Mage Tower, A Tower Defense Card Game (2013)

About this game

Mage Tower is a tower defense card game for 1-4 players that combines the frenzy of tower defense games with the replayability and customization of fantasy card games. Each game you make a unique deck from over 170 different spells and abilities. You and opponents pick from a selection of cards to build your deck. Focus on card combos, synergy, balanced energy costs, and watch out for your opponent's strategy! During the game there are two decks: the Monster Deck and your customized Player Deck. Each turn monsters come out of the monster deck to attack you, and you use the cards from your Player Deck to deal damage to them, draw cards, mess with opponents, and more. There are also some subtle deck building elements with "Prize Cards" you can buy during the game to add to your deck. The first players to lose all their life from the monsters lose.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 1 to 4. It has a designed solo mode.
• Rules load. At 2.8/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 13 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.