Magic 2014: Duels of the Planeswalkers

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,301 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Magic 2014: Duels of the Planeswalkers Game Cover
DoTP has brilliant core gameplay and a near-perfect interface, but it's hampered by locked content, and not knowing what game it wants to be.
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Ignite your spark with Magic 2014: Duels of the Planeswalkers! With over 12 million fans, discover what makes Magic: The Gathering the world’s premier trading card game. Become a Planeswalker and travel the planes of existence unleashing a torrent of spells and creatures to devastate your opponents. Prove yourself in combat against Chandra Nalaar—a fiercely independent Planeswalker with an affin…

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Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,301 reviews
gameplay52 positive mentions
monetization26 negative mentions
  • Great for beginners to learn the rules and mechanics of Magic: The Gathering.
  • Fun and addictive gameplay with a variety of decks and challenges.
  • Sealed play mode adds an interesting layer of strategy and deck-building.
  • Limited deck customization options and reliance on pre-built decks.
  • AI opponents often feel scripted and can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
  • Microtransactions for additional deck slots and cards can feel exploitative.
  • gameplay210 mentions

    The gameplay of "Magic 2014: Duels of the Planeswalkers" is generally praised for its accessibility and effectiveness in teaching new players the mechanics of Magic: The Gathering, with a variety of game modes and intuitive mechanics. However, it faces criticism for its limited deck customization, occasional bugs, and a perceived lack of depth compared to the physical card game, which may disappoint veteran players seeking a more complex experience. Overall, it serves as a solid introduction to the franchise, albeit with some frustrating elements and a reliance on microtransactions for additional content.

    • “Magic 2014 — Duels of the Planeswalkers brings the beloved trading card game to digital platforms with engaging gameplay and intuitive mechanics.”
    • “This game could not have done a better job of teaching the rules and the gameplay, and it's done in such a smooth way that it feels like it's just part of the game.”
    • “The gameplay is easy to pick up (if you haven't played before), and there is a decent variety of cards and decks to play, with several game modes.”
    • “Absolutely busted mechanics in this game.”
    • “Awful mechanics, your turn time is way too short and miss clicks happen way too easily.”
    • “The game is not perfect: there are tons of bugs ranging from graphics issues to gameplay mechanic problems.”
  • story76 mentions

    The story in the game is generally considered light and rudimentary, serving primarily as a framework to connect gameplay elements rather than offering a deep narrative experience. While some players appreciate the inclusion of familiar characters and lore from the Magic: The Gathering universe, many feel that the campaign's plot is basic and lacks engaging storytelling, with cutscenes that do not significantly enhance the experience. Overall, the game is seen as more enjoyable for its gameplay mechanics than for its narrative depth.

    • “The big improvements to this version are the music, which is pretty good now, and the story, which reveals something about the greater MTG storyline for a change.”
    • “Throughout this story’s arc, you follow and ally yourself with Chandra Nalaar, a pyromancer seeking revenge against an enemy of great power.”
    • “It is a great way to get back into the game if it's been a while or even if you are an active player; it can be a fun way to experiment with the different card mechanics, test decks, and you will enjoy the planeswalker story in the campaign that is starting to really flesh out into a pretty cool story.”
    • “The campaign, story, and videos in between aren't that good.”
    • “The story is nearly non-existent, but nobody ever played Magic for the lore... I hope.”
    • “The 'campaign' story is shallow, and the CGI cutscenes might have been good a decade ago.”
  • graphics64 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful artwork and smooth animations that enhance the overall experience. However, several users report significant issues, including bugs that affect card visibility and loading times, as well as a need for high-end hardware to fully enjoy the visuals. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered appealing, they are marred by technical problems that detract from the gameplay experience.

    • “This game boasts a wide array of features, including intuitive gameplay mechanics, challenging opponents, and stunning graphics that capture the essence of the Magic: The Gathering universe.”
    • “The game's graphics and sound design are top-notch, with beautifully rendered art and immersive sound effects that pull you further into the world of Magic: The Gathering.”
    • “Great graphics, fantastic structure, and it really hooks you from the get-go.”
    • “Unable to read the cards due to some sort of graphics issues.”
    • “For some reason the graphics on the cards were invisible; it was as if someone had cut all the images out of the cards and I could see the board through the holes.”
    • “The graphics are mediocre at best, and the fact that one of the startup logos plays best on Alienware is a red flag to me.”
  • monetization41 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it a blatant cash grab due to the heavy reliance on microtransactions for essential gameplay features, such as deck slots and card unlocks. The presence of numerous add-ons and advertisements for the physical card game further detracts from the experience, leading to disappointment among veteran players who expected more depth and flexibility. Overall, while some find enjoyment in the game, the monetization approach has left a sour taste for many, feeling more like an advertisement than a standalone product.

    • “They're my comfort food, the kind of thing I boot up to have simple fun with and not have to worry about microtransactions or grinding or 'the meta'.”
    • “Microtransactions are fun to use.”
    • “I will note that those coming from past games used to just paying for an expansion or two along with some deck packs will see more in-game purchases in this game, which I assume they have adopted from their success in iOS on last year's Magic 2013.”
    • “Microtransactions are required to play this game.”
    • “What they do not readily advertise is that the game includes microtransactions; certain aspects of gameplay are cut short by a requirement that the player pay more money to unlock extra gameplay.”
    • “I understand games are a business, but this is just an insulting cash grab.”
  • stability36 mentions

    The stability of Magic 2015 on Android and other platforms is widely criticized, with users reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and freezes that disrupt gameplay. While some players find enjoyment in the game's features and customization options, the overall experience is marred by a clunky interface and persistent technical issues, making it difficult to recommend for those seeking a smooth gaming experience.

