Game Review 1 (written by Nyteshade) Added on: 08/29/2006
This is a very rare game to find. Personally, I have spent months looking for this particular game. It' is also unique in game-play. It also allows the creativity. It is very possible to beat the game if you are willing to be persistent with it. The artwork on the cards in the game is exactly as if you were to see the cards in real life.
It has several different difficulty levels to make more of a challenge. The deck builder is also a great way to test deck ideas before implementing them against a real opponent. Where else could you pull out four Black Lotus cards hmm? The individual battles in the game consist of you and the character opponent you have encountered by running around. Some wish to duel you. The benefit of this is if you win the match, you're rewarded with a new card that you can add to your deck. If you don't like the card or just don't have room for it, you can always sell it at one of the towns. If you lose the match, then your ante card goes bye.
Sometimes you will come across random treasure locations which can boost your gold, life, food, or extra cards for your deck. Beware though, it's best to know your cards as you will be quizzed from time to time, especially in the dungeon areas. Be prepared for anything in these areas. Try to have a well balanced deck to account for all different color themes. We wouldn't want to be caught getting hit with a 20 point fireball now would we?
If you have to walk away from the game for whatever reason, be sure to make sure you are not running around on the map or if you are, put your menu screen up so random encounters only happen while you're watching. This isn't just a game that takes a few days to master. It can take weeks or even months to finally have a deck good enough to take on one of the five enemy leaders. I advise getting rid of all the little enemies first as it weakens that primary color.
Oh and don't run out of food or you'll be standing on the map being a wonderful invite for those monsters to take advantage of you. Gems found throughout the game by earning them in duels or by completing quests can be used to trade for better cards.
This is a wonderful game that will keep you entertained for a very long time!
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Game Review 2 (written by Zars01) Added on: 08/19/2006
Wow, this game is great. If you know anything about Magic: The Gathering, you'll want to download this ASAP. The game is set in the world of Shandalar. You're given a deck and loosed on your enemies in a map. When you meet an enemy face to face, you must duel or pay.
Paying is not usually an option, since monsters are attracted when they know you'll run from battle. You're not just paying the Vampire; soon many more will give chase. You're not given a lot of money, so you have to sell cards and it all adds up very quick. Dueling is fun, anyway. You duel for ante, and when you win you get to add to your own deck. This is a good thing, since your starter deck is usually pretty awful.
There are Five Wizards in Shandalar, one for each color in the game. They send their forces to attack cities constantly, so you have to play defense for a while. Why play defense? If you let five attacks go unblocked, you lose the game. You can slow the tide in a number of ways. There are artifacts hidden in some of the cities that will help, by adding to the number of conquered cities the Wizards need to win, etc. You can also defeat the guardian of a defeated city to set the Wizards back a step. Or you can go about winning the game and defeating each of the Wizards in turn. A defeated Wizard can't send an attack, after all.
The Wizards themselves are easy to find. But that doesn't mean the game is easy, not by a long shot. Each wizard is protected by a fortress; dozens of hard-hitting enemies that won't take your bribe stand in your way. And the fortress itself adds to the mystery. Some cards are set into play permanently - cards that make some strategies simply impossible.
The duels are entertaining, true, but they're also complex. Enemies are given gimmick decks and each type of creature is allowed its own strategy. On the harder difficulties of the game, the computer will know how to use those strategies - this means that no matter what you end up building, you just can't face everything and win every time.
Beyond the duels the game logic is sort of fun, too. You can go on quests to defeat this or that, or even just carry a message. The rewards range from a card of your choice a sort of permanent life point. The graphics are great, the music is enriching, and the sound effects are fun!
