The Best Card Games of 2025

Rating: 5

Balatro is a roguelike deck-building game designed to captivate players with its strategic and dynamic gameplay. At the heart of Balatro lies the intricate dance between building, refining, and strategizing with your deck. The game challenges players to overcome progressively daunting blinds, each stage requiring a reevaluation and reformation of their strategies. The introduction of joker cards and unique modifiers adds layers of depth, allowing players to explore combinations and synergies that make each playthrough a fresh and engaging experience. The mechanics of Balatro are a testament to both accessibility and intricacy. For seasoned gamers, the evolving challenges create an environment ripe for strategic exploration and mastery. Yet, the intuitive design ensures newcomers aren't left in the lurch, providing a gateway into the complex world of deck-building without overwhelming them from the start. Amid its engaging mechanics, what makes Balatro truly shine is the addictive nature of its gameplay. The drive to refine one's strategy, to outwit the game’s challenges, and the satisfaction of seeing a well-planned deck come to fruition are invigorating. This merging of strategy and excitement has not gone unnoticed; Balatro has received universal acclaim from critics and players alike, a testament to its well-crafted design and engaging gameplay loop. In the competitive market of games, achieving universal acclaim is no small feat, and Balatro's sales figures, exceeding 5 million copies by January 2025, underscore its success and resonance with players globally. In conclusion, Balatro is more than just a game; it's a journey of strategic discovery. With its intelligent design and addictive play style, it sets a high bar in the roguelike deck-building genre and continues to be a staple for anyone looking to lose themselves in strategy and card play.

— Ava Martinez

Rating: 5

MTG Tarkir: Dragonstorm marks a triumphant return to the cherished plane of Tarkir, reigniting the passion of Magic: The Gathering fans with a stunning array of new cards and mechanics that center around dragons and the ever-intense clan rivalries. As the latest expansion, released in April 2025, it not only pays homage to the rich lore and history of Tarkir but also innovates with fresh gameplay experiences, breathing new life into the Magic: The Gathering universe. MTG Tarkir: Dragonstorm is notable for its thematic dedication to dragons, one of the most iconic and beloved creature types within Magic lore. This set magnifies the draconic elements, offering players and collectors a chance to delve deep into a dragon-centric narrative that enhances the game’s mythology and enriches deck-building potential. The interplay of clan rivalries adds another layer of narrative and strategic depth, making the set a rich tapestry of lore and competitive gameplay. One of the standout features of this set is the variety of products it offers, including Play Boosters and Commander decks. By catering to different play styles and collector interests, MTG Tarkir: Dragonstorm asserts itself as a versatile addition to any Magic collection. Whether you are a seasoned pro or an enthusiastic newcomer, the set’s offerings provide room to tailor experiences, fitting different preferences from competitive play to casual enjoyment. The introduction of new mechanics within this set challenges players to rethink strategies and explore novel dimensions in gameplay. With an emphasis on dragons and clans, the set innovates without alienating its established fanbase, successfully merging time-honored traditions with cutting-edge gameplay. Overall, MTG Tarkir: Dragonstorm encapsulates what makes Magic: The Gathering an enduring and captivating game. The combination of exciting mechanics with the nostalgic and powerful theme of Tarkir speaks to both the heart and mind of its players, ensuring it is celebrated and enjoyed by all who venture into its mystical realms.

— Sophia Brown

Rating: 4.9

The Gang offers players an innovative and engaging foray into the world of cooperative card gaming, where teamwork and strategic thinking are the cornerstones of success. Released in 2024, The Gang delivers an all-immersive experience, inviting players to embody a close-knit team of bank robbers on a daring mission to crack a vault. This game takes the ordinary card-playing experience and transforms it into an adrenaline-fueled, cooperative adventure, full of suspense and excitement. At its core, The Gang employs mechanics grounded in the familiar terrain of poker hands, but it turns this familiarity on its head by weaving in strategic communication that players must master. It is a game cleverly designed to encourage deduction, intuition, and smart teamwork, pushing players to read each other's intentions without overtly disclosing their cards. The subtlety in communication and the necessity to balance strategy with cooperation make each session a dynamic puzzle to solve, fueling excitement and engagement. As a standout choice for group play, The Gang combines easy-to-learn mechanics with deep strategic potential. The entry-level simplicity of its rules opens the gates for any player to jump in quickly and without intimidation. However, the strategic possibilities keep even the most experienced gamers intrigued, always revealing new layers of strategy with each game session. This balance makes The Gang a versatile and appealing addition to any game night, creating memorable experiences for players of varying skill levels. Critically, the game has been met with praise for its ability to foster interaction and camaraderie among players, deepening connections through shared triumphs and challenges. The bond forged through cooperative tactics and joint storytelling means each playthrough offers more than just a gaming session—it’s an opportunity to create lasting memories with friends or family. In conclusion, The Gang is a refreshing and innovative addition to the world of cooperative card games. Its blend of strategy, communication, and group dynamics ensures it remains an engaging and entertaining choice for any gathering.

