System Gateway (fan expansion for Android: Netrunner)
- Players
- 2
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 2 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 45 min
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 3.5 / 5
- Year
- 2021
About the game
System Gateway is Null Signal Games's foundational set for the asymmetric card game Netrunner, designed as an out-of-the-box learning experience for two players. One player takes on a scheming Corporation while the other plays a rogue Runner trying to breach its servers, using action points, deck-building, and secret unit deployment to outwit each other. Pre-constructed starter decks let two people learn the game immediately, while a full parallel card set enables custom deckbuilding afterward. It's a lean, focused entry point into competitive cyberpunk card dueling.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's editors see this as a lovingly crafted continuation of the beloved Android: Netrunner legacy, carried forward by its passionate community after the original went out of print. The asymmetric roles remain some of the most interesting in any card game, since Corp and Runner genuinely play like different games. It does ask players to learn two rule sets rather than one. For fans of tense, bluffing-heavy two-player duels, it's an easy recommendation.
What we like
- Designed as an accessible entry point into Netrunner.
- Includes pre-constructed starter decks for immediate play.
- Full card set enables deep custom deckbuilding afterward.
- Community-supported continuation of a beloved asymmetric LCG.
Keep in mind
- Requires learning two distinct rule sets, one per side.
- Competitive metagame has a steep long-term learning curve.
- Strictly limited to two players.
Who it's for
Best for two players who enjoy competitive, asymmetric card games with bluffing and deckbuilding, especially fans of the Netrunner legacy.
