It is an adventure game divided into 10 chapters that combines exploration on a map that gradually opens up and card battles. The unique element with the cards is that you have to "connect" them to each other to achieve a result, so you need to be careful with your choices and tactics (in what order you will play cards) as well as strategy (which cards and abilities you will include so they fit well when you fight).

The story is excellent in a dark world. There is a free optional app for narration and reading the story, very convenient so you don't have to flip through the huge storybook. Well-written, with characters (both player characters and those you encounter) that capture your interest. The combat has good depth and offers many options for building each character with significant differences between them.

The miniatures are decent, but nothing special. You will see your characters and opponents better on their cards, though.

The instructions are average to good. The tutorial is very good but only for 1 person, and there is an uncertain transition from the tutorial to the full game (better to read the rulebook thoroughly). It would be good to have a guide to organize the cards, but once you figure it out, the box is very functional and fits everything perfectly with small additions (I added 1-2 small bowls for the dice). I don't think it needs deluxe components; the dice are more functional.

I see two reasons why someone might avoid it:

- They get bored with reading and don't want the story part. Objectively, it is half the game, and it is the part that makes it unique. There are plenty of games with card battles. Tainted Grail primarily offers a dive into a bizarre mythical Britain.

- If they have a large group. Personally, I don't think the game "pulls" with more than two people. The story doesn't change significantly (you have less time, but you have a high chance of having the person with the right characteristic to progress faster). It does become more frequent that "your" decisions may not be made, but I don't rate it negatively. The problem is that the card system struggles. The order goes roughly like clockwork, where one player plays, then the opponent's card (automatically), then the second player, then the opponent again. So, with two players, you play "one-by-one," and with four, you play "one-three." Even worse, it is not always easy to prepare your turn in advance, as the options you have depend on how the immediately previous player played. Even more frustrating if in a battle with 4 people the heroes win in 3 rounds where the last player will just be staring at the ceiling for the entire duration.