Magic 2015 - Duels of the Planeswalkers

41%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,247 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • grinding
Magic 2015 - Duels of the Planeswalkers Game Cover
The yearly update to Stainless Game's digital version of Magic: The Gathering offers some crucial updates that are held back by a continued conservatism.
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In Magic 2015, players are given the ability to create custom decks. As games are won and experience is earned, new cards of the player's choice are added to their collection. Players are also given the ability to open virtual booster packs to give more options when deck building, and the game gives assistance in creating decks.

Play Modes

Reviews

41%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,247 reviews
gameplay56 positive mentions
grinding147 negative mentions
  • Allows for full deck customization, a long-awaited feature for Magic fans.
  • Fun single-player campaign that helps new players learn the game.
  • Good graphics and smooth gameplay when functioning properly.
  • Limited card pool compared to previous versions, making deck building less interesting.
  • No Two-Headed Giant mode or other fun game modes from previous iterations.
  • Clunky and slow user interface that detracts from the overall experience.
  • gameplay239 mentions

    The gameplay of Magic 2015 has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a slower pace compared to previous installments, which detracts from the overall experience. While the card mechanics and deck-building features are praised for their depth and accessibility, numerous bugs and a clunky user interface hinder smooth gameplay. Additionally, the presence of pay-to-win elements and a limited card pool have frustrated both new and veteran players, leading to a perception that the game lacks the engaging variety found in earlier versions.

    • “Magic 2014 was a great game; they helped you understand the game's mechanics and had decks for each color combination.”
    • “The gameplay is that of the Magic card game, so if you like the game, you'll enjoy this game.”
    • “Overall, I really enjoy this game; I feel it's the best one they have done so far with the multiple fully customizable decks, the amount of cards they have put in, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the DLCs are. Gameplay feels more involving in the constant thought of perfecting a deck, feels more like real-life Magic: The Gathering.”
    • “The gameplay has become even slower and more laborious; if you can play magic without a frustrating AI prompting you with what to do constantly, you won't want to play this.”
    • “Slow gameplay, bad interface (do the icons really need to scroll slowly off the screen after I make a selection, every time?), and a rather dismal card pool lead to a very awkward grindy game.”
    • “The gameplay is exactly the same as it's been for the Duels of the Planeswalkers games, but the menus have a fairly annoying 'wipe' kind of effect when you click on something that doesn't initially show that your click actually registered.”
  • story166 mentions

    The story mode in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it interesting yet lacking depth and immersion compared to previous titles. While some appreciate the inclusion of a narrative and the ability to build custom decks, others criticize the storyline as thin and unengaging, often feeling disconnected from the gameplay. Overall, the campaign offers a decent amount of single-player content, but many players feel it could benefit from more substantial storytelling and character development.

    • “The underlying story of Garruk and his obsession with being a hunter is nicely realized, and while the transitions from plane to plane are a touch weird, it's all good and nothing that detracts from the overall story experience.”
    • “The campaign continues last year's awesomeness, and this time the plot actually feels more relevant to the greater MTG storyline, with some sweet cutscenes as gravy.”
    • “All coupled up with a beautiful deck progression and vivid storytelling.”
    • “The story mode feels like it comes down to luck more than skill.”
    • “The story is laughably short, maybe 5 hours total if you aren't just restarting over and over trying to win a duel.”
    • “Despite the effort, the story in these games is practically non-existent; it simply feels heartless.”
  • grinding148 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly due to the lack of effective card filtering options and the slow pace of gameplay. While some players appreciate the sense of accomplishment that comes from grinding for cards, others criticize the heavy reliance on microtransactions and the feeling that the game is designed to push players towards spending money to avoid extensive grinding. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a significant drawback, especially for those who prefer a more casual or streamlined gaming experience.

