Recs.
Updated
Specs
Pros
Pro Multi-platform
Available on mobile and on PC. This makes a great commute companion (provided you have internet) as well as a game that is easily picked up where you last left off no matter the device being used at the time.
Pro Elegant simplicity of rules that makes it easy to pick up while still offering lots of depth
To start, all you need to know is that Hearthstone is a two player card game where the goal is to get the opponents health down to zero. Players take turns to play cards that represent things like casting spells and putting minions on the board. All cards are different from one another, but you don't have to memorize them to play the game as the function of each card and its cost is described on the card itself. Most of the game's mechanics such as card draws, mana distribution and action order are automated. You just have to focus on playing the cards in your hand in the best order possible. That's it.
While the mechanics are straightforward they allow for wildly different situations to be created on the board. And the more you know about the game the more ways you'll find of creating situations that benefit you. Add to that an ever expanding list of cards and the ability to customize your deck and you can have stuff to delve into for ages.
Pro High skill cap
You can play for ages and still improve your characters, get their golden versions and gold cards.
Pro Near-perfect balance between going first or second
There's no significant first-turn or second-turn advantage in Hearthstone. The player going second gets an extra card from his deck as well as "The Coin", a card that gives one extra mana crystal for one turn. This subverts the advantage that would be gained otherwise by the player going first.
Pro Free to play that doesn't exploit
Yes it's free to play, but it's designed to easily continue to play and have fun without having to feel like you HAVE to pay. At the same time, after playing a while you'll probably want to.
Cons
Con Poor port
Plays much better on PC. Sluggish and crashes often on mobile, sometimes connections can be difficult to make as well.
Recommendations
Comments
Flagged Pros + Cons
Pro Familiar characters from Warcraft 3 and World of Warcraft
The characters used in Hearthstone are all from the lore of the Warcraft series, making for a familiar universe for fans of the series.
Pro Brawl events that don't require you to follow "the meta"
You can take advantage of weekly brawl events that give you a certain set of cards (so no need to pay to stay competitive). It keeps the game fresh, fun and fairly "casual".
Pro Active community
It has a lot of players due to Blizzard's fanbase which means finding multiplayer matches is not all that difficult.