When you’re into a popular battle card game like Yu-Gi-Oh, there’s really no substitute for the thrills of putting together a primo deck, dealing a head-to-head match with a worthy opponent, and then watching said adversary break into a cold sweat as you play your game-breaking card. Having said that, Yu-Gi-Oh! The Duelists of the Roses is a fine way to stay in shape in between real-life monster wrangling matches. All the basic elements of the game are in tact. You can align yourself with either the White Rose or the Red Rose factions in order to play duels and build up the power of your deck over time. The painstaking onscreen gameplay will feel excruciatingly pokey to non-believers, but Yu-Gi-Oh stalwarts should feel right at home. The controls are simple and easy to master, which properly places the focus of the game on the board strategy. The graphics and sounds hold up their end, too. Fans should appreciate the on-target representations of their favorite creatures, and they’ll get a major rush from all the slick fighting animations. The sounds essentially rely on a hip, jazz-fusion soundtrack. It sounds very cool but feels out of step for the young Yu-Gi-Oh fanbase. The Duelists of the Roses is probably best appreciated by newcomers to the Yu-Gi-Oh game who want to learn how to play. Vets will get a good workout from the A.I. player, and at least there are three unique cards bundled with the game. As a decent Yu-Gi-Oh workout, The Duelists of the Roses comes out smelling like a rose.
