This is quite easily the best console in the game. It's sheer utility and hefty returns make buying that third core set an absolute necessity for top tier players who are using it.

Of all the factions, Criminal has the most interesting and unique consoles. Doppelgänger laughs in the face of Jinteki: Replicating Perfection, and makes for a decent Notoriety/Quest Completed deck. Logos can drastically change the game, and synergizes quite nicely with Leela's ability. Box-E not only gives you extra memory, but it'll mess with the Corp's math for scorching. And then there's Blackguard. Such a useful console if you can shell out the money for it.

There's only one problem with these consoles: you have to build your deck around them. Or in the case of Box-E, there has to be a good reason you aren't playing Desperado. This card you can slip into any deck, in or out of faction, and more often than not, it'll be a good fit. Personally, I've only really played it in my competitive Andy deck, but I've seen it pretty much everywhere. That's 6 to 9 influence people are spending on card, and with good reason. At 3 to install, the returns are always at least double the cost, if not more. Plus, just having that extra, click-free credit to spend during access is ridiculous useful for when you need to make runs early. The Corp may think you can't get into their remote and steal the game-winning NAPD Contract, but then you break through every thing, and go from 3 to 4 credits to secure the win.

Any other criminal console is going to telegraph your gameplan, which might seem insignificant, but can affect the Corp's early game decisions; for instance, if I see a Doppelgänger hit the table, I'm going to be putting a taxing ice on archives as soon as I can. But all you can tell from a player using Desperado is that they want to win.

Generally I'm a fan of anything that rewards you for doing what you're going to do anyway. Desperado is king of this idea, along with Engineering the Future. You're a runner. You're going to run. And hopefully you're going to run successfully. Any time you do, you're rewarded for it. It's not a huge reward, but it's 1c on top of whatever you were already going to do.

My biggest annoyance with Desperado is that it's so useful that every other criminal console basically has to answer the question "Why are you choosing this over Desperado"?

At 3 influence, it can be painful to splash in to other factions. But for a criminal runner, unless you have a focused plan that requires a different console, it's hard not to add in Desperado.

"Pfft, 1. What can you do with 1? I guess I'll put it down, if it comes up. Now, where did I put that Aurora..." Was my (and the people I suckered into playing with me's) first reaction to this card. Don't be me (or them (but mostly me)). Keep in mind the following:

• 1 is a lot more valuable than you might first think. In your first few games, you're probably swimming in money you don't need and haven't been forced to use. Once you understand how the game works and you're both somewhat competent you'll realise how tight the economy in this game gets.

• You won't think much of the 'Whenever...' on this card until you realise how most cards are limited to 'The first time' or 'once per turn'. This kind of availability is comparatively rare.

• As many have said before, you don't have to go out of your way to make it helpful. This card works with the fundementals of being a runner, any kind of runner. No matter how you do it, this card will reward you for it.

All of these things together add up to a console that will support you reliably however you decide to play. That's why its so good. It's only downside is blandness. There are so many inventive and potentially nifty things you could be doing, but instead you're getting money for running. "Well done, you." I end up thinking to myself, and feeling slightly dissapointed.

I have absolutely no idea why anyone would ever use this card. Most corps have ice in their decks, ice such as Wall of Static or Guard. You will need to pay to break this ice if you are going to make a successful run. So as the game goes on, you need to pay increasingly more money to get 1, which is literally the lowest positive integer in existence. Not to mention the click and 3 it cost you to put this card on the table in the first place. Compare to a Sure Gamble, which lets you instantly click for 4.

This card is a big trap for beginner players who like cool pictures of computer displays and the color blue.

Other Criminal consoles tend to signal your strategy to the Corp, which can influence their early game decisions. For instance, if I see a Doppelgänger on the table, I immediately anticipate a taxing ice on archives. In contrast, a player using Desperado keeps their intentions ambiguous, making it hard for the Corp to predict their moves.

In summary, Desperado not only enhances your gameplay but also maintains an element of surprise, making it a must-have for any serious player. Its versatility and effectiveness solidify its place as a cornerstone in competitive decks. geometry dash breeze is another review.