Disney Lorcana
Disney Lorcana, a new Trading Card Game by ToonTownGames, showcases a genuine love for Disney characters. It avoids the common cash-grab approach seen in many modern releases, instead aiming to cater to Disney fans. The game’s true appeal lies in this authenticity and the sense of nostalgia it evokes. Whether you are a die-hard Disney fanatic or someone with a fond memory of watching old Disney VHS tapes as a child, the game has something for everyone.
There is something inherently charming about Disney Lorcana. From the outset, the game’s art direction and design choices immediately draw you in. The cards’ illustrations are vibrant and colorful, featuring a diverse selection of characters ranging from popular (Ariel, Elsa, etc.) to obscure (Farquaad, Hook, etc.).
The card selection process further solidifies the game’s storytelling-driven approach. Each card is accompanied by a short animation of the character’s most memorable scene, hinting at the game’s narrative. The first card, ‘Flora’s Gift’, features the first-ever appearance of Flora the Fairy, who is set to play a significant role in the upcoming chapters.
The card selection process also strikes a good balance between inclusion of popular characters and lesser-known ones. It is refreshing to see some of the Disney villains, who are often overlooked in other TCGs, have a significant presence in this game. Maleficent, for example, is present in two cards (‘Flora’s Gift’ and ‘Aurora’s Arrival’) with an animation depicting one of her most memorable scenes from Sleeping Beauty.
The randomness in the card selection process also adds to the game’s appeal. I was pleasantly surprised when I received a random selection of cards that did not feature my favorite character, Mickey Mouse. Instead, I was treated to lesser-known characters such as Quasimodo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), who I had completely forgotten about. This little touch of randomness adds a sense of surprise, which complements the gameplay experience.
Disney Lorcana captures the feeling of watching old Disney VHS tapes as a child. It evokes a sense of nostalgia and the magic of classic Disney movies. It is important to note that the game’s true appeal lies in its nostalgic charm rather than the gameplay itself, as I will discuss further in the gameplay section below. The game avoids feeling like a corporate-driven product and instead feels like a labor of love. This is not to say that the gameplay is subpar; on the contrary, it is actually quite fun (more on that later), but the true appeal of Disney Lorcana lies in its authenticity.
As a TCG fan, I always appreciate it when a game manages to stand out from other modern offerings that rely heavily on IP and marketing strategies. Disney Lorcana manages to capture the essence of the brand and avoid feeling like a cheap attempt to capitalize on the Disney name. I hope the game’s success will continue in future chapters, as I will be looking forward to seeing the evolution of this highly promising new game.
If you are interested in checking out Disney Lorcana for yourself, you can download the game on PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox One.
Gameplay
As mentioned above, the gameplay of Disney Lorcana is quite fun. The game’s true appeal, however, lies in the nostalgia-driven approach. The gameplay is not necessarily unique or innovative, but it is still enjoyable. In this section, I provide a brief overview of the gameplay and offer my personal thoughts.
As I have mentioned, the gameplay is not the true appeal of Disney Lorcana. The gameplay itself is relatively straightforward and easy to pick up. You build a deck of cards featuring a selection of your favorite Disney characters and go against your opponent in a head-to-head match. Each player has a lifebar which they must manage while trying to reduce the opponent’s life to zero.
The gameplay is fast-paced, as you have to strategically manage your lifebar as well as your cards. Each card has a certain amount of energy required to play it, but you can only use a limited number of cards per turn. This requires you to carefully manage your resources and strategize to win.