— Emma Davis

Rating: 4.8

Disney Lorcana offers a captivating and enchanting journey into the world of trading card games, capturing the essence of Disney magic by assembling an array of beloved characters in strategic battles. The game effortlessly blends nostalgia with competitive edge, providing a unique experience that appeals not only to longtime Disney fans but also to newcomers eager for robust gameplay. Since its release, Disney Lorcana has risen to prominence in the gaming community, praised for its vibrant artwork and inventive take on the trading card genre. One of the most alluring attributes of Disney Lorcana is its expansive roster of characters spanning an array of Disney franchises, each contributing their distinctive traits and skills to the game. This diversity in character selection amplifies the strategic depth, allowing players to explore myriad combinations and synergies as they build their decks. The incorporation of nostalgia through recognizable characters creates an emotional connection that heightens the overall gaming experience. Disney Lorcana has excelled in crafting an accessible yet layered gameplay system. This ensures that it remains engaging for new players while providing the complexity and strategic challenge that veteran trading card enthusiasts seek. The design and mechanics encourage strategic exploration, meaning that players can continually adapt and refine their decks to face new opponents and scenarios, enriching replayability and long-term engagement. Recognition for Disney Lorcana's achievements came in the form of winning Best Ongoing Card Game at the 2023 Tabletop Awards, underscoring its quality and impact within the genre. This accolade is a testament to its well-crafted mechanics, art, and the genuine delight it brings to its audience, positioning it as a frontrunner in the card gaming market. In essence, Disney Lorcana is more than just a game; it’s a celebration of Disney's storytelling magic and creativity, wrapped in compelling gameplay that invites players into countless adventures alongside their favorite characters. Packed with nostalgia, strategy, and magic, Disney Lorcana proves to be a standout experience, beckoning players to immerse themselves in an enchanting world of cards, strategy, and Disney wonder.

— David Miller

Rating: 4.7

Marvel Snap is a powerhouse in the digital collectible card game genre, bringing the beloved characters of the Marvel Universe into an electrifying arena of strategy and competition. Launched in 2022, Marvel Snap has quickly risen to prominence as the top-rated digital trading card game, outpacing longstanding titans like Yu-Gi-Oh! and Magic: The Gathering Online, while achieving an impressive 22 million downloads by 2024. The game sets a new benchmark in digital card gaming through its rich blend of fast-paced matches, strategic depth, and captivating Marvel lore. Marvel Snap's core gameplay revolves around quick-fire matches that challenge players to outmaneuver their opponents using a well-constructed deck of iconic Marvel heroes and villains. Each character boasts unique abilities, which opens up myriad strategic pathways for players to explore and exploit. This offers both an engaging tactical challenge and an opportunity for fans to craft a formidable team from their favorite Marvel icons, blending lore with gameplay mechanics to enrich the overall experience. The game's competitive edge is amplified by its innovative mechanics, which encourage players to adopt varying strategies and adapt to an ever-shifting gaming environment. The ability to quickly switch tactics and deploy powerful combinations keeps the gameplay fresh, dynamic, and highly addictive, ensuring players return time and again for another match. Additionally, Marvel Snap has been lauded for its stunning visual design and attention to detail, which not only honors the legacy of the Marvel brand but also enhances the interplay of cards on the digital battlefield. The art and animations bring the essence of Marvel stories to life, adding layers of cinematic immersion to the gameplay. As it continues to evolve, Marvel Snap stands as a beacon of quality in digital card gaming, offering seasonal updates, events, and challenges that keep the community engaged and the game continuously evolving. In summary, Marvel Snap is far more than a digital card game; it is a thrilling encounter with the Marvel Universe, wrapped in an accessible yet complex strategic package that caters to both casual players and competitive aficionados.

— William Brown