User Score
5.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 387 Ratings

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  1. May 18, 2015
    9
    Easy to learn, addictive, fun, pay to win, luck, skill all these Words fit Hearthstone. Personally I really enjoy it, but can easily understand those who doesnt. If you like LCG og CCG I recommend it.
  2. May 18, 2014
    8
    The people complaining about Hearthstone being pay to win are a misguided bunch. ALL card games are in some shape or way pay to win. Hearthstone does at least have a very viable way to earn gold to buy card packs. Again do not listen to the people trying to give this game a bad name by calling it P2W. All TCG's are pay to win to some extent. It is their very nature. Hearthstone is a veryThe people complaining about Hearthstone being pay to win are a misguided bunch. ALL card games are in some shape or way pay to win. Hearthstone does at least have a very viable way to earn gold to buy card packs. Again do not listen to the people trying to give this game a bad name by calling it P2W. All TCG's are pay to win to some extent. It is their very nature. Hearthstone is a very fun game that is easy to learn. It's colorful and vibrant. Give it a try you can not go wrong. Expand
  3. Jun 16, 2014
    10
    This is, hands down, the best card game I've ever played. If only more games were this addicting and this complex. There are so many different cards that work with other cards; it leads to endless value and constant reward. You're always working towards that next pack so the goal is always there. It's not perfect by any means. There are technical issues and free-to-play tropes put inThis is, hands down, the best card game I've ever played. If only more games were this addicting and this complex. There are so many different cards that work with other cards; it leads to endless value and constant reward. You're always working towards that next pack so the goal is always there. It's not perfect by any means. There are technical issues and free-to-play tropes put in (pay-to-win much). Even so, it's addicting and it's free so I have no issue giving this a perfect score, even if it's not a perfect game. Expand
  4. May 26, 2014
    10
    I didn't get it at first... then i started to understand what this game is. It's a perfectly polished addictive card game with lots of depth. Totally worth your money...oh wait... it's free. Best Ipad game yet
  5. Nov 20, 2014
    10
    This game brings back great memories of one of Blizzard's most successful games, Warcraft 3. It definitely has a Warcraft feel to it, which gives the player a feel of the world of Azeroth.
  6. Apr 19, 2014
    10
    Excellent and addictive game. Very in depth and very colourful and distinct classes. The competitive side of the game is also amazing. Only the ladder is real as Littlefinger says. Reaching Legend is for champions. lol.
  7. Jun 4, 2014
    8
    Blizzard did a good job making a engaging and simple card game that anyone can pick up and play. Unfortunately, Blizzard isn't known for fast content updates and may ultimately ruin their own game. Time will tell but with their track record I'm skeptical.
  8. Apr 24, 2014
    10
    Great game from start to finish. Yes, there is some RNG but that is part of most card games, fact is the card that comes up next being appropriate for the situation will always be part of card games. However, what makes this game great is its simplicity and addictiveness. This is exactly what the genre needs, its a good gateway to other more in-depth card games. Hearthstone is the best atGreat game from start to finish. Yes, there is some RNG but that is part of most card games, fact is the card that comes up next being appropriate for the situation will always be part of card games. However, what makes this game great is its simplicity and addictiveness. This is exactly what the genre needs, its a good gateway to other more in-depth card games. Hearthstone is the best at what it intends to do; create a simple game, with complexity underlying that is very hard to put down. The game is free to play, and some complain that it is pay to win, however, you can get every card by grinding, yes it will take a long time, but if you intend to go the free route it is definitely possible. If you have a little extra cash then spend the amount you would spend on most game (say $20) and invest in some card packs or arenas, it will be worth it. Expand
  9. Apr 30, 2014
    8
    I'm not a rabid Blizzard fan - in fact, I haven't liked anything they've made since Diablo 2/Warcraft III - until this. Hearthstone is accessible, fun, and free. It doesn't do anything incredibly new, but it is refined and has a lot of character, making it one of the best iOS TCG choices - second only to Solforge, in my opinion, though Hearthstone is far better polished.
  10. Apr 30, 2014
    10
    An instant classic. One of the most simple, addicting, fun strategy games I've ever played. Definitely, the best card game I've ever played thats for sure. It feels like I'm Ash in Pokemon. Highly recommend. Unlimited replay value.
  11. Jun 19, 2015
    10
    Will devour your soul and your wallet. 10/10. You can definitely play and enjoy with game while spending $0 just by doing daily quests (or doing them every 3 days as they pile up). I love this game and will always find time for it on the old iPad for multitasking. I also enjoy watching Trump and Reynad and Dog on Twitch as they dominate and/or educate.
  12. May 8, 2014
    10
    Honestly this game has got me addicted, and i'm not usually a player of card games. But everything from the art style to the simplicity of the mechanics is brilliant. Of course the mechanics are simple on the surface but it will take a good amount of time invested to get good at the game.

