Smash Up
Smash Up is a digital collectible card game adaptation where you build your deck by combining two different factions into one wild mashup. Matches support up to four players, and the real appeal comes from experimenting with faction pairings, learning their synergies, and finding combos that can steal bases at the last second.
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Publisher: Nomad Games Playerbase: Low Type: CCG Release Date: December 2016 Pros: +Faithful digital take on the tabletop original. +Plenty of faction pairings to explore and refine. +Playable online against others or offline versus AI. Cons: -Some factions are restricted behind the cash shop. -Online matchmaking provides limited details while waiting. -Small overall community. |
Smash Up Overview
Smash Up translates the popular tabletop card game into a digital format, asking you to craft a deck by choosing two factions and blending them into a single pile. From Zombies and Dinosaurs to Geeks and other themed crews, each faction brings its own set of tools, so the pairing you select often matters more than any one card. With more than eight factions to choose from, the growing list of possible mixes quickly becomes the main hook.
Gameplay revolves around Bases and the tug-of-war of Power totals. You deploy Minions to Bases, and each Minion’s Power contributes to that Base’s running total. Every Base has a breaking point, and when the combined Power hits that number (for example, 20 Power), scoring is triggered and players earn points based on their position there. Action cards shake up the board by moving Minions, altering totals, or setting up last-second sequences that punish opponents who commit too hard.
The fundamentals click quickly, but the deeper strategy comes from timing windows and faction interactions. You can play with up to four players, either facing others online or taking on AI opponents offline. The UI supports learning as well: you can hover cards for clear text, and there’s a guided tutorial that introduces the essentials before you dive into full matches.
Smash Up Key Features:
- Smash Up Goes Digital – the tabletop favorite is playable on PC as well as iOS and Android devices.
- 8+ Factions – combine and remix more than eight factions to create loads of different pairings.
- Online & Offline – battle real opponents online or practice against AI when playing offline.
- In-Game Log – an activity log tracks the cards that get played, making it simple to review earlier turns.
- Tutorial – go through the tutorial to pick up the core rules and flow of play.
Smash Up Screenshots
Smash Up Featured Video
Smash Up Review
Smash Up’s best quality is also its core identity, it is a card game built around matchup creativity. Instead of chasing a single meta deck list, you are encouraged to learn how two factions complement one another, then pilot that hybrid effectively across multiple bases. For players who enjoy card games as puzzle-like systems, where small sequencing decisions matter a lot, Smash Up provides a satisfying loop.
The moment-to-moment play is centered on reading the board and predicting when a Base will pop. Because scoring is triggered by a Power threshold, you are constantly weighing whether to commit more Minions, hold back to avoid enabling an opponent, or use Actions to manipulate a Base at the last possible moment. That structure creates frequent swing turns, and it also means you rarely feel safe, even when you are ahead on a Base.
Faction design is the standout. Each group feels like it has a purpose, and mixing two sets of Minions and Actions creates a distinct game plan. Some combinations lean into raw Power, others into movement and disruption, and others focus on opportunistic scoring. The downside of that variety is balance can feel uneven depending on what you face, especially when opponents bring pairings that naturally punish your approach. Even so, the system generally rewards familiarity over luck, because knowing what common factions can do helps you play around surprises.
As a digital adaptation, the presentation is functional and easy to follow. Card text readability matters a lot in this genre, and Smash Up handles that well with hover details and an in-game log that lets you verify what occurred during messy or complex turns. The tutorial is worthwhile, particularly if you are new to the tabletop rules or to base-control style card games.
Online play is where the game wants to live, but the community is labeled as low, which can affect matchmaking variety and the long-term sense of competition. There are also usability frustrations, including the lobby providing limited information while you queue. If you prefer a more dependable experience, the offline AI option is helpful for learning factions and testing combinations, even if it cannot replicate the unpredictability of real opponents.
The biggest hesitation for potential buyers is access to content. With some factions locked behind the cash shop, it can be harder to treat the game as a complete toolkit out of the gate. If you are mainly here to experiment with every possible pairing, that limitation may be noticeable. If you are satisfied mastering a smaller set and occasionally expanding, it is easier to accept.
Overall, Smash Up is a solid choice for players who want a lighter, faster card game where board position and timing create constant tension. It is straightforward to pick up, has enough faction variety to keep it interesting, and works well as either a quick competitive session or a relaxed offline card battler.
Smash Up Links
Smash Up Official Site
Smash Up Steam Page
Smash Up Google Play [Not Yet Available]
Smash Up iTunes App Store [Not Yet Available]
Smash Up System Requirements
Minimum Requirements:
Operating System: Windows Vista
CPU: 2.0GHz Dual Core
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9600GT or AMD Radeon HD 4600
RAM: 2 GB
Hard Disk Space: 500 MB
Recommended Requirements:
Operating System: Windows Vista or better
CPU: 2.0GHz Dual Core or better
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9600GT or AMD Radeon HD 4600
RAM: 2 GB
Hard Disk Space: 500 MB
Also available on iOS and Android.
Smash Up Music & Soundtrack
Coming soon!
Smash Up Additional Information
Developer(s): Nomad Games
Publisher(s): Nomad Games
Platform(s): PC, iOS, Android
Early Access: October 12, 2016
PC Release Date: December 2016
iOS and Android Release Date: TBA
Development History / Background:
Originally created as a tabletop card game by designer Paul Peterson, Smash Up was later adapted into a digital edition developed and published by the UK-based studio Nomad Games. The PC version entered Early Access on Steam in October 2016, followed by a full PC release planned for December 2016.