WWE SuperCard for Android Review

Welcome back to Freemium Queen! This week, we look at a card trading game, WWE SuperCard by 2K Games, Inc.

Players start out with a pack of Common trading cards, which they add to by playing Exhibition matches and event games. They can improve these cards by training them (feeding them lower-tier cards), combining them with identical cards (turning them “Pro”), or putting them in the Fusion Chamber. However, this last step was not one that I had a great deal of success utilizing at any tier above Uncommon. I always beat opponents who had Fusion Chamber cards.

As players collect better cards, it may be tempting to add every new high-tier card to the Exhibition deck. This is a bad idea—until players have every card (including Divas) on a tier, it’s best to keep only one in your Exhibition deck so that you can continue to play a lower tier and win more. What puzzles me—and feel free to tell me in the comments—are the opponents who have 20,000+ matches and are still playing the Super Rare tier. The tier you play limits the cards you receive, and I would think they have a full deck of Epic, Legendary, or higher cards by now. 

Exhibition players can choose from among four opponents. Pay attention to the tier of the person you choose to play—matches seem to be offered based on players who are online at the time and sometimes high tiers are included, especially if you are playing at Epic rarity. Three matches are then played (unless there is a tie, which happens quite rarely). These matches may be either single or tag team and the important skill will be highlighted to make choosing your card easier. If a player has a support card that they want to use (such as the Kendo Stick, which gives extra points to Power and Speed), they must tap it before they tap the card they are using that round. If it is a tag team round, make sure the cards you choose are compatible (including both halves of the yellow or blue diamond).

Once an Exhibition match is over, the winning player receives an Energy card (see below). Players then draw 1-3 cards based on the number of matches they won. Players who were defeated in all three matches still get to choose one card. In my experience, drawing Divas is so rare that the player must engage in a King of the Ring Tournament. 

King of the Ring is a two day tournament that pits your team against 15 other teams. Remember a minute ago when I said to stick with lower tiers in the Exhibition? The opposite is true in KotR. It seems that all anyone who wants to make it to the semifinals has to do is open the app frequently and play a lot of Exhibition matches to earn Energy cards. Energy cards are then used to increase stamina, which depletes as the tournament grinds on. This will knock out a lot of players who have better cards than you. Players in the semifinals will win one card at their current rarity tier. YMMV, but I have made the semifinals (and often won) every single time that I have participated in KotR.

There are also events every weekend, and sometimes events as well. The rules for these are clearly laid out. There are frequently team events and players can opt into joining others. Players have the ability to private message and block one another, although I did not test these out. There is both a global chat and private team/KotR chat rooms. I read several older reviews alluding to racist or sexually-oriented chat, but did not witness these comment types myself. Hopefully, game devs have put in a screen.

The biggest downside, by far, is the too-frequent appearance of the “Waiting on Network” screen. This is the only thing that kept me from rating it five stars in Play. Also, since the last update, the images on the cards seem to be a lower resolution. The last minor quibble—it would be better if we could have higher limits on the number of cards we’re allowed. 25 Energy refills equal two and a half rounds of KotR. 150 wrestler cards is a low ceiling. After a certain point, players will find themselves improving Rare cards, even though they no longer play them, just to have the space free. However, the game is overall a very enjoyable experience.

WWE SuperCard at a Glance

Category: Sports

Developer: 2K Games, Inc

Last updated:  20 June 2016

Is it worth playing? Yes

What is the time commitment for this game? All a player really has to do is check in each day to work toward their daily bonus. Five daily bonuses are awarded per month. But if a player is involved in a King of the Ring tournament, they will need to play for a couple of hours a day for two days on order to collect energy cards.

How long does it take for free games/energy to refill? During special events, bouts fill at varying speeds, usually fifteen minutes but sometimes an hour. However, players can play as many Exhibition matches as they like at any time.

How intrusive are the ads? There is an ad for purchasing cards and credits that displays when the player opens the app, and infrequently between bouts.  Players can watch a few videos each day to earn more Draft Picks. 

How is premium currency earned? Players must purchase credits. Better cards can be purchased, earned, and received as a login bonus.

Top tip: In my experience, the only way to earn diva cards at your current rank is participating in a King of the Ring Tournament.

Does the game utilize Google Play Games? Yes, but having friends who play is not necessary. Players complete against others worldwide.

Does the game grant achievements? Yes. After two months of play, I have earned all but one.

What permissions does the app ask?