    The game is probably a 9.5 for me but rounding to a 10 because judging from a lot of these comments
    Honestly this game has got me addicted, and i'm not usually a player of card games. But everything from the art style to the simplicity of the mechanics is brilliant. Of course the mechanics are simple on the surface but it will take a good amount of time invested to get good at the game.

    The game is probably a 9.5 for me but rounding to a 10 because judging from a lot of these comments people just don't know how to play. It is most definitely possible to build a good deck and have fun and climb the ranks without buying loads of packs.
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  13. Oct 1, 2015
    10
    This is the best game on Ipad. I´ve been playing for more than a year, everyday. I play on PC and Ipad, and it´s perfect for ipad. It is one of best games ever, i garante. Peoplo who say: "This is a pay to win game, blá, blá, blá" doesn´t know how to play.
  14. Apr 23, 2014
    9
    Here's a thoughtful question: Why do we play games? Hopefully your answer was "because they're fun!". And honestly, deep down, that is truly the essence of gaming. Haters be all, "THIS GAME SUX CAUSE YOU HAVE TO PAY MONEY TO WIN." The simple counter to that is no, no you don't. Can you pay money to gratify your insatiable insecurities of winning right away? Yeah, it's possible. But thatHere's a thoughtful question: Why do we play games? Hopefully your answer was "because they're fun!". And honestly, deep down, that is truly the essence of gaming. Haters be all, "THIS GAME SUX CAUSE YOU HAVE TO PAY MONEY TO WIN." The simple counter to that is no, no you don't. Can you pay money to gratify your insatiable insecurities of winning right away? Yeah, it's possible. But that makes you a pathetic person who desperately needs more than this game in his or her life. With that thought, I can't think of a better way to introduce a positively fun and engaging game than Hearthstone.

    The layout, sound, and visuals right off the bat immerse you into this world of electronic card gaming. The Innkeeper tutors you through several practice sessions, where you'll learn the basics. He'll helpfully give you hints along your Hearthstone journey, never really leaving you hanging. As you practice against the CPU, or play against online strangers or friends, you'll unlock loads of various cards by leveling up your character (and characters can also be unlocked when you beat them). The arena for battling is designed superbly, complete with flashy graphics and sounds, making you feel either satisfied after destroying a minion, or devastated for witnessing your own minion's casualty. It captures both feelings well.

    If I can pinpoint an exceptional feature, it would be the sound. It's subtle excellence and quirkiness throughout the game capture the atmosphere Blizzard has created within the WoW universe perfectly. I've just started picking up on the silly one liners and sayings from various minions, and they're hilarious!

    Attention to detail not only includes sound, but every other aspect of this game (and sound is a big one). Stylized graphics and staunch animations include many details most people overlook, but still have that subtle added effect to make the game so darn fun to play.

    Downside? Not as many modes as you'd think. Practice, ranked or casual play, and the arena make up the game modes. Super fun, but still... Something a little more would've been nice. Added fun and depth include the deck and card creator, which you could spend literally hours pouring over to perfect the most epic deck.

