Astral Heroes
Astral Heroes is an online collectible card game (CCG) focused on building decks around fantasy heroes and creatures, then using them in turn-based duels against other players. You can either craft your own strategies through collection and deck construction, or jump into formats that test improvisation with prebuilt or drafted card pools.
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Publisher: Apus Software Playerbase: Low Type: CCG Release Date: March 15, 2016 Pros: +Readable match log that makes it easy to track actions. +Card text and effects are shown clearly in-game. +Approachable for newcomers to CCGs. Cons: -Visuals feel old-fashioned. -Bug issues can disrupt play. -Interface layout is awkward and unintuitive. |
Astral Heroes Overview
Astral Heroes is a collectible card game developed and published by Apus Software. It follows the studio’s earlier title, Astral Masters, and keeps the same turn-based foundation while leaning into a classic fantasy theme of heroes, monsters, and spell-like effects. Matches are built around careful sequencing and resource management, with the usual CCG loop of learning card interactions and refining a deck over time.
One of the game’s defining choices is its set of distinct play formats, each pushing a different kind of skill. Custom Decks is the traditional constructed mode where you collect cards and assemble your own list, then test it against other players online. Random Decks flips that idea by giving you a pre-made deck, shifting the emphasis toward adaptability and piloting rather than collection depth. Draft Tournament is the most experimental option, asking players to draft from a shared card pool to build a deck on the fly, then compete with what they managed to assemble.
In match, the presentation aims for clarity over spectacle. A prominent history log records what was played and what happened, which is useful for understanding complicated turns and for learning from mistakes. Cards also expose their descriptions and effects during play, so you spend less time guessing what a keyword means and more time planning around it. Outside of battles, players can join guilds, which function as a social layer and a way to accelerate progression and unlock extra features. Overall, the mechanics are familiar enough for CCG veterans to grasp quickly, but the card pool and format variety can still create a meaningful learning curve.
Astral Heroes Key Features:
- Match Action Log – each duel includes a large, readable history panel that tracks cards played and the effects that resolved.
- Multiple Ways to Play – switch between three modes, each with its own card set rules and strategic demands.
- Guild System – team up with other players to earn experience faster and access additional functionality through guild participation.
- In-Game Card Details – cards show their descriptions and effects during play, helping players make informed decisions.
- Accessible, With Depth – a tutorial and recognizable CCG structure make it easy to start, while mastering the card interactions takes time.
Astral Heroes Screenshots
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Astral Heroes Featured Video
Astral Heroes Review
Astral Heroes is built for players who enjoy traditional, turn-based card battling and want a few different competitive formats without having to learn an entirely new genre. At its best, it delivers the satisfying part of CCGs, reading the board, planning a turn ahead, and using your limited options to squeeze out value. The game’s emphasis on information visibility, especially the large match log and easy-to-read card text, supports that style well because you can reliably understand what happened and why.
The three-mode structure is also the strongest argument for sticking with it. Constructed play (Custom Decks) gives the familiar deckbuilding experience and rewards knowledge of the card pool. Random Decks is a good change of pace, especially for players who want competitive matches without feeling pressured to own specific cards right away. Draft Tournament adds a layer of decision-making before the first turn even begins, and it tends to highlight fundamentals such as curve, synergy, and knowing when to take a flexible pick over a narrow combo piece.
Where Astral Heroes struggles is in the parts that sit around the card game itself. The interface is not as smooth or modern as most players will expect, and navigation can feel needlessly clunky when you are trying to manage decks or find the option you want. The game also has a reputation for bugs, which can be particularly frustrating in a strategy title where outcomes should be determined by choices rather than technical issues. Visually, it looks dated, and while that does not ruin the core gameplay, it does affect first impressions and long-session comfort.
Even with those drawbacks, the foundation is understandable and functional: turn-based duels, readable rules text, and formats that encourage both preparation and improvisation. If you are specifically looking for a smaller CCG to learn, and you value clarity of information during matches, Astral Heroes has some appealing ideas. Players who are sensitive to rough UI or who want a polished, modern presentation may find the experience harder to recommend.
Astral Heroes Links
Astral Heroes Official Site
Astral Heroes Steam Greenlight Page
Astral Heroes Facebook Page
Astral Heroes System Requirements
Minimum Requirements:
Operating System: Windows XP
CPU: 2 GHz
RAM: 1 GB RAM
Video Card: any 64 MB VRAM card
Hard Disk Space: 300 MB available space
Official system requirements have not yet been released for Astral Heroes. The requirements above our based on our experience and will be updated when official numbers become available.
Astral Heroes Music & Soundtrack
Coming Soon!
Astral Heroes Additional Information
Developer(s): Apus Software
Publisher(s): Apus Software
Language(s): English, Russian
Open Beta Release Date: March 15, 2016
Steam Greenlight Post Date: May 2, 2016
Steam Greenlight Award Date: May 27, 2016
Development History / Background:
Astral Heroes is a CCG created and self-published by Apus Software, positioned as a follow-up to the studio’s earlier strategic card game, Astral Masters. Open beta access began on March 15, 2016. Shortly after, the game appeared on Valve’s Steam Greenlight on May 2, 2016, and later received community approval on May 27, 2016.