Sanity Test for Defiance of the Gods: The Rift Olympus Deck

Mostly follows the expected structure.

Requirements are listed, though they don't match up with the standard listings on the store.

No introduction. This is a good place to present the world and the "why" of the game.

Excellent overview that summarizes the basic ideas of gameplay.

No component list, though the card breakdown is useful. How many cards should the player find in the box? Are there any other components they are likely to need?

Excellent card anatomy that tells you everything you need to know about the card structure.

The deck building and board zone description are clear overall. So is the setup section, but it would help a lot to have this near the deck building and board zone descriptions. Try telling the player how to setup, then moving into the anatomy of the turn (which is gameplay).

-- The deck building section's list of acceptable colors is a little confusing -- this might be easier to read with bullet points.

-- The mulligan rule should be referenced ("see below") or defined as part of main setup rules text.

-- Since you bring up higher player counts in other sections, how do you set up a game with more than two players?

The board view is excellent and informative. However, the board does not seem to be the product you are selling here. Where can players get the board, and how do the they set up the game if they don't have a board?

Overall, the gameplay rules are clear.

-- In the gameplay summary, the "Position" phase lets you move any permanent that hasn't already moved this turn. However, no previous phase mentions that permanents can move. Based on later text, it looks like permanents can be moved during combat -- this should be noted in the combat section.

-- In general, when can you use a card's special ability?

-- "Damage dealt to permanent's (shield) is cumulative throughout the entire game." Does this get tracked, and if so how and with what components?

Excellent examples that help a lot.

The How to Win section would be easier to find if it were at the end of the rules.

-- You probably don't need to go into so much detail about how to concede the game, at least in the two-player version. (Most people know how to resign a game.) It's worth nothing that you can concede a multi-player game and let the others keep playing, though.

This doesn't explain the core concepts for a player who has no experience with CCGs, but players with CCG experience should have no trouble.

In general, the rules text is clear.

Excellent presentation. The graphics are easy to understand. The rules text could be a little more consistent in layout and headline sizes but is very readable overall.

Ad image is spare but fits the game. The summary line does NOT sell the game -- I have never said to myself, "what I really want to do today is move cards to attack an opponent!". The bullet point telling me I also need to buy a playmat is also a turn-off, not a turn-on. What's fun and unique about the game? What's the player fantasy here?

The backdrop is intriguing, but feels a little empty. It feels like there should be something in the clouds that tells more about the game.

Logo is attractive and looks okay with the backdrop.

Only one action shot, and it feels more like it's showing off the playmat (not what you're selling here) than the cards. Let's see a few representative card images, a play example or two, and ideally a picture of attractive people having an amazing time playing the game.

My eyes glazed over about halfway through the huge paragraph of mechanical game description. Tell me why the game is fun and worth my hard-earned money! Preferably in short, easy-to-understand paragraphs! With pictures!

No video.