    This game is free, fun, and deep without spending a dime. Yeah, there's micro-transactions for the instant gratifiers. But you seriously don't need that to have fun and win, as long as you work at it. And isn't that where the fun truly lies anyway?
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  15. Jun 26, 2014
    9
    This is probably the best free game I ever played. But then I spent some money on it, and now I think that the more you play the more you'll inevitably spend. And that is right, you could easily enjoy it for 20/30 hours without spending nay money (while you unlock the basic stuff) or you can try to be the best player and finish your money trying to get some particular cards. It's up toThis is probably the best free game I ever played. But then I spent some money on it, and now I think that the more you play the more you'll inevitably spend. And that is right, you could easily enjoy it for 20/30 hours without spending nay money (while you unlock the basic stuff) or you can try to be the best player and finish your money trying to get some particular cards. It's up to you, but this is really a great game while it last. Expand
  16. Apr 23, 2014
    10
    Hearthstone is a damn good game.
    The tutorial is excellent, the game is very well polished, and strategy is of course is the only way to win a game.
    Yes, it's a free-to-play, so of course, in-app purchases are there, but they aren't a big deal. You can only buy card-packs, and enter the Arena mode (You can use in-game money too, which is FREE), which is completely unnecessary, since
    Hearthstone is a damn good game.
    The tutorial is excellent, the game is very well polished, and strategy is of course is the only way to win a game.

    Yes, it's a free-to-play, so of course, in-app purchases are there, but they aren't a big deal.
    You can only buy card-packs, and enter the Arena mode (You can use in-game money too, which is FREE), which is completely unnecessary, since it's not so difficult to earn in-game money.

    Overall, it's a fantastic game. Highly addictive, well balanced, not affected by in-app purchases, and is completely free!
    Download this game now, and every second you won't, is a second you'll miss out.
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  17. Jun 10, 2014
    9
    At times it does feel created to extract money from people, would like to see more play modes available. If it was less grindy and easier to get into without spending money people would be flocking to this game because it's pretty awesome for what it is; Solid Virtual Card Game.

    People claim that t's a RNG, and i'd say way less so compared to other card games. You only have 30 card
    At times it does feel created to extract money from people, would like to see more play modes available. If it was less grindy and easier to get into without spending money people would be flocking to this game because it's pretty awesome for what it is; Solid Virtual Card Game.

    People claim that t's a RNG, and i'd say way less so compared to other card games. You only have 30 card decks vs 40-60+ of other games. Also, no mana cards to block you up. First draw you get to choose which cards to keep, and replace the ones you don't.

    I'm not a Warcraft fan, but dammit this game makes the CCG player in me happy.
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  18. Apr 28, 2014
    10
    The game is extremely polished and addictive. Between its friendly design and its flexible approach to a free-to-play economy, Hearthstone has pulled me into a genre that I didn't care about in the past, but also managed to keep me interested longer than any games I've played during the past years.
  19. May 30, 2014
    9
    Hearthstone is a beautiful, gripping collectible card game that challenges you to think and expand your knowledge as you experience the game. The common notion among low-scoring reviewers of the game believe it is pay-to-win. You can buy packs of cards and people with better cards would typically do better.

    However, the game isn't pay to win; most of you victories are based on your
    Hearthstone is a beautiful, gripping collectible card game that challenges you to think and expand your knowledge as you experience the game. The common notion among low-scoring reviewers of the game believe it is pay-to-win. You can buy packs of cards and people with better cards would typically do better.

    However, the game isn't pay to win; most of you victories are based on your personal skill in the game. People with better cards do better because they've been playing longer.

    Arena, which is a random deck drafting game mode, eliminates the disparity between those with good cards and those who don't have many cards. I wouldn't suggest for new players to play Arena, but it does give all players an equal playing field.

    If you've got at least some interest in the collectible card game genre, you should definitely pick up this game. Plus, the iOS version makes it so easy to pick up and play.
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  20. May 30, 2014
    8
    Not the perfect Free to play but it defiantly isn't pay to win. Blizzards art style is perfect and the vibrant color scheme and sound effects really make the game feel alive.
  21. Jun 7, 2014
    10
    I love this card game. the tutorial is teach you, how to play the game.
    Please note that the game is free!

    if you play a lot of Hearthstone immediately, we will see no pay to win game, but we were not trained in.
  22. Jun 29, 2014
    9
    Hearthstone for iOS is just like it's PC version. The touchscreen makes the gameplay more natural than playing on the PC. Contrary to the very popular pay-to-win belief, it is like all other Blizzard games, everything can be achieved by grinding and you do not have to spend a cent if you are willing to commit time.
  23. Oct 6, 2014
    9
    This game is the evolution of all CCGs. Heavily influenced by magic, the game has numerous 'mechanics', but does a great job of not making the game overly complicated. Several modes (vs AI, Arena, ranked, Adventure, etc) impart replayability, and allow you change things up if you get bored.

