Magic 2014: Duels of the Planeswalkers

69%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,608 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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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

69%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,608 reviews
gameplay105 positive mentions
monetization52 negative mentions
  • Great introduction to Magic: The Gathering for new players, with a solid tutorial and easy-to-understand mechanics.
  • Fun multiplayer modes, including Two-Headed Giant, which adds a cooperative element to gameplay.
  • Decent variety of pre-built decks and the ability to unlock additional cards through gameplay.
  • Limited deck customization options, as players can only modify pre-built decks and cannot create their own from scratch.
  • Sealed deck mode is a cash grab, requiring players to purchase additional slots after the initial two, which limits replayability.
  • AI opponents often feel scripted and can lead to frustrating experiences, as they consistently draw the perfect cards at crucial moments.
  • gameplay421 mentions

    The gameplay of "Magic 2014: Duels of the Planeswalkers" is generally well-received for its ability to teach new players the mechanics of Magic: The Gathering, offering a smooth introduction to the game's rules and strategies. However, many players criticize the limitations on deck customization, the presence of bugs, and the reliance on microtransactions, which detracts from the overall experience. While the game provides enjoyable mechanics and various modes, it often feels restricted and lacks depth compared to the physical card game.

    • “The classic mechanics, the fun cards, the great co-op game modes, and the customization options are in perfect harmony... and it wasn't a money-hungry pit.”
    • “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.”
    • “If you're a new player to Magic: The Gathering, this is a great place to learn the very basic gameplay and mechanics of the game.”
    • “Awful mechanics, your turn time is way too short and miss clicks happen way too easy.”
    • “But unfortunately there's not actually that much gameplay here, and the static deck lists (with fixed unlocks and no way to swap cards between decks) don't make for a true magic experience.”
    • “On top of that the gameplay is extremely frustrating.”
  • story152 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 like Chandra Nalaar and the attempt to weave a storyline into the gameplay, many feel that the plot lacks depth and polish, with cutscenes that do not significantly enhance the experience. Overall, the game is seen as more enjoyable for its mechanics and multiplayer aspects than for its storytelling.

    • “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.”
  • graphics128 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. While some find the graphics impressive and immersive, others feel they are mediocre and hindered by technical problems.

    • “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.”
  • monetization82 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 pre-made decks. The presence of numerous add-ons and advertisements for the physical card game further exacerbates the feeling that the game prioritizes profit over player experience. While some enjoy the game for its fun elements, the pervasive monetization tactics leave a sour taste, particularly for veteran players seeking a more authentic card game experience.

    • “Microtransactions are fun to use.”
    • “Fans will like the new modes, and the inclusion of the sealed play option takes this version to a whole new level, but the requirement of microtransactions for deck slots leaves a rather sour taste.”
    • “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.”
  • stability72 mentions

    The stability of Magic 2015 is widely criticized, with users reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and freezes, particularly during multiplayer sessions. Many players express frustration over the game's clunky interface and the unreliability of the AI, which further detracts from the experience. While some enjoy the game's features and customization options, the overall consensus is that the game suffers from significant stability issues that hinder gameplay.

    • “There are the occasional bugs where the game just freezes at a timer event, and the person who has the problem has to leave the game or you are all just sitting there waiting... and waiting... and waiting, until you decide to just leave yourself and join another game.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • music70 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, perfectly complementing the gameplay and adding to the epic nature of battles. Overall, the music is considered a significant highlight, with some users recommending purchasing the soundtrack bundle for an enhanced experience.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “The one song it plays throughout everything is catchy, even if it only is 2 minutes long and loops, so that's a plus.”
  • replayability64 mentions

    The game's replayability is generally praised, with many players enjoying the process of unlocking decks and cards, which adds significant value and encourages repeated play. However, some criticisms arise regarding the limited replay value of the sealed mode and the feeling that certain design choices may have been made to push players towards purchasing additional content. Overall, while there are mixed opinions, many find the game engaging and worth revisiting due to its variety and multiplayer options.

    • “The game is beautiful, and it has near endless replay value.”
    • “I enjoy coming back to this game and unlocking more decks, so it's got a great replayability factor.”
    • “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 for 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 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.”
  • grinding48 mentions

    The reviews indicate that grinding is a significant aspect of the game, often leading to a tedious and slow experience for players. Many express frustration with the time required to unlock cards and decks, suggesting that the game encourages microtransactions to bypass this grind. While some players find enjoyment in the gameplay and the sense of progression, the overall sentiment leans towards grinding being a major drawback that detracts from the fun.

    • “Definitely get the deluxe, otherwise it's grindy to unlock it all.”
    • “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, while before you could unlock many decks just by playing the opponent.”
    • “For the most part, the game is enjoyable, but it does suffer from some slightly slow gameplay at times, and the collection of cards can get tedious and feel a bit unrewarding unless you are willing to shell out the physical cash to buy the cards in a deck.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as hit-or-miss, with some moments being genuinely funny, particularly in themed decks, while others feel forced or overshadowed by gameplay imbalances. Additionally, the game is criticized for its cash grab elements, which detracts from the overall comedic experience. Overall, while there are humorous aspects, they are inconsistent and sometimes overshadowed by other issues.

    • “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.”
  • optimization5 mentions

    The game effectively teaches players about deck optimization and strategic thinking, fostering a fair competitive environment where all players engage in similar practices. However, some users have noted that the challenge can become frustratingly difficult, particularly against highly optimized decks, which may lead to repeated defeats. Overall, the game runs smoothly with efficient matchmaking, enhancing the online experience.

    • “The game runs smoothly, and the matchmaking system is efficient, ensuring you find opponents quickly.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    Reviewers consistently praise the atmosphere of the game, highlighting the stellar graphics and music that enhance the magical feel. The combination of these elements creates an immersive experience that effectively captures the essence of the original card game.

    • “The music 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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

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Play time

154hMedian play time
201hAverage play time
100-377hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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