《皇冠之心》（HEART of CROWN）是以繼承帝國王位為核心題材的策略型卡牌遊戲，由日本獨立團隊illuCalab改編自FLIPFLOPs 的同名實體桌上遊戲，並由PLAYISM發行。於2025年12月18日正式推出Steam與Nintendo Switch版本，支援跨平台連線對戰，已於東京電玩展亮相，吸引許多卡牌遊戲愛好者與桌遊迷的關注。

故事發生在一個由劍與魔法統治的奇幻大陸。經歷漫長戰亂後，一位偉大的皇帝終於統一天下，建立起強盛的帝國。然而，就在和平即將穩固的時刻，皇帝卻突然因病駕崩，未能指定繼承人。帝國瞬間陷入權力真空的混亂之中，王位的爭奪戰一觸即發。先帝雖無皇子，但留下兩名直系公主與五名有血緣或貴族背景的潛在繼承人，總共七位公主皆擁有登上王座的資格。作為帝國貴族之一的玩家，必須選擇一位欲擁立的公主，運籌帷幄，拉攏權貴、籌集資金，協助她奪得王位，確保帝國不再陷入戰火。

玩法以「牌組建構」為核心。需透過回合制方式操作，每個回合從自身領地獲取資金，利用金錢購買新的「領地卡」與「行動卡」。這些卡牌能提供各種戰略優勢，例如增加收入、影響他人策略、或觸發特殊事件。當玩家的經濟與戰力達到一定程度後，即可選擇「擁立公主」。每位公主都擁有獨特的技能與效果，有些能提高收入效率，有些則能干擾對手或提升繼承值。

擁立公主之後，進入第二階段——權力角逐。玩家必須持續強化牌組、籌集繼承點數，透過吸納「議員」、「公爵」等權貴來提升勢力。當繼承值累積至20點時，便能舉行「加冕儀式」，正式奪下王位，成為新皇帝。整體玩法節奏明快，策略性極高，既需要經濟規劃，也講求時機掌握。

支援最多四人同時對戰，可選擇自由對戰模式或排名賽，也能進行跨平台對戰，無論是在Steam或Switch上的玩家皆可共同遊玩。此外，遊戲也內建單人劇情模式，可在故事驅動的劇情中體驗各位公主的個性與野心，劇情配音由豪華聲優陣容演出，讓整體代入感大幅提升。

在內容方面，數位版除完整收錄實體遊戲的「基礎卡組」外，還追加兩大擴充內容——「極東邊境」與「北境魔女」。這些卡牌引入更多具有地區特色與魔法元素的新機制，進一步擴展戰略深度與可玩性。

從操作上來看，以流暢的介面與優雅的UI設計為特色，無論是卡牌的洗牌、購買、或行動指令的執行都簡潔明快，適合初學者上手，也讓老手能專注於策略思考。

在市場評價方面，被譽為將桌遊成功數位化的範例之一。卡牌的藝術設計延續原作繪師FLIPFLOPs的華麗風格，角色立繪精緻、配音生動，使整體氛圍兼具古典與幻想感。許多玩家將它與《領土》（Dominion）等經典卡牌建構遊戲相比，認為本作在「角色個性化」與「故事導向」的設計上更具吸引力。

總體而言，《HEART of CROWN》是結合政治鬥爭、策略思考與美少女風格的卡牌遊戲。它不僅重現桌遊的原汁原味，還在數位版中加入豐富的視覺與聲音表現。無論是想體驗宮廷陰謀、經營策略，或單純享受一場智略對決的玩家，都能在這個世界中找到屬於自己的樂趣。

HEART of CROWN is a deck-building strategy card game centered on royal succession, developed by the Japanese indie studio illuCalab and based on the original physical card game by FLIPFLOPs. Published by PLAYISM, the game is set to launch on December 18, 2025, for both Steam and Nintendo Switch, featuring full cross-platform online multiplayer. It will also make a debut appearance at the Tokyo Game Show, drawing attention from both digital card game fans and traditional tabletop players.

The story takes place in a grand fantasy empire during an age ruled by sword and magic. After decades of war, a great emperor finally united the continent, bringing peace and prosperity. But just as stability seemed assured, the emperor suddenly dies of illness—without naming a successor. The empire falls into turmoil as seven princesses, each with a claim to the throne, rise as potential heirs. As one of the empire’s powerful nobles, the player must choose a princess to support, rally political allies, expand influence, and guide her to seize the throne before chaos consumes the land once more.

Gameplay in HEART of CROWN revolves around deck-building mechanics combined with turn-based strategy. Each turn, players use money earned from their territories to purchase new “territory” and “action” cards. These cards grant various effects, such as boosting income, disrupting opponents, or gaining influence. Once a player’s economic foundation is strong enough, they can nominate a princess to become their candidate for the throne. Each princess possesses unique abilities, offering powerful strategic advantages—some enhance resource management, while others provide direct political leverage or tactical interference.

After a princess is crowned as your chosen heir, the game shifts into the succession phase. Players compete to accumulate “succession points” by recruiting influential figures like dukes, senators, and nobles to their faction. When a player’s succession points reach 20, they can hold a coronation ceremony—officially claiming the imperial throne and winning the game. The flow of play emphasizes both careful resource management and precise timing, rewarding skillful planning and strategic foresight.

The game supports up to four players in online or local matches, featuring both ranked battles and free play modes. It also offers full cross-play functionality between Steam and Switch, ensuring a seamless multiplayer experience. For solo players, the game includes a story mode that explores the political intrigue and personal ambitions of each princess. The story mode features a high-profile Japanese voice cast, adding dramatic flair to each royal rivalry and making the world feel alive and expressive.

Beyond the base content, this digital edition includes expansion sets such as “Far East Territory” and “Northern Witch,” introducing new cards, magical mechanics, and regional themes that deepen strategic possibilities.

Visually, HEART of CROWN preserves the elegant art style of FLIPFLOPs’ original illustrations, blending vibrant anime aesthetics with a refined fantasy tone. The interface is clean and responsive, designed for intuitive play whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned deck-builder veteran.

In terms of reception, early previews and tabletop fans have praised HEART of CROWN for its faithful digital adaptation of the beloved physical card game. Many players compare it favorably to Dominion, noting that HEART of CROWN offers more character-driven elements and a richer sense of narrative identity. The addition of voice acting and story mode gives it an emotional dimension rarely seen in traditional card-based titles.

Overall, HEART of CROWN is a sophisticated fusion of political intrigue, strategic depth, and anime-style storytelling. It transforms the tension of royal succession into a dynamic and replayable card battle experience—one where careful planning, charm, and cunning determine who will rise to rule the empire.