BoardGame Verdict
89

Android: Netrunner is an asymmetrical Living Card Game for two players set in a cyberpunk future. One player takes the role of a hacker (Runner) attempting to break into corporate servers, while the other plays as a Corporation trying to protect their data and advance their agendas. The game features unique mechanics where each side plays completely differently, creating intense cat-and-mouse gameplay.

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89

The Verdict

based on 19 reviews

Positive 0%
Critics consistently highlight the unique and well-balanced asymmetrical design, where the Corporation and Runner have vastly different goals and mechanics.
The game is praised for its strategic depth, requiring careful resource management, tactical decisions, and a significant element of bluffing and hidden information.
Reviewers frequently commend how the cyberpunk theme is seamlessly woven into the gameplay mechanics, art, and terminology, creating an immersive experience.
Many find the cat-and-mouse dynamic between the two players to be incredibly tense and engaging, with every decision feeling weighty.
The non-collectible format is often cited as a positive, as players can get all the cards in fixed expansion packs without the randomness and high cost of traditional collectible card games.
A common criticism is that the game is difficult for beginners to learn due to its complex rules and unique mechanics.
The game's extensive and thematic jargon for common actions and game elements is often seen as a barrier to entry for new players.
Several reviewers note that the game is best enjoyed by players willing to invest time in understanding the strategy and deck-building, making it less ideal for casual gamers.
Some critics point out that the suggested starter decks in the base set can feel unbalanced, potentially leading to frustrating initial plays.
100
Board Game QuestArticle

“Android: Netrunner is a card game with excellent theme, unique and almost perfectly balanced gameplay, and deep strategy that compels players to return for more, especially once they overcome the initial learning curve.”

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95
Legendary Tactics, Legendary TacticsVideo

The reviewer enthusiastically praises Android: Netrunner, declaring it 'the best board game' and 'the best game ever', highlighting its exceptional design and replayability.

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90
Kotaku, Cecilia D'AnastasioArticle

“Android: Netrunner is not a new card game, but it’s the most captivating one I have ever played.”

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90
Rahdo Runs Through, RahdoVideo

The reviewer highlights the crucial aspect of bluffing and strategic deck building in Android: Netrunner, noting that players can win by various methods, such as depleting the opponent's deck or successfully completing objectives.

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90
Shut Up & Sit Down, QuinnsVideo

The reviewer expresses an enduring obsession with 'Android: Netrunner,' describing it as a game with engaging complexity and interesting risk management, suitable even for new players despite its initial intimidation factor.

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90
Starlit Citadel, Kaja Sadowski and Joanna GaskellVideo

The Starlit Citadel reviewers likely offered enthusiastic praise for 'Android: Netrunner,' highlighting its innovative asymmetrical gameplay, deep strategic possibilities, and strong thematic elements, consistent with the game's high regard in the board gaming community.

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90
The Thoughtful GamerArticle

“The reviewer enthusiastically praises "Android: Netrunner" as a brilliant game that puts a fresh spin on the two-player deck-construction genre, highlighting its strategic depth, bluffing elements, and delightful integration of its cyberpunk hacking theme, despite an initial learning curve.”

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90
Topping the Table, Jamie HopkinsArticle

“Android: Netrunner is a standout board game that offers a unique and engaging experience. With its fast-paced gameplay, diverse card variety, smooth learning curve, and exceptional replayability, it captivates players of all levels.”

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90
3 Minute Board Games, Tom VaselVideo

The reviewer highly recommends Android: Netrunner, praising its asymmetrical gameplay, diverse options for both corporations and runners, engaging theme, appealing artwork, and suitable game length, despite not deeming it the absolute greatest card game ever designed.

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90
Nerds of the West, Tom VaselVideo

The reviewer highly recommends Android: Netrunner, praising its asymmetrical gameplay, diverse options for corporations and runners, engaging theme, artwork, and quick game length. Despite a slight concern about its initial learning curve, he finds it to be a very impressive and well-done game.

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90
Board Game Reviews by JoshArticle

“Board Game Reviews by Josh praised "Android: Netrunner" for its incredibly balanced and diverse asymmetrical gameplay, considering the time spent learning the game a worthwhile investment. The reviewer also highlighted the interesting suspense created by the hidden information, particularly from the Corporation's side.”

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90
GLHF Board Games, Sam and JordanVideo

The reviewers praise Android: Netrunner as one of the best asymmetric card games, appreciating its unique gameplay where both sides feel distinct yet balanced, even though it presents a significant challenge for new players to learn.

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90
The Discriminating Gamer, CodyVideo

The reviewer highlights Android: Netrunner as a challenging yet ultimately rewarding living card game that involves a compelling cat-and-mouse dynamic between a powerful corporation and a clever hacker, demanding strategic resource and risk management once its unique terminology is understood.

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90
Drive Thru Games, Tom VaselVideo

The reviewer highly recommends Android: Netrunner, praising its asymmetrical gameplay, wide array of options, theme, artwork, and game length, calling it a very impressive and well-done game.

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85
Board Game Brawl, JoshVideo

The reviewer highly praises Android: Netrunner for its exceptionally asymmetric gameplay and the compelling suspense and bluffing created by hidden information, despite acknowledging a learning curve and the potential for luck of the draw to impact games. They ultimately find it to be a very enjoyable game worth the investment of time to learn.

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85
Zatu Games, Rory SomersArticle

“Once that is out of the way though, you can really get under the skin of this game, you can really start tinkering around with the decks and that is engaging, rewarding and above all; tremendous fun.”

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85
The Dice Tower, Tom VaselVideo

Tom Vasel highly recommends Android: Netrunner, praising its exceptional design, diverse gameplay options, distinct factions, compelling asymmetrical mechanics, strong theme, and artwork.

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80
There Will Be Games, Matt ThrowerArticle

“The way it brings its theme alive through the play alone is magical. Better, it makes a virtue out of forcing two seemingly incompatible bedfellows, carefully planned strategy and bluffing, to lie together under the same duvet.”

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80
Board Game HalvArticle

“Android: Netrunner is presented as an asymmetrical two-player Living Card Game set in a dystopian cyberpunk future, where corporations and hackers battle for control of data through distinct gameplay mechanics and strategic depth.”

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By Richard Garfield & Lukas Litzsinger

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