    This game is bolstered by a rapidly-expanding e-sports scene, and is now in the top-5
    This game is the evolution of all CCGs. Heavily influenced by magic, the game has numerous 'mechanics', but does a great job of not making the game overly complicated. Several modes (vs AI, Arena, ranked, Adventure, etc) impart replayability, and allow you change things up if you get bored.

    This game is bolstered by a rapidly-expanding e-sports scene, and is now in the top-5 most-watched esports games (per Twitch).

    Overall: great game, very addictive, and has something for pretty much everyone. The only reason I don't give it 10/10 is that the iOS version seems to have small gameplay issues (which aren't present in the PC version).

    Quick note on amateurs who say this game is RNG-based: Note that the same thing's been said about poker for years, when it's been scientifically proven that skill provides wins, not RNG. Don't equate your lack of skill to a broken game...
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  24. Oct 22, 2014
    8
    Game does a great job in condensing the TCG experience onto tablet.
    Wish deck building was easier though, I like to spread out my cards to compare them at a glance but I know that's difficult with the device.
  25. Feb 17, 2015
    10
    First off, let me start by saying I love this game. I play enough each night to at least win the daily challenges. It is unfortunate people are calling this game a pay-to-win. I'd like to comment specifically to that since that is what most of the negative reviews call out:

    1. You do not need to buy anything to win matches. I had won plenty of matches without any purchased packs. I also
    First off, let me start by saying I love this game. I play enough each night to at least win the daily challenges. It is unfortunate people are calling this game a pay-to-win. I'd like to comment specifically to that since that is what most of the negative reviews call out:

    1. You do not need to buy anything to win matches. I had won plenty of matches without any purchased packs. I also have a 3:1 win/loss ratio with a deck that includes only one legendary card that I crafted. Often, I am able to defeat decks with 5,6, and even 7 legendary cards because I practiced a ton in order to get this deck just right and try to play the deck as smart as possible. That said, there will always be decks that are better or receive a better draw.

    2. Many people may have better decks simply from playing longer. I earn an average of one free pack every two days. If a person has played a long time and acheived that many free packs, they should be rewarded for their longevity, and thus have better cards/decks.

    3. Players who complain its pay to win must expect to seek legendary status without any work or effort. I typically end each season at or around levels 12 and 13. Over time, my level has improved as I continue to build my card collection. I find it fun to see how far I can make it with what cards I do have.

    4. People want to play this game for free? Yes, it's free to play, but if you spend time playing this, why not throw a little cash at the developers? I spend $60 on a triple A title for my Xbox One that I might play for 12 hours. I've logged at least 60 hours on hearthstone over the months and have spent less than $40. Seems like a good value for time spent (I spend more than that taking my wife to a two hour movie).

    5. The end goal should not be perfection. It should be improving. As one review said, this game is easy to learn but difficult to master. And right there is the crux of it of why people are frustrated. They don't want to take the time to improve. Or perhaps they are not smart enough to improve.

    if you really enjoy the game, then read blogs, try out different deck combinations, practice and just have fun. If it's not for you, then don't complain it's pay to win. Just don't play. You can play this game without spending a dime, but as I've mentioned, I have no problem buying the occassional $1.99 pack (I spend 3x that to rent digital movies that I don't even own).

    For me, this game is awesome. It's a blast to see what kind of decks other players have put together, how different cards interact with other cards, and the constant challenges that comes with playing with people from all over. Good graphics, good sound effects, lots of depth, love the ability to craft cards from cards I don't need and all with fast-paced game play.

    My only criticism- and it's extremely minor- I wish we could rank seperately with the different classes. I've invested all of my free gold and crafting building the best mage deck I can. Thus have neglected the other classes a little bit. Would be fun to try and rank with those decks but not at the expense of losing the rank my mage deck has earned. That is literally my only complaint.

