost Volcanic. Then they gone insane...putting out 10 exclusives a set, some good (and some bad). Now...who knows? Maybe there IS a need for a "Promo Edition" reprint pack.

Anyway, let's follow last year's format and I will review the set/structure, the lists, and writing the last word.

Sets/Related product
Like last year, this year have 4 "big" booster sets, but only 3 Structures, then compensated with an extra Duelist Pack, plus an abundance of promos. Again, I give scores based on the card designed, the impact on metagame, and what-not. And for the other things: like the Structure Deck (based on how good they're built and how good are the new cards), reprints, promos overall.

Force of the Breaker: 8.2/10 - The "themed" set of the year. This set runs 2 series of cards use by side characters in the GX anime: Gem Beast and Volcanic. While both do not really have success in tournament (as expected), I think both series gives us something new and something fun to play with. Gem Beast is one of the more creative mechanic, too bad there is just not much expansion that can be done. Of course, the set also gives us the forever-will-be-behated Wind Emperor (Raizer). Otherwise, the card power level is OK, the design of the set is little bit rush but that's fine, there was a LOT of cards waiting to be released back then anyway.

Tactical Evolution: 8.7/10 - This set gave us a TRUE new mechanic...something that had not happened to the game for a LONG time. Of course, I'm talking about Dual monster, and I would not repeat what I think about them here. As for other, Venoms do as bad as anyone would think they would, etc. The TRUE breakthrough of this set is the size increase, something that I long awaited for and called for. The creativity of this set is there, the power level, however, is sad.

Gladiator's Assault: 7.9/10 - This set introduced the "baton pass" mechanic, which I really like but too bad there is no expansion to that. Otherwise, the Cloudians sucks as expected, the Evil Hero is a nice attempt for Konami to sell more card but yet nobody wants them. And yes, I do love the return of "kuso" cards: cards that either does nothing or hurt yourself. In last word, the creativity is OK, the power level is not high as usual.

Phantom Darkness: 9.1/10 - This set redefined the way "Dark" was previously thought about. Like 307, this set also have support for few "minor" type in the game, then there is of course the Yubels, support for a LOT of things, and a nice way to round up the year. Of course, don't forget that somebody actually use cards (note the "s") from this set to go to tournament...

Duelist Packs: 3.4/10 - More new cards, that's all they have. More cards does not mean they are good however, and the new Duelist Packs certainly are BAD.

Promo: 8.0/10 - This year's promo, compared to last year ones...suck. Last year just have Baboon, LnDD, Airman, Gorz, and you cannot beat THAT. Not that they are bad...it's just not as insane, that's it.
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Structure Deck:
Curse of Darkness - 2.4/10 - There is bad structure, but this one is purely terrible. The new cards are disappointing (and Dark have to wait until the very end of this year to have some decent card)! The deck strategy is just everywhere: beatdown there, burn here, and Ectoplasma at the end...what the hell?
Revival of Grand Dragon- 2.1/10 - If there is terrible structure, this one is doubly terrible. Yes, [Trade In] is a pretty good card, but for a "Dragon" structure, what in the world is an Angel? There is at least some strategy, not a very good one, however. Depending on dump-reborn and situational special summoning large creatures just doesn't work, just doesn't.
Advent of Emperors - 8.5/10 - People like this Structure for the obvious reason: it have the Emperors/Monarchs. This structure just SELL...not because it's play out-of-the-box, however (get 3...it is playable out of box). Wicked Emperor and DDR are nice cards...and who cares about the others?
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The ban/restriction list!
I still hate the overall idea of having a list that is released every 6 months...especially for cards that released JUST after 3/1 and 9/1 and people have to suffered from them for 5 1/2 months...

Anyway, just brief rating:
3/1 banlist: 7.9/10 - There is actually a decent list in a while. There is the "promo restriction", there is the "kill the tech", and some questionable decisions. They made the Theft mistake so I would not forget them for THAT.
9/1 banlist: 8.4/10 - The only mistake is that they didn't kill Monarch/Emperor deck (and make it more powerful, for that matter). Otherwise, a balance list, nice shift to metagame, not overextending like they use to...
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The good, the bad, and the ugly
I just love this section...

Good: There is actually some creativity in the cards. Not that all of them can be credited to the design team (as some of them are thought by the anime creators), nor all of them are powerful, yet they bring fresh ideas.
Bad: The division b/t TCG and OCG...it just gets larger and larger.
Ugly: Just how nowhere as many people play this game anymore. The bad thing is that I don't have the passion about the game as I used to, and certainly that may result of me growing up and not having people around me played cards all the time...

Hopes:
- Again...parallel release, por favor.
- Promo Reprint Booster Packs
- Please stop making so much different series and then "one pack and done" them. Either release less and make them better or make boosts!
- Waiting on the "new" thing coming up...although it maybe just multiplayer but there may be more...hope it doesn't disappoint me.

That's it, hope everybody have a good year, and wish all presidential candidates good luck running the mess left by our president after they won.

- Baron, 1/18/2008