Magic Duels
- July 29, 2015
- Stainless Games Ltd.
- 57h median play time
Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
Get on Steam"Magic Duels" is a free-to-play digital collectible card game based on the popular "Magic: The Gathering" franchise. The game offers a tutorial system, solo campaigns, and multiplayer modes, allowing players to build their own decks and compete against others online. With over 1,300 cards available and regular updates, "Magic Duels" provides a deep and engaging card game experience.
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Reviews
- Great for learning the mechanics of Magic: The Gathering, especially for new players.
- Fun and engaging gameplay with a variety of cards and deck-building options.
- Free-to-play model allows players to earn cards without spending money, making it accessible.
- Pay-to-win elements make it difficult for free players to compete against those who spend money.
- Frequent bugs and connectivity issues can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustration.
- Limited card availability and restrictions on deck-building can hinder the overall experience.
- story87 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story mode of the game is generally well-received, offering enjoyable gameplay and a solid introduction to the mechanics of Magic: The Gathering through engaging narratives and skill quests. However, players express frustration with the limitations of deck-building options and the reliance on daily quests that often require PvP participation, which can hinder progress for those without competitive decks. Overall, while the story mode provides a fun experience and a way to earn in-game currency, it is marred by issues such as bugs and a perceived lack of depth in deck customization.
“The story mode is very well built, with interesting duels that change the original dynamic of the game in a fun way.”
“I'm really enjoying the story mode, and getting to know the planeswalkers.”
“The story mode and skill quests are great to introduce Magic: The Gathering's mechanics.”
“The story mode gives you the illusion that there is a possibility to earn enough good cards to create a good deck, but it's still an illusion.”
“Only problem is the story mode; its decks are some of the worst I've ever seen.”
“The decks in the story mode are mostly not fun and it feels a bit shattered, but there are moments that it is fun.”
- gameplay47 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Magic Duels is generally seen as a solid introduction to the Magic: The Gathering mechanics, particularly for new players, with engaging story modes and skill challenges that effectively teach game mechanics. However, it suffers from various bugs, slow pacing, and a limited competitive environment, which can frustrate experienced players. While the free-to-play model offers enjoyable gameplay hours, the reliance on in-game purchases and some broken mechanics detracts from the overall experience.
“Mtg duels is a free to play game, and even if you stick to playing just the story mode and completing the challenges that the current 7 stories which complement the 7 decks available in the game, it will offer you a good few hours of enjoyable gameplay.”
“It does an excellent job introducing you to each new game mechanic as you first encounter them, by essentially pausing the game and launching a 'skill quest' that demonstrates the new mechanic to you in a quick puzzle before dropping you back into your match.”
“Great fast-paced gameplay with a riveting storyline.”
“0% gameplay, and rule bugs.”
“Broken mechanics.”
“They basically took the strategic gameplay of Magic: The Gathering and dressed it up with a free-to-play algorithm, so unless you pay to win by buying absurd amounts of cards, you have to play ten thousand free-to-play games to make the coins to buy those cards.”
- stability31 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The game is widely criticized for its severe stability issues, with players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. Many users have experienced problems with matchmaking, loading times, and in-game mechanics, leading to a frustrating experience overall. While some players note occasional smooth gameplay, the overwhelming consensus is that the game is currently too buggy to be considered playable.
“However, if you want the most bug-free version of the game, then play Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013.”
“It is the most bug-free of every single game these developers have made.”
“The game is incredibly buggy when it comes to inviting other players.”
“On the technical side, it's so buggy that a nuclear can of raid would not even start to reduce the level of bugs.”
“This game is still so buggy and prone to disconnects.”
- grinding21 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while some players find it enjoyable and manageable, many express frustration over the tediousness and time investment required to unlock competitive cards and boosters. Although the game is free-to-play, the grind can feel excessive, especially for those unwilling to spend money, leading to a sense of monotony and limited rewards. Overall, while the deck-building and gameplay are praised, the grinding is often cited as a significant drawback.
“Fun, deckbuilding is just as great as gameplay and not too grindy for being free.”
“I love the game even though it is very grindy, but I would love it more if they would add more sets like Tarkir and Theros.”
“Players, however, if you are a huge Magic fan, then you'll love that the game is free to play, but may grow tired of the monotonous grinding for boosters and long loss streaks in attempts to get better cards with less frustrating outcomes.”