    • “It's actually not that tedious or boring.”
    • “The grinding feels rewarding and keeps me engaged.”
    • “I enjoy the sense of progression that comes with grinding.”
    • “The process is somewhat tedious, however, as cards can only be filtered by color, type, and cost, but there is no search option for keywords.”
    • “It's an insanely greedy, unnecessary step, only to bring in more money because the grinding is painstakingly boring.”
    • “The single player campaign is incredibly sluggish and tedious.”
  • monetization131 mentions

    The monetization strategy in the game has been widely criticized for its heavy reliance on microtransactions, which many players feel transforms the experience into a cash grab. Users report that essential cards and upgrades are locked behind paywalls, making it difficult to fully enjoy the game without spending additional money. While some content can be unlocked through gameplay, the presence of frequent advertisements and the option to purchase premium packs has left a negative impression, leading to a perception of the game as primarily focused on profit rather than player experience.

    • “I had read previous complaints about microtransactions, but now it seems that the booster packs (formerly premium packs) are now acquired by winning multiplayer matches, although you still have the option to buy them under the DLC content.”
    • “The optional in-game purchases can add some upgrades to the free-to-play card pool, but the vast majority of game content can be unlocked by completing the campaign.”
    • “If you can afford the microtransactions, or even the $19.99 or $34.99, then you will get that much more enjoyment compared to other games with similar price tags.”
    • “They're making money on ads and yet still have the nerve to ask for more money to make the game a little easier.”
    • “The magic series has become nothing more than a quick cash grab, taking advantage of those of us still hoping they will learn from their mistakes.”
    • “Microtransactions rule the day, and the card pool is capped (just like the amount of good cards in your deck, thanks again developers).”
  • graphics121 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the clean and appealing art style, while others criticize the lack of special effects and performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems. Many users note that the menus are cluttered and slow, detracting from the overall experience, despite the attractive card artwork. Overall, while the visuals are considered decent or improved compared to previous iterations, they often come at the cost of gameplay fluidity and user interface functionality.

    • “The graphics and art are beautiful as always, and I love the chosen soundtrack for menus and battles.”
    • “The colours and graphics are crisp and nice looking; I think it's the best looking Magic game by far.”
    • “Beautiful graphics and great tutorials.”
    • “My computer can run most recently released games on the highest graphics settings, but I'm suffering performance issues just navigating through this 2014 card game's menus.”
    • “The graphic interface looks like it's been done by tablet programmers; it really is that awful.”
    • “The menus take forever to select and move so slow, but there are no graphics other than card pictures!”
  • stability59 mentions

    The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, crashes, and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. Users have experienced issues such as freezing menus, unplayable cards, and frequent disconnects, leading to frustration and a lack of confidence in the game's reliability. While some players note that the game functions well most of the time, the overall consensus is that it remains plagued by technical problems that detract from the experience.

    • “There is absolutely no excuse for how buggy this game is.”
    • “The game is full of bugs and glitches.”
    • “Game crashes and freezes constantly.”
  • music37 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players finding it repetitive and lacking the depth of previous installments, particularly Magic 2014. While some appreciate the pleasant and atmospheric qualities of the soundtrack, others describe it as bland and forgettable, leading to a general desire for more variety and engagement in the musical experience. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the music is not terrible, it fails to leave a lasting impression compared to earlier versions.

    • “As usual, an epic soundtrack perfectly captures the feeling of magical adventure and tough action.”
    • “The graphics and art are beautiful as always, and I love the chosen soundtrack for menus and battles.”
    • “The music is unintrusive and quite great.”
    • “Music is bland and has no feeling.”
    • “The game doesn't have anything for music; it's the same song all the time, it's annoying.”
    • “The music is not interesting at all.”
  • optimization24 mentions

    The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with users reporting significant performance issues, particularly in menu navigation and overall responsiveness, even on high-end machines. Many players have noted that the user interface is poorly designed for PC use, often feeling sluggish and unresponsive, which detracts from the overall experience. While some improvements have been made compared to previous versions, the consensus remains that the game suffers from inadequate optimization, especially for non-touchscreen devices.