Magic: The Gathering at Wikipedia
Magic: The Gathering at MobyGames
Comments
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Here4magicplease (12/28/2008)
Great game indeed. (12/11/2008)
Great way to get new players to understand the game, and great way to get veteran players to understand how much fun it is again. I have been wanting to play this game for ages.Bfreitag (10/04/2008)
Awsome game! Haven't played it in years, but I'm lookin forward to it! If you like Magic the Gathering at all, you'll love this RPG adventure game.Steve (09/09/2008)
This is probably the best Magic game ever made for the computer. I truly wish someone would update this with the thousands of cards that are out there now, and with better graphics and random effects in the castles. I have this played this for hours, but it helps that I have played since revised, so I know the original rules. Love this game!Fishguy9 (09/01/2008)
Nostalgia! I played the card game for many years and was thrilled when the video game came out.Slein007 (08/24/2008)
Really a wonderfull game! It has only the cards of the original game and the first expansions (of course), but that also is what the game makes so nice. To play with those old cards! You can play a duel against a deck you choose or play the actual game, which I found quite challeging. And you don't have to buy all those cards as you have to do online ;)Mark (08/13/2008)
A hidden gem great for any magic the gathering fan. This game is similar to magic the gathering online except it’s absolutely free! No more need to spend countless hundreds of dollars on cards. It is also a fun way to playtest a deck before you make it for real.Clydeliu (07/03/2008)
Thanks a lot. It's a very good game. Very difficult to find. This is a great simulation of the actual Magic the Gathering card game before it was ruined by its own popularity. Not a bad game at all. Worth the download.Mikehawley625 (06/26/2008)
I remember when I first beat the Green Mage. This game was my first strategy/card game I had ever played. It is very fun to play.1faruk1 (04/30/2008)
Very good game.Bb_kenobi (04/06/2008)
It's a very beautiful game.Whiteb1 (03/25/2008)
Very good game.Freelancer66 (03/23/2008)
This is a great simulation of the actual Magic the Gathering card game before it was ruined by its own popularity. Not a bad game at all. Worth the download.Flappymcnasty (02/28/2008)
This is the best game of this age I liked some much for the graphics and the sounds.Iconoclasm (02/20/2008)
This is one of my favorite games of all time and I love it. It has a great story with many different gaming options. I'm sure everyone that plays this game will love it.Strangehusky (02/13/2008)
Great way to get new players to understand the game, and great way to get veteran players to understand how much fun it is again. I have been wanting to play this game for ages.Echo@yahoo.com (12/18/2007)
Very good.Roni (11/16/2007)
Niice game.Pvtparts (10/31/2007)
Nostalgia all over again. I used to know all the cards even past ice age expansion pack, now all I remember is counterspell!Ninefingers10 (09/21/2007)
This is a really sweet game.Lamboleap (08/14/2007)
One of the best Magic: The Gathering games I've ever played.Klownyjarb (06/26/2007)
Awesome game. I remember playing this card game back in the day.Shaggy37862 (06/02/2007)
This game is a good investment even today with what seems like 20 new expansions. Good for those who have never played Magic or for the veterans, this will never leave my collection.Silkeby (05/21/2007)
Great old classic game. And very hard too complete without doing some autosaving that is, but it’s great that it is so hard.Jjflash572 (04/19/2007)
This game not only captures the CCG perfectly, it combines it with a solid adventure element seamlessly. This game is a must-have for any fan of the card game.Mattean (03/23/2007)
The most fun version of free magic the gathering. Fun, Funny, Nostalgic. This should be done to more games.Madmac321 (01/08/2007)
This is a great simulation of the actual Magic the Gathering card game before it was ruined by its own popularity. This game plays just like the original Alpha MtGHaitani (11/27/2006)
The classiest of the card games :) I do recommend this for ANYONE who loves card games.Nickgrenier (09/08/2006)
I just want to say thanks because this game is so hard to find. Thanks alot.Scoopy (08/19/2006)
If you like Magic the Gathering Online, you are going to love this game. The interface is similiar (they've made improvements for MtGO), and the graphics are adequate. The strategy is what makes this game. After defeating a few enemies, the computer starts to learn your deck and build against it. Travel as a beginner mage, with 10 life and a crappy deck, defeating enemies, exploring dungeons, and taking on the five bad wizards (one for each color) in their own castles. Various opponents not only have different decks, but different amounts of life as well. Some start with spells in play to give them an edge on you. Each color has different strategies. You have the ability to learn about dungeons before entering them which allows you to customize your deck. Also there are magic items you can aquire which will help you navigate the world and face your opponents. Finally you get to enjoy using cards from the oldest sets, including 3rd edition, Antiquities, Arabian Nights, even some Legends and The Dark. Unfortunately there are not all of the various multicolor Legend cards in the set, which probably would have been nigh impossible for the programmers to build strategy for. All in all this is a fantastic game! |