    • “The game freezes mid-game as if you're waiting on someone to make a choice, but it never will go through, until everyone leaves and restarts the match.”
    • “It glitches to the point that it doesn't let you use cards, it crashes, and it glitches so hard you can't always choose what land card you want to place down. This is depressing.”
    • “However, it is extremely buggy which can be extremely annoying when winning a multiplayer game and then having to back out of it because it crashes or freezes.”
  • music35 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many users praising its orchestration and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere. The soundtrack is described as catchy and fitting, significantly contributing to the game's immersive experience, making it a highlight for players. Overall, the music is considered a major selling point, with some even recommending purchasing the bundle that includes the soundtrack.

    • “The soundtrack alone is good enough for a buy.”
    • “The game also features an impressive soundtrack that perfectly captures the epic nature of the battles being fought.”
    • “Another positive thing is the music, great, ambient background music that doesn't bother you while you're playing or thinking about your moves.”
    • “I will gladly admit, however, I'm disappointed I don't have the soundtrack.”
    • “Don't fall for the obvious cash-in tricks buried amongst the really cheap deck unlocks (who needs foiled cards, wallpapers, soundtracks?).”
    • “Cons: a launch bug that doesn't save your previous resolution settings, you have to pay money to unlock slots for the sealed deck play, disappointing single player ending with awful music during the credits.”
  • replayability32 mentions

    Overall, the game offers a mixed bag of replayability. While many players appreciate the strategic depth provided by diverse decks and card unlocks, some criticize the limited replay value of the sealed mode and the perceived need for additional paid content to enhance the experience. Despite these concerns, the game remains engaging for both newcomers and veterans, with a strong emphasis on multiplayer and deck customization.

    • “The diverse selection of decks and cards offers strategic depth and replayability for both newcomers and veterans alike.”
    • “The game is beautiful, and it has near endless replay value.”
    • “There's a lot of variety and replayability in the base game, between campaign mode, challenges and the number of decks available to play.”
    • “There's not really much replay value unless you want to play sealed mode against a friend or if you just like playing against the same decks over and over again.”
    • “I strongly dislike the sealed deck campaign as it has zero replay value and there is no way to restart the campaign after you beat it.”
    • “Your only real game styles are regular and sealed, and the sealed mode is very limited in that (without buying additional content) you only get one card pool to play with, meaning that the sealed campaign has approaching zero replay value, since you get the same cards every time.”
  • grinding24 mentions

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a significant point of contention, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming. While some appreciate the challenge and the sense of progression it offers, others feel that the extensive grinding required to unlock cards and decks detracts from the overall enjoyment, often leading to frustration. Additionally, the option to purchase shortcuts through DLC has sparked debate about the balance between gameplay and monetization.

    • “Definitely get the deluxe, otherwise it's grindy to unlock it all.”
    • “There is also a bunch of deck key DLC, which is nothing more than 'skip the grinding' DLC.”
    • “This game is worse than Magic 2013; they increased the amount of grinding you have to do by placing 'campaigns' where you must face 4 scenarios before you can unlock a deck.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The humor in the game is noted as hit-or-miss, with some players finding it amusing at times, while others criticize it as a cash grab. Overall, the card game features well-themed and balanced decks that contribute to its comedic elements, although the campaign is relatively short.

    • “Very funny card game.”
    • “Except for Avacyn's Glory, the other decks are quite balanced, funny, and very themed; the campaign is short but decent, the UI has improved from last year, and the sealed addition is a nice touch that raises the longevity of this title.”
    • “That, and it's a hilariously pushy cash grab.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, the game is well-optimized, providing smooth performance and efficient matchmaking. However, players may encounter challenges in competitive scenarios, particularly against highly optimized decks, which can lead to frustration in later stages of gameplay.

    • “The game runs smoothly, and the matchmaking system is efficient, ensuring you find opponents quickly.”
    • “This teaches deck optimization and conservative thinking, and you can play online knowing every other player did the same; they didn't just pull a trade to arrange some pre-conceived card combo they looked up online from players better than themselves to give themselves an unfair advantage.”
    • “Now this is fine until you reach the fourth duel in the challenge where you face an extremely optimized white fast creature deck and you are defeated time and time again.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the impactful music that enhances the magical feel, alongside stellar graphics that contribute to an immersive experience. Overall, the combination of these elements creates a captivating environment for players.

    • “I really liked the music; it added the 'right' feel to the magical atmosphere, at least for me.”
    • “Magic is an amazing card game that I think has been ported to the PC extremely well. The atmosphere and graphics are stellar.”
    • “The atmosphere felt flat and uninspired, lacking any real sense of immersion.”
    • “Despite the beautiful graphics, the overall atmosphere was dull and lifeless.”
    • “I expected a rich, engaging atmosphere, but it ended up feeling empty and forgettable.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

Buy Magic 2014: Duels of the Planeswalkers

Play time

154hMedian play time
201hAverage play time
100-377hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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