    • “The game is far better optimized than previous versions, especially 2014.”
    • “Match UI performance improvement: the playfield UI responds much better.”
    • “Runs smoothly without any glitches or crashes (compared to Magic 2014, this is so much better).”
    • “My computer can run most recently released games on the highest graphics settings, but I'm suffering performance issues just navigating through this 2014 card game's menus.”
    • “Painfully slow menus, even slower when using a cross-fire setup, awful performance, no usability whatsoever on the menus (where is the retry option for online play? Change deck between matches?), slow grinding to get new cards, and incomplete options for deck building.”
    • “After browsing reviews and various websites, there seems to be a consensus that the game has poor optimization, the UI is poor, and the deck building is practically imprisoned in the helvault that Avacyn for whatever reason doesn't want you getting into.”
  • replayability23 mentions

    Overall, the replayability of the game is mixed, with many users noting a lack of significant replay value, particularly in single-player modes and campaign duels. While some players appreciate the potential for experimentation and challenges through achievements, others criticize the absence of unlockable cards and the removal of popular features from previous iterations. The game offers limited replayability compared to earlier versions, with some players finding enjoyment despite its shortcomings.

    • “Magic: The Gathering is a habit-forming, easy to play, quick to learn trading card game that is essentially inexhaustible in its replayability.”
    • “This adds a ton of replayability and experimentation over previous versions!”
    • “The achievements, personas, and titles offer a reasonable challenge to obtain, bringing a lot of replay value.”
    • “Zero replay value - that's the whole point in a CCG, rebuild or modify and go at it again.”
    • “As a note, there's no replay value for facing these campaign duelists (which is kinda dumb, as some of them have interesting decks).”
    • “Replayability is close to zero since you no longer unlock cards.”
  • humor20 mentions

    The humor in the game is often derived from its quirky mechanics and player experiences, such as the clunky menus and the absurdity of players netdecking the same strategies despite the promise of customization. Players find amusement in the game's challenges, like struggling with suboptimal decks and the irony of microtransactions in a card game. Overall, while the humor may not reach the heights of its predecessor, it still provides a lighthearted backdrop to the gameplay experience.

    • “The most hilarious part was I had all the premium boosters unlocked after beating so many people. I made premium booster decks that were horrible; I bought the packs to fund the game after I had unlocked all the normal cards and wanted more just for the sake of completionism, funding the game I was enjoying despite all the hate, like I did with the previous games.”
    • “It's like adding load times to a game because you have an idea of a funny message to pop up during load times.”
    • “I just beat the campaign; it was not impossible, challenging yet funny, and the way we get cards is fine. The pool is not too big but decent and with a few cool deck possibilities. The HUD sucks but you get used to it and stop hating it after a bit. Enjoy this game.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Players express a mix of nostalgia and disappointment regarding the emotional impact of the game, feeling let down compared to previous installments in the franchise. While some find moments of accomplishment and enjoyment, there is an underlying sense of heartbreak over the game's perceived decline in quality and creativity. Overall, the emotional responses range from frustration to a desire for a more engaging experience.

    • “It's heartbreaking at times.”
    • “I just beat the campaign and it was my deck building decisions that made me feel like I had actually accomplished something.”
    • “The game does have some good, there is fun to be had in it but I held the Duel of the Planeswalker franchise to a much higher regard and to see it become this is pretty heartbreaking.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    Reviewers highlight the game's strong atmosphere, noting the importance of music, atmospheric graphics, and detailed arenas that enhance the overall experience. Many feel that these elements elevate the game beyond a mere trading card experience, contributing to its fantastic gameplay and immersive quality.

    • “As silly as it sounds, I miss the focus on great music, atmospheric graphics, and even the detail given to the arena.”
    • “I felt the previous versions of the game (2013, 2014, etc.) had enough other atmospheric features that elevated the experience beyond a simple 'trading card game'.”
    • “This game has a great atmosphere, fantastic gameplay, and it's Magic: The Gathering, so just buy it and see.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

55% average critic score

Buy Magic 2015 - Duels of the Planeswalkers

Play time

42hMedian play time
93hAverage play time
8-153hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 28 analyzed playthroughs

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