“Loved the old Magic: The Gathering games - but this one is far too grindy and cheap with its currency when trying to unlock new decks.”
“Grinding for cards takes too long and coins are too expensive.”
- graphics19 mentions
- 68 % positive mentions
- 16 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players finding them generic and reminiscent of older titles, while others praise the beautiful artwork and improved visuals compared to previous iterations. Many appreciate the user-friendly interface and the immersive experience of the card designs, though there are calls for more dynamic animations. Overall, the graphics are considered a significant step up from past games in the genre, enhancing both gameplay and the lore of the magic universe.
“Amazing graphics, nice effects, sounds, etc. :) Keep up the good work, and I am expecting to see great things from a game like this!”
“Beautiful artwork, hundreds of cards, and intuitive gameplay.”
“The artwork on the cards is very good; the story mode is a great way to do the tutorial.”
“Graphics are just the cards, a boring table, generic effects like fireballs and lightnings... even tablets could do better.”
“The cut scenes reminded me of video graphics from old games like Dungeon Keeper.”
“I would have preferred moving artwork instead.”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some praise it as top-notch and beautifully integrated with the story, others criticize the repetitive nature of having only one track, which can become grating over time. Additionally, there are suggestions for more diverse soundtracks and improvements in sound effects and battle audio. Overall, the soundtrack is appreciated but could benefit from more variety.
“The music, as always, is top notch.”
“Beautiful, nice story, and great music.”
“Good so far, great graphics and soundtrack.”
“There is only 1 music track playing throughout the whole game, and it will drive you insane after the 2nd loop.”
“Music and sound effects could also use some work.”
“I wish there were more soundtracks and better battle graphics and voices!”
- monetization7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 57 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for relying heavily on intrusive in-game ads and microtransactions, leading many players to feel it prioritizes profit over player experience. While some users appreciate the option to progress without spending money, the overall sentiment leans towards viewing the game as a cash grab.
“Great game, a lot of optional in-game purchase options, combat is slow.”
“I'm a firm believer in not paying for microtransactions, so I'm grinding away at the free path, and it's pleasantly reasonable about the pace.”
“Don't waste your time or money until they stop using this thing as a cheap cash grab.”
“Basically this game feels like a cash grab.”
“It also resorts to annoying 'rate us' and 'go check out x in the store' in-game ads frequently.”
- humor4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag; while some players find it enjoyable and appreciate the funny elements that contribute to the overall experience, others feel that the game's pay-to-win mechanics detract from the fun, leading to frustration rather than laughter. Overall, it seems that the humor can enhance the gameplay for some, but it may not resonate with everyone.
“It is funny.”
“Nice and funny game that keeps you growing and learning, with nice stories and a good balance.”
“The game has its moments, but the humor often falls flat and feels forced.”
“I expected a lot of laughs, but the jokes are stale and unoriginal.”
“The attempts at humor are cringeworthy and detract from the overall experience.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is criticized for its poor performance, frequent crashes, and lack of essential features found in previous generations, leading to a frustrating experience for players.
“Coupled with poor performance and random crashes, the game lacks key features that previous generations had, one of the most notable being text chat.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game offers replayability through daily quests and a competitive ranking ladder, though some players feel that the progression lacks meaningful depth.
“The game adds replay value with daily quests and a competitive ranking ladder, keeping players engaged.”
“Each playthrough feels fresh due to the variety of choices and outcomes available.”
“The dynamic events and challenges ensure that no two sessions are ever the same, enhancing replayability.”
“It adds replay value by having daily quests as well as a ranking ladder to compete on, although they don't seem to go anywhere but up.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again since the side quests feel repetitive and uninspired.”
“The game lacks meaningful choices that would encourage multiple playthroughs; once you've seen the ending, there's not much left to explore.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express a desire for a more meaningful and efficient deck-building experience in Magic: The Gathering, emphasizing the importance of avoiding "waste of time" cards to enhance their emotional investment in the game.
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by atmospheric campaigns that effectively introduce players to new sets while providing opportunities to earn in-game currency. This immersive experience contributes to a deeper engagement with the game's world.
“The atmospheric campaigns beautifully introduce you to each new set while also allowing you to earn coins.”
“The immersive atmosphere draws you in, making every moment feel alive and engaging.”
“The game's environment is rich and detailed, creating a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
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