    I am utterly addicted to this game and plan to keep playing for a long time. I hope expansion packs keep coming!
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  26. Dec 9, 2014
    10
    AMAZING game which is 100% NOT pay to win. Iv never played a "card" game before and now im fully addicted, the community seems grea. I have only played on ipad and it works great. Only problem is its hard to put down.
  27. Jun 20, 2015
    10
    100% free UNLESS you really want to be "legend" and play on the ladder. For that you'll need good cards and they can be bought for $$$ or in-game gold. Basically if you're good enough you'll earn enough gold by playing Arena to get all the cards you need.

    For a free to play game there are 100's of hours of fun until you'll really need to "pay to win". And after 100 hours you can't
    100% free UNLESS you really want to be "legend" and play on the ladder. For that you'll need good cards and they can be bought for $$$ or in-game gold. Basically if you're good enough you'll earn enough gold by playing Arena to get all the cards you need.

    For a free to play game there are 100's of hours of fun until you'll really need to "pay to win". And after 100 hours you can't really complain about having to spend a few bucks.
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  28. Nel
    May 2, 2017
    9
    One of the best games to date on an IOS device. The game is expensive to play if you want to keep up with the latest expansions, but it is also extremely fun to play. It never feels necessary to pay, but if you want to play "seriously" it will be a requirement.
  29. Mar 10, 2016
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Hearthstone is a great strategy card game. This game does require a slow long grind to become a good player. Expect to play every day on casual mode for 3-4 months before you can become a player that can ascend the ranked portion of the game.

    This game is not pay to win - if you can be patient and you do not need to be the best at the game within a few weeks. If you cannot wait 4 months and have discipline to log in everyday and collect daily quests and need to be the best in 2 weeks -2 months of playing the game then yes this game is play to win game for you.

    You need to approach this game like working out at a gym. Playing once a week and spending 8 hours on a Saturday will not get you to being a better player. I first did not understand this about Hearthstone. Here is how I suggest to play the game.

    1. Play the game on computer first and create decks for each character.
    2. Use the decks you created on computer; play the game everyday on a phone or tablet (on the way to school or work, at lunch or a break, etc.). When doing so play Casual and achieve the daily quest.
    3. Edit your decks after collecting about 20 new cards.
    4. Race to unlock Tavern Brawl (as each week completing a Tavern Brawl will give you a new pack)
    5. Repeat steps 1-4 for about 2 months.
    6. Search online for one deck (of your favorite character) that will work in Ranked mode.
    7. Using dust create the common and rare cards needed for the deck. Think of reasonable substitutes for the cards your missing (don’t replace a 1 cost card with a 5 cost card).
    8. Expect that playing Ranked mode is a game like chess (if you don’t like chess stop playing now) and you need to think two moves ahead, good trade for pieces on the board, excellent use of resources during turns.
    9. Get to minimum level 20 every month to get a monthly reward.
    10. Keep playing ranked mode, because you learn the most against good players.
    11. Repeat all above steps for 4-5 months to reach Rank 17-16 based on your skill level.

    Note: There are some overpowered cards in the game. Blizzard needs to work out some of the mechanics, but I think that they couldn't do it well until the game reached this many cards. Be patient this should be corrected with the next expansion. That's why I gave it a 9/10 rather than a 10/10.

    If my review does not sound interesting to you, then Hearthstone is not a game for you. If it does, good luck and may we meet online some day.
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  30. Apr 28, 2016
    8
    The game is pretty good, it requires good cards and good decks to against other players with their own decks. But the game is mostly based on luck and RNG but besides, i don't care about it, i still think its a fun game.

