Item: Yomi
Rating: 88
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

88/100

Yomi is a masterclass in translating the high-stakes psychology of fighting games into a card-based format. Created by David Sirlin, the lead designer of Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, it successfully strips away the need for frame-perfect execution and replaces it with pure strategy and 'yomi'—the Japanese term for reading an opponent's mind.

The gameplay revolves around a rock-paper-scissors-plus-extra mechanic: Attacks beat Throws, Throws beat Blocks and Dodges, and Blocks/Dodges beat Attacks. While that sounds simple, the layer of combos, character-specific special abilities, and the management of your hand size creates an incredibly deep competitive environment. Each of the 10 base characters feels distinct, from Grave’s balanced projectiles to Midori’s powerful dragon transformations.

Technically, the app is utilitarian but functional. It supports cross-platform play with the web version, which is a huge plus for keeping the player base active. The AI is surprisingly competent, offering a genuine challenge for those not ready to jump into ranked online play. If you enjoy the mental gymnastics of a fighting game but prefer the pace of a card game, Yomi is an essential purchase.

Reviewed on: Fri Feb 27 2026

Dinsun Review

Yomi is for people who like to think. It's not about luck; it's about knowing your opponent better than they know themselves. As someone who appreciates deep systems, I respect the balance here. Every character feels distinct—Grapplers play like grapplers, and Zoners play like zoners. It's a technical marvel of game design that translates fighting game fundamentals into cards.

However, the iOS port is showing its age. The UI is cramped, and if you don't have an iPad, you're going to be squinting at card text. Also, the business model is old-school: you pay a premium up-front and then more for character packs. It’s a serious game for serious people, but the lack of a modern visual overhaul keeps it from being a masterpiece in 2026. Still, if you want a game that actually respects your intelligence, this is it.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Incredible competitive depth
Excellent character balance
Meaningful strategic choices

Dated UI/UX
High barrier to entry
Expensive character unlocks

Technical Report

Performance: Best played on iPad. Phone screens are too small for the complex board state.

Accessibility:

Card Zooming

Audience Fit

Buy if: You love high-level competitive play and fighting game mechanics.

Skip if: You want casual, flashy card games like Hearthstone.

Similar Games:

Slay the Spire
Dream Quest
Street Fighter

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun, 40-year-old conservative veteran gamer
Hardware: iPad Pro 11-inch
Playtime: 45 hours
Status: Highly Ranked in Online Ladder

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

594630025

$9.99 9+★4.2 18 reviews

Author : Sirlin Games

Pubish Date : Wed Apr 02 2014

Last Update Date : Tue Sep 17 2024

Support Languages : English

Genres :

Version 1.17Tue Sep 17 2024

Updated Yomi to work on the newest iOS versions.
Dice Tower's Game of the Year, Tom Vasel, 2010
Yomi is a fighting game in card form. Learn your character, practice combos, and read the opponent's tendencies. 10 characters to choose from, plus 10 more expansion characters available inside the app.
Yomi captures the mindgames from fighting games such as Street Fighter, and was created by the lead designer of Street Fighter HD Remix, who was also a long-time fighting game tournament player. Yomi itself is a strategy card game that has held up to many years of tournaments. Start practicing now!
• 10 character decks (10 more expansion also available)
• AI opponents, including a pretty difficult AI
• Survival Mode to play many AI opponents in a row
• Tutorial to get you started
• Online play, cross-platform with the web version at www.fantasystrike.com
• Online leaderboards: start in the Student ranks and work up to Master ranks
• Save replays of your games and watch replays from any other player, including top leaderboard players
From the makers of Puzzle Strike, Flash Duel, and Pandante.
Follow us on Facebook or Twitter:
www.facebook.com/SirlinGames
@SirlinGames
Visit the tabletop store: www.sirlingames.com
Requires iOS 13.0.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Dice Tower's Game of the Year, Tom Vasel, 2010
Yomi is a fighting game in card form. Learn your character, practice combos, and read the opponent's tendencies. 10 characters to choose from, plus 10 more expansion characters available inside the app.
Yomi captures the mindgames from fighting games such as Street Fighter, and was created by the lead designer of Street Fighter HD Remix, who was also a long-time fighting game tournament player. Yomi itself is a strategy card game that has held up to many years of tournaments. Start practicing now!
• 10 character decks (10 more expansion also available)
• AI opponents, including a pretty difficult AI
• Survival Mode to play many AI opponents in a row
• Tutorial to get you started
• Online play, cross-platform with the web version at www.fantasystrike.com
• Online leaderboards: start in the Student ranks and work up to Master ranks
• Save replays of your games and watch replays from any other player, including top leaderboard players
From the makers of Puzzle Strike, Flash Duel, and Pandante.
Follow us on Facebook or Twitter:
www.facebook.com/SirlinGames
@SirlinGames
Visit the tabletop store: www.sirlingames.com

Ratings & Reviews

4.2 out of 5 with 18 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 9+

Yomi is a strategy card game that simulates a fighting game. Created by a former fighting game tournament player, it features 10 unique character decks (with more available via expansion) and emphasizes 'reading' your opponent's next move. Players manage hand resources, execute combos, and utilize character-specific abilities in a deep, balanced competitive system that supports both offline AI play and cross-platform online multiplayer.

Features

10 Unique Character Decks

Competitive Online Ranked Play

Cross-Platform Multiplayer

Challenging AI Opponents

Survival and Tutorial Modes

Tips

Understanding the Combat Triangle

Success in Yomi starts with the fundamental triangle: Attacks beat Throws, Throws beat Blocks/Dodges, and Blocks/Dodges beat Attacks. Use Blocks to draw more cards and build your hand for massive combos.

Promotion Videos

Yomi 2 - Gameplay Trailer - YouTube

News on this game

Gameplays

Combo System

After winning a combat with an attack, you can play additional cards from your hand that follow the combo rules of your specific character to deal massive damage.