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Fantasy sports have captivated fans by allowing them to draft their favorite players and build teams that compete for glory each season. Now, Fantasy Critic extends this thrilling concept into the realm of video games. In this innovative format, participants assume the role of publishers, selecting upcoming game releases expected to earn the highest praise from critics. Players accumulate points based on the Top Critic Average listed on OpenCritic, a well-known aggregator for game reviews. With the calendar year serving as the competition timeline, forming a league for the upcoming season presents an enticing opportunity.
Starting a league requires gathering friends who share a passion for gaming. Leagues can consist of anywhere from 2 to 20 players, but it is recommended to have between 4 to 10 members for optimal enjoyment. This size allows participants to draft a mix of blockbuster titles and indie gems, enhancing the strategic depth of the game. Fantasy Critic provides guidelines on the number of games each player can publish based on the league’s total size. Typically, leagues allow for a roster of about 10 games, which can include new standalone releases while leaving the eligibility of remakes, remasters, expansions, and early access titles open to discussion within the league.
The drafting process and gameplay mechanics
Once the rules of the league are set, the next step is the exhilarating draft phase. The drafting process for the upcoming season kicks off on December 11, following The Game Awards. Each participant must initially select half of their total roster, with the remaining games acquired through weekly auctions. Every player starts with a budget of $100, making financial strategy a key component as they decide how much to invest in newly announced titles throughout the year.
A unique aspect of Fantasy Critic is the inability to drop games once they receive their review scores. This adds a layer of tension as players must carefully consider whether to publish a title early in the year or wait for games without fixed release dates that might score better. During the drafting process, games are ranked based on their Hype Factor, which reflects their popularity through drafting and bidding activity. Weekly updates provide insights into game trends, allowing players to monitor which titles are frequently added or removed from rosters, as well as which games may be risky choices.
Strategic elements and counter picks
Strategic gameplay is further enhanced by the introduction of counter picks. Most leagues require participants to select at least one counter pick immediately following the draft, with some leagues permitting additional counter picks midway through the season. A counter pick, if successful, can lock another player into a poorly performing game. However, the counter picker faces their own risks: they score points if the chosen game receives less than a 70 rating, but lose points if the game exceeds that score. Unreleased titles yield no points for either player, giving an edge to the counter picker. For instance, those who counter picked “Hollow Knight: Silksong” last season faced significant losses, while countering “Grand Theft Auto VI” dramatically impacted another player’s results. Clearly, counter picks can significantly alter the dynamics of a league.
Staying engaged with the gaming community
Participating in Fantasy Critic encourages gamers to stay tuned to numerous video game reveal events throughout the year. Significant showcases, such as The Game Awards and Summer Game Fest, have become essential viewing for players. Additionally, publisher-specific events like Nintendo Directs, PlayStation State of Plays, and Xbox Developer Directs provide further opportunities to discover potential hidden gems. Players who can identify lesser-known critical successes, such as “Blue Prince” or “Monster Train 2,” are likely to gain an advantage over their competitors.
For those who may find a full year of competition daunting or prefer a more spontaneous format, Fantasy Critic features a sitewide mode called Critics Royale. In this mode, each publisher can acquire as many games as their budget allows, with prices reflecting each game’s popularity. Here, the focus is on value, as major releases often come at a significantly higher cost than more obscure titles. This mode is perfect for gamers who enjoy uncovering indie treasures.
Best of all, Fantasy Critic is completely free to play, providing an engaging way for players to immerse themselves in the gaming community while having fun.