    P.S : FaceHunters And BounceRouges Is Pretty Stupid
  31. Jan 2, 2018
    8
    Amazing game that's generally too expensive if you want any chance at competing and having decent decks.
  32. Jun 5, 2018
    8
    A lot of reviews say this is a pay-to-win game but really it's up to you what 'winning' is - if you want to reach the Legend rank every month then yeah you'll maybe need to buy the expansion packs when they come out, but overall the solo campaigns alone are worth getting this game for, and the ranking system means that 9 times out of 10 you're up against players of equal skill and deckA lot of reviews say this is a pay-to-win game but really it's up to you what 'winning' is - if you want to reach the Legend rank every month then yeah you'll maybe need to buy the expansion packs when they come out, but overall the solo campaigns alone are worth getting this game for, and the ranking system means that 9 times out of 10 you're up against players of equal skill and deck variety as you. Highly addictive, well designed and does a great job of separating the paying players from the freebies. Expand
  33. Sep 3, 2018
    10
    this game is so awesome, you should totally get it. It gets so awesome. peace
  34. Jan 21, 2019
    10
    I think it is incrdible game, it was a 10/10 on 2014 and it is a 20/10 in 2019.
    SIngle player is amazing, all the new adventures in rogue like style are very challenging and interesting.
    Multiplayer is huge, plenty of different modes from the casual player to the pro. Game itself is solid: interface, graphics, music, etc. It is not a pay to win game at all. If you want to play for
    I think it is incrdible game, it was a 10/10 on 2014 and it is a 20/10 in 2019.
    SIngle player is amazing, all the new adventures in rogue like style are very challenging and interesting.
    Multiplayer is huge, plenty of different modes from the casual player to the pro.
    Game itself is solid: interface, graphics, music, etc.

    It is not a pay to win game at all. If you want to play for pro competitions you may need top cards, but for 95% of people progression is good enough. I see many other talking about pay to win, if you only get fun if you get to top 1 it may be pay to win, otherwise it is plenty of fun for you.

    If I woul chose only one game in iOS forever it would be no doubt Heartshtone.
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  35. Nov 8, 2019
    9
    I know much has been made about this game in the recent months however, I will be attempting to review the game in its current state while trying to remain as apolitical as possible. First as a card game, it is quite accessible. The complexities of the game are relatively simple compared to other card games. Second, by itself there are many things that could be done in order to make theI know much has been made about this game in the recent months however, I will be attempting to review the game in its current state while trying to remain as apolitical as possible. First as a card game, it is quite accessible. The complexities of the game are relatively simple compared to other card games. Second, by itself there are many things that could be done in order to make the game more enjoyable. The biggest thing that can be done is provide players a better way in which they can obtain more card pack. This is one of the biggest things that makes people not want to get involved and form my understanding, considering I only started playing February of this year, opportunities have been decreasing. This is a game that will require quite a bit of investment to get into but once you get yourself situated there is quite of bit of fun to be had. I think this particular update has breathed new life into the game because more classes/decks are viable and so the game seems to be in a balanced state. This is unlikely to stay the case considering that a patch is eventually inevitable. That being said, if you manage to play the game while it is in a state like this, I would highly recommend getting involved and enjoying your time with it. It like many other games benefit from playing with friends as it makes certain questing easier and sometimes mutually beneficial. On a technical side, the game seems pretty optimized to mobile and I have only encountered a few hiccups over the half a year I have been playing the game. Overall, I would highly recommend this game for those that like card games but as looking for one that is not as overly complex as games such as MTG. Expand
  36. Mar 4, 2016
    8
    Free to play model is a little grindy, but being competitive and free to play is completely possible. Even if you were to spend money, the game is certainly a much cheaper investment than Magic the Gathering, for example.
  37. Jun 28, 2020
    8
    super fun to play but ruined by meta scene, beautiful and juicy graphics and sounds
  38. Aug 1, 2021
    9
    This game is a lot of fun. Besides not being clear on how to surpass Aprenticenship and being 45% luck-based, the game is just entertaining. The cards are creative. The gameplay is genius, the music the settings, the board, the art are all beautiful. Very well made... And free!
Metascore
93

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. May 1, 2014
    80
    In the meantime, Hearthstone is definitely worth the entrance free of zero moneys. Now, your time investment may grow to be worth much more than that amount, as is the case with many games under the Blizzard banner. That part, once again, they definitely have gotten right.
  2. Apr 30, 2014
    100
    Blizzard has once again demonstrated their mastery of video games as a combination of competitive play and captivating artwork.
  3. Apr 29, 2014
    90
    Hearthstone is one of the most intriguing TCD of the past years, and this iPad version clearly stands as an amazing porting.