These cards are waxy and feel like they have a coating on them. Compared to the two games I play, One Piece and English Pokemon, the cards feel low quality and almost fake. They aren't smooth like pokemon cards, even vintage ones, but aren't as sturdy as OP cards. Compared to cards sets I collect, Weiss and JP Pokemon, they feel even worse. Weiss cards are thick, sturdy, and have far more holo/foil varieties. JP pokemon are thinner and slick, but don't have the waxy coating. Both have texture on a lot of their high rarity cards, as well as additional foil effects. VCard has none of this. It's foil/holographic is bare bones, even compared to vintage Pokemon, lacking any texture or patterning. The art on most of the cards of VTubers themselves is nice, but the rest of the card styling lets down this art.
The best cards are the art promos. Lacking the 'mechanics' of the 'game' - Which I will point out that Weiss has too, but doesn't detract from the visuals of the card - And featuring just the art itself and a stamped signature, these are the only indicator of anything for collecting. I will admit to not having tried to play the game, but the lack of broad appeal alone makes it much harder to even think about actually doing so with. In addition, the lack of supply stunts any chance of growth as a 'game'. This product is clearly for people who enjoy collecting and like VTubers - Which is fine. However the execution in this manner is downright terrible. There's nothing special about these cards. They lack personality or interest. Beyond the art of VTubers, the art is bland and dull. The card quality is bad. There are no effects or features to holos. From my understanding, having bought a case of Unlimited means there is also simply nothing special to be excited about finding.
Then, of course, there is the shipping issue. Getting my cards AFTER the release of set 2, all because of other items on my order with no communication. It feels like if certain items were going to have an issue in production, you could just split the order and ship what was done. Instead, the appeal of the set and any potential excitement was left to rot for months without any contact. Much like Fallout 76's special edition, the compensation was also more insulting than simply not offering anything. A single pack of the next set. I didn't really want it, and the last minute thought to offer compensation shows. Perhaps making or updating systems for the next time major VTuber drama impacts production would be a better use?
I don't normally collect them, but I recently got some Football cards since football season (American, just for clarification) is starting soon. Serialized cards, inserts, alternate styles, and more were everywhere. Reasons to want to open the next pack - To see if I would get a Rookie autograph or a memorabilia card. I could expect something cool without knowing what it would be. What's more, the cards aren't burdened with mechanics. The photos of the players and the design is allowed to be seen in its intended visual glory because everything else is on the back. To me, this is what VCard should be - A collectors item aimed towards amazing art of favorite VTubers, up and coming talent, and more. Celebrate the VTubers and artists instead of shoving a game on top because 'that's what Weiss and Pokemon do'.
This set sucks. At least another indie TCG, Altered, had interesting ideas with 'unique' cards that were altered combinations of stats/colors not found elsewhere - And that could be found as variants for any card. But even that game lacked interest and was hamstrung by requiring in-person play. This could have been an interesting, limited run collector facing set. Instead it's a terrible game with horrible supply issues and downright dull design. Bad game quality, bad physical card quality, bad collectability, bad play access. This feels like a quarter-hearted attempt at cashing in on the money sloshing around in trading cards.
This could have been more. It could have been exciting. That chance is slowly eroding away because of a clear lack of understanding - Or worse, laziness - Of what makes cards successful.
